SHIJIAZHUANG, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A handwritten family tree of a famous official dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was discovered in north China's Hebei Province, according to local authorities.

The family tree belonged to Zhu Zhengse, a virtuous official, who used to be a county magistrate and worked for the military department. Zhang Juzheng, a renowned politician of the Ming Dynasty once praised Zhu as "honest, diligent and hardworking and of excellent character."

The handwritten family tree was found in Zhuying Village of Jiasong Town. With clear and neat handwriting, the thread-bound family tree was completed in December 1585. The manuscript recorded the development of Zhu's pedigree branches and his education and work experience, as well as Zhu's family rules, instructions, rituals and mottoes.

"The well-preserved family genealogy of Zhu is of great historical value to the study of the history of Zhu Zhengse, and the politics, economy, culture, society, calligraphy and the family tradition of the Ming Dynasty," said Lan Jianhui, a literature and history expert.