Confucius’ family tree sets record for world’s largest

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/04/19
By: Chiang Yuan-chen and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, April 19 (CNA) The Confucius genealogical line has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest family tree in history, containing the names of more than 2 million descendants, according to the latest edition of the Confucius genealogy book published in 2009.

The 2 million figure is thrice that included in the previous edition of the genealogy book for descendants from Confucius — the famous Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher — who lived 551–479 BC.

The first Confucius Genealogy was published in 1080 and has undergone a major revision every 60 years and a small revision every 30 years. The fourth edition, printed in 1937, contained 600,000 names.     [FULL  STORY]