New local gazetteers from China

Abstract

Purpose -New (post-1949) Chinese local gazetteers are one of the major primary resources for contemporary China Studies in the field of history, social sciences, humanities and sciences. Major research libraries in North America have collected them; however, the research value of this series of publications has not yet fully explored. This paper aims at examining how new local gazetteers have been compiled, the scope of their content and research value, and how scholars have used them. Design/methodology/approach -The paper explores the scope and importance of the new Chinese local gazetteers collection through reviewing relevant regulations, policies and guidelines regarding compilation of the new local gazetteers, and randomly examining over 30 provincial, city and county gazetteers. Findings -The paper provides a detailed account of publishing history of this collection; rich and unique research information available; and approaches to collection development, including utilizing digitized gazetteers by Chinese governments. Originality/value -The paper explores the development of new Chinese local gazetteers in a more systematic way and adds to the current literature on the unique research value this collection has to offer.

The Causes of China's Great Famine, 1959-1961: County-Level Evidence

“…The information and data in the Local Chronicles are sourced from official archives and from the local communities. The Local Chronicles are described in more detail in Xue (2010). This archival data has been used in recent studies.…”

Historical data for conservation: reconstructing range changes of Chinese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla ) in eastern China (1970–2016)

“…by detecting major shifts in records of occurrence with a historical perspective [14–18]. The compilation of local historical documents is systematized across most of China and has been maintained at a reasonably high spatial resolution (mostly at the prefecture level) since 1950 [19]. These documents often include objective information on species at a local level, including distribution, population estimates and local trade [14,20].…”

Reconstructing the historical distribution of the Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) in Northeast China based on historical records

“…Local gazetteers, called “ difangzhi ” (地方志), also translated as local records or annals, contain abundant information on environmental conditions and resources in China ( Wen et al 2006 ; Looney 2008 ). New gazetteers typically record considerable local ecological data from the 1950s, including animal records, as well as economic, political and demographic information ( Looney 2008 ; Xue 2010 ). Most of them are compiled following a specific “scientific” natural history tradition and this makes it easy to identify the species records.…”