Q: I am a Chinese-American. I am writing to you to trace back the history of my grandparents. My grandfather was a "shipping magnate". He and my grandmother lived in or around the Shanghai Harbor vicinity in the 1930s.

I would like to know where they lived, how they lived. I need the information to build up and write out a historical book. I hope that you can help me by providing any information pertaining to my ancestors. 

A: Please be aware that, based on the limited information you provided, no relevant archival records could be located in the holdings of the Shanghai Municipal Archives.

We suggest visiting the Shanghai Archives website and using the "Digital Documents Access" (数字档案查阅平台) to search the archival catalogs.

If you find useful catalog entries, you may visit the Shanghai Municipal Archives in person with your passport, or send someone on your behalf with valid identification to request access to the corresponding records.

Before visiting, please schedule an appointment via the website or by phone:

- Phone: +86-21-6275-3313

- Address: No 811 Qiancheng Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Source: Shanghai Municipal Archives Bureau