First of all, I am Adam Maddock…Sams new friend… we have not officially met yet, but i feel like I’ve learned so much about your family just by going through all these posts (and youtube videos) and hearing all these great and seemingly impossibly random stories that she has shared. What a great blog and you have such a wonderful and conversational writing style. I think it is so great to be able to trace back your side and also the japanese side of your family. Sam was sharing some of the remarkable stories and findings that you have had and it must just be a great experience to search and hunt for your past like that. I would very much like to get involved with this and begin research on my own family tree. Any advice on where to even start would be great.
Anyways, you have just a beautiful and creative daughter. I am so jealous of her talents and eye for things and feel very fortunate to have been able to get to know her over the past couple of weeks. Hope to see you out in the District sometime soon!
Dear Linda:
I came across your blog while searching for info on the Gila River Camp. Looks like a wonderful journey. A few years ago I entered a competetion to design a memorial for the Gila site. My design was a contemplative garden, where visitors might meditate and remember. My design was not selected, but I spent some time immersed in the subject. I have tried since to research and see what memorial was actually built. It looks like the Native American Visitor’s Center is closed (supposedly this center housed artifacts from the Camp). I would still like to see a xeriscape garden built there — to provide solace and seating for the infrequent but important visitors. Any insights?
Hi Linda,
I am a part-Japanese yonsei from Hawaii, and I have enjoyed reading about your journey! I have read much about the Japanese-American experienc eon the mainland, but I would like to learn more about the Japanese-American experience from a fellow researcher! Please feel free to contact me, I would love to exchange notes!
I stumbled across your site in search of my family crest, “Okazaki”. I have learned quite a deal from it. However all my efforts end in the “Iyasu Tokugawa” crest. Would you be able to grant me some insight on the findings or perhaps point me in the direction I’m looking for?
Hello Linda,
I have greatly enjoyed your blog and just registered for the Nikkei Genealogical Society web site (you mentioned the group in your blog). I also wanted to attend your presentation in Oakland but couldn’t make it. Will you be doing another. My cousin is Eldon Okakaki and he lives in San Jose but i doubt he is directly related. I am taking a cruise to Japan but so far i have not been able to track down any living relatives there so it will mainly be a visit of typical tourist sites.
Thank you for the comments. It’s always nice to get positive feedback.
My class will likely be repeated later this fall, probably at the California Genealogical Society and possibly at another location, too. Additionally, I will be hosting two free and informal discussion groups for Nikkei at the California Genealogical Society. Dates are still to be determined but looking to be the first Saturdays in August and September. These discussions will be followed by a free introduction to genealogy. The details will be posted in our society newsletter and blog. You may subscribe to them for free be going to the website CaliforniaAncestors.org.
I will present a shorter version of the workshop at the JACL convention in San Jose this summer.
As for the Nikkei Genealogical Society, it is still in the formative stages and will be based in Los Angeles.
No connection to Eldon Okazaki. It’s not a very uncommon name.
Feel free to contact me at tlokazaki@aol.com if you need further assistance. I am not able to take new clients for research at the moment, but can always answer some questions.
Hi Linda,
I missed your seminar in San Jose by less than a month! I have so many questions that could have been answered. When is your next event in Northern California? I may be able to attend in So Cal depending on the dates.
Hi Sherri,
My next class in San Jose is in October, but I’m open to scheduling more with other groups. I will be doing a short lecture in Burbank on May 24 on Internment Records. I also do private consultations. Let me know what interests you. My business email is LindaHOkazaki@gmail.com.
Linda
My name is Kimie Candelaria. I am trying to find research on my grandmother. Who was born in Tokyo Japan. So far I have had no luck. And I do not know what to do. If someone could possibly help me. I would be so thankful.
Hello Kimie, Thank you for your message. Although I can’t take on any new clients at the moment, I would be happy to give you some advice. Please feel free to email me at lindahokazaki@gmail.com and give me any details that you know. Linda
Hi Linda, I saw your post about the family search center in Tokyo. There is an address, but I was wondering if you had a phone number, e-mail and/or web address for me to contact them. I have some questions about resources they may or may have access to. Thank you.
