Qian Clan

Overview

The Qian family is listed in Volume 78 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* as a branch of the Nikan surnames within the Manchu banner system, including two branches: Qian Jingchun and Qian Shidao. Qian Jingchun was a bondservant under the Plain White Banner, residing in Lannihe, with his year of submission unknown. His son, Qian Qizi, served as a warehouse manager, and his grandson, Qian Quan, served as an inner deputy manager. Qian Shidao was a bondservant under the Plain Blue Banner, originally from Shenyang. His great-grandson, Qian Qingyuan, served as a sixth-rank bondservant leader when the genealogy was compiled, and Changchun served as an eighth-rank official.

The warehouse manager was responsible for the safekeeping, disbursement, and related affairs of the warehouse. The inner deputy manager was involved in the management of subordinate service personnel and supplies. The bondservant leader was a management position within the bondservant system. All three were related to staffing and service, but their responsibilities differed. Therefore, Qian Qizi's warehouse duties cannot be directly attributed to Qian Quan's work.

The original genealogy clearly records Qian Qingyuan as a sixth-rank official and Changchun as an eighth-rank official; the latter has no specific official title and cannot be added as a bondservant simply because he was listed in the same rank as Qian Qingyuan. Lannihe is the ancestral home of Qian Jingchun's branch, and Shenyang belongs to Qian Shidao's branch; neither is equivalent to the post of their descendants. The exact year of their assimilation, the modern location of Lannihe, the complete lineage, and the term of office are still pending verification; the original entries and data are retained separately.