382-yr-old handwritten family tree discovered in N China

SHIJIAZHUANG - A handwritten family tree dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was discovered in North China's Hebei province, according to local authorities.

The thread-bound family tree, found in Shuangpengtou village, Xingtai city, was completed in August 1637 and is well-preserved with clear and neat handwriting.

The manuscript recorded the pedigree of a family of Meng and the family's rules and rituals, and also described the politics, economy and culture around the city.

"The well-preserved family tree offers us valuable insight into the family rules and rituals, economy and culture in central and southern Hebei in the Ming Dynasty," said Lan Jianhui, an expert on culture and history in the city.