Hello Gregor, Thank you for your message. You can send an email to JapaneseSupport@FamilySearch.org. Mail address is 5-10-30 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106, Japan. Phone, 011-81-3-3440-2764. If there is something specific you want to know, feel free to ask me and I’ll see if I can help.
Linda
I’m glad you responded to my email so that I could save you a trip.
FamilySearch is no longer sending microfilm for viewing anywhere. In the past, you would order the film to be sent to your local family history center. In this case, that would be the center in Tokyo. Unfortunately, that process ended this past September. Family Search is in the process of digitizing all microfilm and hopes to have these completed in 2020. In the meantime, the only place to view these is either at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, or at a Family History Library which already holds the film (such as a center in Italy). I can say with near certainty that the Tokyo center will NOT have this film. Your choice is to hire someone to research these documents or to wait until you can go to Salt Lake yourself. Though I will be there in January and April, I do not read Italian. I suggest contacting someone at APG (Association of Professional Genealogists) who specializes in Italian and can do the research for you. You can also contact someone at the Family History Center in SLC, though you would need to tell them specifically what you are looking for.
My husband and I lived in Japan for a few years as ex-pats. I loved it and hope you are having a grand time, as well.
Good luck with your search! If you have other questions, my email is LindaHOkazaki@gmail.com.
Linda, I was looking again and I guess this is not microfilm. When you click on the link you click the symbol with the camera to access the images. The key above the camera means you need to use their computers to see the images
Forgive me for not looking at the link more closely. In this situation, I suggest you call the phone number I gave you and see if it is possible to view the films from the Tokyo site. If that request is not successful, I suggest you contact SLC and see what you can do to rectify the situation. I do have one request. Would you kindly keep me informed of your progress? It would be most beneficial if I could use your experience to guide other researchers. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yeah, no problem. I’m happy to help other people that want to do research. I’ve gotten so much help from groups on FB and other people, like yourself, that I’ve met along the way.
Hi,
I am helping with genealogy research for Wayne Uyeda. I am with the Kern County Genealogical Society located in Bakersfield, California. Both of Wayne’s grandparents are buried in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. I have tried to locate them on findagrave with no luck. The names of his grandparents are Gengoro Uyeda born Sept. 10, 1897, died, Feb. 7, 1993, San Jose, and Torea (Shimosaka) Uyeda born Feb. 19, 1902 and
died Feb. 21, 1996 San Jose, CA. I am trying to locate their graves and if possible any information on the family. We have information on all four of their children. In both Gengoro’s and Torae’s case we have little on their parents. Any help you can provide will be appreciated. Thank you for creating this site. Lynda Finch
How exciting that you are working on the genealogy for Wayne Uyeda. I specialize in Japanese American research and Wayne is a bit of a JA hero. Are you sure they are “buried” in San Jose? Have you ordered the death certificates? The death certificates probably have the name of the cemetery and from there you can probably get the plot #s. That said, it is very common for Japanese to have the bodies cremated and then place either in the family butsudan (altar) or returned to Japan and placed in the family cemetery. You also need to order the camp files from NARA in Washington DC and the koseki in Japan. From there, you can order land records in Japan and contact living individuals.
I hope this helps. If you have additional questions, please send an email to LindaHOkazaki@gmail.com.
Hello. I was given your information from Yuzo San. I would love to tell you all about my family. I am 100% Japanese but grew up thinking I was mixed race. My father, my mother’s Husband, an American, is the only father I know. Yet, because I look all Japanese, I finally took two dna tests which confirmed I am 109% Japanese.
I understand you create wonderful stories from family kosekis. I have a scroll which goes back several hundred years. My family would love what you and Yuzo San can turn into a story for us. Thank you!
Linda's Orchard 
Hi Linda!
I like your site, nicely laid out and pretty to look at.
Liz
Mrs. Okazaki-
First of all, I am Adam Maddock…Sams new friend… we have not officially met yet, but i feel like I’ve learned so much about your family just by going through all these posts (and youtube videos) and hearing all these great and seemingly impossibly random stories that she has shared. What a great blog and you have such a wonderful and conversational writing style. I think it is so great to be able to trace back your side and also the japanese side of your family. Sam was sharing some of the remarkable stories and findings that you have had and it must just be a great experience to search and hunt for your past like that. I would very much like to get involved with this and begin research on my own family tree. Any advice on where to even start would be great.
