Genealogy of the South Korean branch of the Confucius family.

Genealogy of the South Korean branch of the Confucius family.

The third discovery is of a long-lost branch of the Confucius family in Henan Province.

Their ancestor was 37th-generation Kong Qican who lived during the reigns of Emperors Daizong (762-779) and Dezong (780-805) of the Tang Dynasty. The family moved to Yongning in Henan (present Luoning County of Henan) and lost contact with the rest of the clan for 1,200 years.

The fourth discovery is of a group of descendants who moved to Taiwan from Fujian Province about 200 years ago.

Kong Dewei said that around 900 Taiwanese descendants of Confucius have been recorded in the genealogy, mainly from Ping Tung and Tao Yuan area of Taiwan.

Kong said today the ideas of Confucius were regaining popularity all over the world and his descendants are taking pride in rediscovering their heritage. He said more and more people were beginning to understand why updating the genealogy is important.

A Confucius memorial temple in Taiwan.