Hou Clan

Overview

The Hou family records two branches, Youcai and Baisihulang, in the section on Nikan surnames within the Manchu banners of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, Volume 78. Youcai belonged to the Bordered Yellow Banner under the jurisdiction of a bondservant leader, residing in Shenyang for generations; the year of his submission is unknown. His grandson, Liuge, served as the Yongding River Commissioner at the time the genealogy was compiled; Guozhu once served as an Assistant Secretary; his great-grandsons Changshu served as a Commander, Qishijiu as an Assistant Secretary, Taozhu as a seventh-rank official, and Bailing as a scribe; his great-great-grandson Yanfu was a Treasury Keeper.

"Yongding River Commissioner" here follows Liuge's name, indicating a position of official in charge of river affairs, not that Liuge's ancestral home was within the river area. Officials in local administration could specifically manage river works and water conservancy; Assistant Secretaries were government administrative positions; Commanders were involved in the management of banner garrisons; and Treasury Keepers handled treasury affairs.

Baisihulang belonged to the Plain White Banner under the jurisdiction of a bondservant leader, also residing in Shenyang for generations, submitting at the beginning of the dynasty, and once served as a Sacrificial Official. This title is related to officials in charge of ceremonial offerings. The electronic version's font still needs to be verified in conjunction with the original engraving and the census records; for now, the original title is retained. The scribe of the Youcai branch corresponds to the Manchu word "bithesi," handling document and translation matters. This section identifies individuals without Han surnames according to the Hou clan's headings; the complete lineage and specific duties of each branch await verification.