Anyways, you have just a beautiful and creative daughter. I am so jealous of her talents and eye for things and feel very fortunate to have been able to get to know her over the past couple of weeks. Hope to see you out in the District sometime soon!
Adam
Dear Linda:
I came across your blog while searching for info on the Gila River Camp. Looks like a wonderful journey. A few years ago I entered a competetion to design a memorial for the Gila site. My design was a contemplative garden, where visitors might meditate and remember. My design was not selected, but I spent some time immersed in the subject. I have tried since to research and see what memorial was actually built. It looks like the Native American Visitor’s Center is closed (supposedly this center housed artifacts from the Camp). I would still like to see a xeriscape garden built there — to provide solace and seating for the infrequent but important visitors. Any insights?
Hi Linda,
I am a part-Japanese yonsei from Hawaii, and I have enjoyed reading about your journey! I have read much about the Japanese-American experienc eon the mainland, but I would like to learn more about the Japanese-American experience from a fellow researcher! Please feel free to contact me, I would love to exchange notes!
Hi Ami. Thanks for the feedback. Feel free to contact me at tlokazaki@aol.com. I’m happy to compare notes or collaborate.
Hello Linda.
I stumbled across your site in search of my family crest, “Okazaki”. I have learned quite a deal from it. However all my efforts end in the “Iyasu Tokugawa” crest. Would you be able to grant me some insight on the findings or perhaps point me in the direction I’m looking for?
PS, awesome site, very informational.
Hello Linda,
I have greatly enjoyed your blog and just registered for the Nikkei Genealogical Society web site (you mentioned the group in your blog). I also wanted to attend your presentation in Oakland but couldn’t make it. Will you be doing another. My cousin is Eldon Okakaki and he lives in San Jose but i doubt he is directly related. I am taking a cruise to Japan but so far i have not been able to track down any living relatives there so it will mainly be a visit of typical tourist sites.
Hello Roger
Thank you for the comments. It’s always nice to get positive feedback.
My class will likely be repeated later this fall, probably at the California Genealogical Society and possibly at another location, too. Additionally, I will be hosting two free and informal discussion groups for Nikkei at the California Genealogical Society. Dates are still to be determined but looking to be the first Saturdays in August and September. These discussions will be followed by a free introduction to genealogy. The details will be posted in our society newsletter and blog. You may subscribe to them for free be going to the website CaliforniaAncestors.org.
I will present a shorter version of the workshop at the JACL convention in San Jose this summer.
As for the Nikkei Genealogical Society, it is still in the formative stages and will be based in Los Angeles.
No connection to Eldon Okazaki. It’s not a very uncommon name.
Feel free to contact me at tlokazaki@aol.com if you need further assistance. I am not able to take new clients for research at the moment, but can always answer some questions.
Linda
Hi Linda,
I missed your seminar in San Jose by less than a month! I have so many questions that could have been answered. When is your next event in Northern California? I may be able to attend in So Cal depending on the dates.
Hi Sherri,
My next class in San Jose is in October, but I’m open to scheduling more with other groups. I will be doing a short lecture in Burbank on May 24 on Internment Records. I also do private consultations. Let me know what interests you. My business email is LindaHOkazaki@gmail.com.
Linda
Linda,
I want to let you know that your blog is listed in today’s Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2015/09/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-september-4.html
Have a great weekend!
Thanks for posting, Jana. I really enjoyed reading through your blog.
My name is Kimie Candelaria. I am trying to find research on my grandmother. Who was born in Tokyo Japan. So far I have had no luck. And I do not know what to do. If someone could possibly help me. I would be so thankful.
Thank You
Hello Kimie, Thank you for your message. Although I can’t take on any new clients at the moment, I would be happy to give you some advice. Please feel free to email me at lindahokazaki@gmail.com and give me any details that you know. Linda
Hi Linda, I saw your post about the family search center in Tokyo. There is an address, but I was wondering if you had a phone number, e-mail and/or web address for me to contact them. I have some questions about resources they may or may have access to. Thank you.
Hello Gregor, Thank you for your message. You can send an email to JapaneseSupport@FamilySearch.org. Mail address is 5-10-30 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106, Japan. Phone, 011-81-3-3440-2764. If there is something specific you want to know, feel free to ask me and I’ll see if I can help.
