Korea Civil Service Examinations and Records of Officials and Employees - FamilySearch Historical Records

North Korea South Korea

What is in This Collection?
This collection will include records from Jeollabuk-do and Jeonju-si, South Korea. The records are in Korean and Chinese, dated from 1390 to 1900, and include Korean civil service examinations from the Joseon Dynasty, as well as records of officials and employees.

The civil service examinations under the Joseon dynasty were known as the gwageo. These difficult tests were central to most education during the Joseon dynasty and assessed the applicant’s knowledge of Chinese classics and, occasionally, technical skills. Passing the tests qualified individuals to enter into the higher governmental or aristocratic positions.

Reading These Records
These records are in Korean and Chinese. For help with reading these records see the following resources:
 * South Korean Language and Languages
 * Korean names
 * Korean Genealogy Guide online
 * English-Chinese Symbols Collection
 * Chinese Research Helps

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: Civil service examinations
 * Name of Employee
 * Date and Place of Birth
 * Names of Parents
 * Name of Spouse
 * Residence

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the person you are looking for
 * Approximate age
 * Approximate location of residence

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the birth date to calculate an approximate marriage date
 * Use the residence to search for other records in the area
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct
 * Check for variant spellings of the names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Korea.
 * North Korea Record Finder
 * South Korea Record Finder

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.