LIVERPOOL’S CHINESE FAMILY TREE
Opportunity to research Chinese ancestry
National Museums Liverpool (NML) is looking to work with people with Chinese heritage to help trace and develop their family trees as part of a project for the new Museum of Liverpool.
Liverpool’s Chinese Family Tree is a programme developed by NML as part of a China, Shanghai and Liverpool exhibition, on display in the Museum of Liverpool in 2011. The Museum of Liverpool due to open on the Pier Head in 2010.
The exhibition will be at the centre of the museum’s Global City gallery, exploring Liverpool’s significant and historic relationship with China focusing on themes such as trade, exchange, informal empire and community building.
NML want to work with 12 members of the public to help them research their Chinese heritage and draw up their family trees. The results will be used on National Museums Liverpool’s website, and six of the participants’ family histories will also go on public display in the special exhibition.
Lizzy Rodgers, community exhibition officer for the Museum of Liverpool said: “We are looking to work with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. From people with Chinese ancestry who were born in Liverpool, to people who have moved from China to Liverpool more recently. Although we’re particularly interested in working with people from or with family in Shanghai, this is not essential.
“Starting this summer, the 12 participants will attend about eight sessions where they will take an active role in researching their family histories, and gain free access to documents that could potentially unearth highly interesting stories about their ancestry.”
Participants should be comfortable giving information about themselves and their family history and contributing documents and photos which may go on public display. NML will provide interpretation and translation support throughout the project.
Application forms can be provided in English or Chinese. For further information or to apply, please contact Lizzy Rodgers on 0151 478 4439 or email lizzy.rodgers@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk before 22 May 2009.