KEY RESOURCES

FIBIS

The Families in British India Society ( fibis.org) is a useful starting point. It holds a vast array of records from 1600 -1947, including census and birth, marriage and death announcements – plus records relating to the East India Company. FIBIS is constantly adding new material and some FIBIS data is on findmypast.co.uk.

INDIA ARMY RECORDS

There were two armies in India until 1859, Firstly, the British Army, which was raised in England and spent time in India. Its records are at TNA ( national archives.gov.uk). Then there was the Honourable Company ( East India Company) Army, which was raised in India and only served there. Its records are held in the Oriental and India Office Collections at the British Library ( bl.uk). Following the 1859 mutiny, The Honourable Company Army was absorbed into the British Army.

INDIA OFFICE

This website ( indiafamily.bl.uk) is part of the British Library’s offering and has records relating to the administration of India from 1600-1947. You can search 300,000 births, baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials held among the India Office records. You can also search biographical notes from many sources and for details of British and European people in India. The site holds information from EIC military records, memorial inscriptions, reference books, journals and newspapers. Many of the records are on Findmypast.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Ask immediate and extended family and see what photos they have of your ancestors. You never know what you might find. The photo of Ian’s parents’ wedding was the only proof of his Anglo- Indian heritage. It wouldn’t have been obvious from the records that Jane Pearce had Indian blood.