Workshop: My China Roots: An SFPL Resource for Chinese Genealogy

Wednesday, 11/19/2025
11:00 - 12:00

Interested in researching Chinese ancestors? In this session, Clotilde Yap, Global Collections Manager at My China Roots, will demonstrate how to use My China Roots to search for records of Chinese ancestors in the USA, China and more. The database now counts over 7 million records of Chinese immigrant ancestors, including exclusion files, community directories, burial records, Chinese genealogy books (jiapu) and more. Clotilde will also present newly-added translation and transcription tools to power your discoveries without needing to read Chinese.

My China Roots Library Edition is available for free to all SFPL cardholders via the library's website. To access the database, select "My China Roots" on the library's Genealogy Resources at the Library webpage and log in with your SFPL library card number and PIN. Alternatively, visit any SFPL branch in person, then go to mychinarootslibrary.com to gain unlimited access to the collections.


Learn more about local history.

Connect to engaging discussions and performances related to the Chinese American community.


This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.


Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.


Public Notice and Disclaimer

This program uses a third-party website link. By clicking on the third-party website link, you will leave SFPL's website and enter a website not operated by SFPL. This service may collect personally identifying information about you, such as name, username, email address, and password. This service will treat the information it collects about you pursuant to its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of each third-party website or service that you visit or use, including those third parties with whom you interact through our Library services. For more information about these third-party links, please see the section of SFPL’s Privacy Policy describing Links to Other Sites.

The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.