Linda
Linday, thank you so much for the quick reply and information.
I’m an expat in Japan, so I’m not searching Japanese roots. I’m doing genealogy research and I’m trying to access some Italian records (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/750591?availability=Family%20History%20Library).
These seem to be only available at Family Search Centers and I was hoping I could look at them in Tokyo.
Hi Gregor,
I’m glad you responded to my email so that I could save you a trip.
FamilySearch is no longer sending microfilm for viewing anywhere. In the past, you would order the film to be sent to your local family history center. In this case, that would be the center in Tokyo. Unfortunately, that process ended this past September. Family Search is in the process of digitizing all microfilm and hopes to have these completed in 2020. In the meantime, the only place to view these is either at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, or at a Family History Library which already holds the film (such as a center in Italy). I can say with near certainty that the Tokyo center will NOT have this film. Your choice is to hire someone to research these documents or to wait until you can go to Salt Lake yourself. Though I will be there in January and April, I do not read Italian. I suggest contacting someone at APG (Association of Professional Genealogists) who specializes in Italian and can do the research for you. You can also contact someone at the Family History Center in SLC, though you would need to tell them specifically what you are looking for.
My husband and I lived in Japan for a few years as ex-pats. I loved it and hope you are having a grand time, as well.
Good luck with your search! If you have other questions, my email is LindaHOkazaki@gmail.com.
Linda
Linda, thanks again for replying and all the information. A little bit sad about this as I’m hot right now with searching for family files.
Bad timing on my part, cause I was in SLC a year ago. D’oh!
Yeah, Japan is great. I’ve been here for 14 years.
Linda, I was looking again and I guess this is not microfilm. When you click on the link you click the symbol with the camera to access the images. The key above the camera means you need to use their computers to see the images
Forgive me for not looking at the link more closely. In this situation, I suggest you call the phone number I gave you and see if it is possible to view the films from the Tokyo site. If that request is not successful, I suggest you contact SLC and see what you can do to rectify the situation. I do have one request. Would you kindly keep me informed of your progress? It would be most beneficial if I could use your experience to guide other researchers. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yeah, no problem. I’m happy to help other people that want to do research. I’ve gotten so much help from groups on FB and other people, like yourself, that I’ve met along the way.
Hi,
I am helping with genealogy research for Wayne Uyeda. I am with the Kern County Genealogical Society located in Bakersfield, California. Both of Wayne’s grandparents are buried in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. I have tried to locate them on findagrave with no luck. The names of his grandparents are Gengoro Uyeda born Sept. 10, 1897, died, Feb. 7, 1993, San Jose, and Torea (Shimosaka) Uyeda born Feb. 19, 1902 and
died Feb. 21, 1996 San Jose, CA. I am trying to locate their graves and if possible any information on the family. We have information on all four of their children. In both Gengoro’s and Torae’s case we have little on their parents. Any help you can provide will be appreciated. Thank you for creating this site. Lynda Finch
Hi Lynda,
How exciting that you are working on the genealogy for Wayne Uyeda. I specialize in Japanese American research and Wayne is a bit of a JA hero. Are you sure they are “buried” in San Jose? Have you ordered the death certificates? The death certificates probably have the name of the cemetery and from there you can probably get the plot #s. That said, it is very common for Japanese to have the bodies cremated and then place either in the family butsudan (altar) or returned to Japan and placed in the family cemetery. You also need to order the camp files from NARA in Washington DC and the koseki in Japan. From there, you can order land records in Japan and contact living individuals.
I hope this helps. If you have additional questions, please send an email to LindaHOkazaki@gmail.com.
Linda
Hello. I was given your information from Yuzo San. I would love to tell you all about my family. I am 100% Japanese but grew up thinking I was mixed race. My father, my mother’s Husband, an American, is the only father I know. Yet, because I look all Japanese, I finally took two dna tests which confirmed I am 109% Japanese.
I understand you create wonderful stories from family kosekis. I have a scroll which goes back several hundred years. My family would love what you and Yuzo San can turn into a story for us. Thank you!
Velma Jenkins
Miami, Florida
305-725-8151
Thanks, Velma. It was a pleasure speaking with you today. Have a terrific trip to Japan. Let’s follow in in a few months.
Linda