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The Indian section of the IGI deals almost exclusively with Europeans and Anglo-Indians (Eurasians). In 1994, there were about 240,000 names for India. If you have a more up-to-date count, then please update this page.
The Indian section of the IGI deals almost exclusively with Europeans and Anglo-Indians (Eurasians). In 1994, there were about 240,000 names for India. If you have a more up-to-date count, then please update this page.


You can view the Indian data online using the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp Advanced Search] on the LDS’s  [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp Family Search] website. Select country "India" (or Singapore etc) You can also search using the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true IGI Search]. The data is almost, but not quite as extensive. Select region “Asia”. Then select country “India” or "All countries" for a wider area including countries such as Singapore, Malaysia etc. There is a facility to add batch numbers, see below.
A new website was introduced 28 April 2010. '''[https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch]'''. '''This is a free website'''.
<br>Details:
<br>First click on Search. To access the India and Ceylon records, then click on the map for “Asia and Middle East” and select either India, or Sri Lanka. Click on "Start researching in India".This will bring you to a Search facility which searches all the searchable databases for India (a handy new feature available from c October 2014). The direct link is [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/location/1927063 '''India''']. If you want to search a particular database (for baptisms, marriages or burials), click on "view all collections".  India related baptisms, marriages and burials can also be researched  at [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list#page=1&region=ASIA_MIDDLE_EAST  '''Asia and Middle East Records''']. The searchable India records are '''transcriptions''', are described as index records and do not contain images.


The Family Search website also includes a [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start Record Search Pilot], which is a pilot project to access online images of data. Currently (June 2010) it contains the data mentioned in the following paragraph, but this may change in the future.  
From this group of records, '''Sri Lanka, Colombo District Dutch Reformed Church Records 1677-1990''' are also available with images online, but are not searchable.  Note, this web page takes some time to load. An India List post gives some hints for browsing these [[Ceylon]] images.<ref>India List post  [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2011-02/1297851646 "LDS - Asia & Middle East - Sri Lanka/Colombo"] dated 16 February 2011 </ref>  Another series of images only (not searchable)(added March 2013), accessible from the same link  is [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/India,_Gujarat_Diocese_Church_Records_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) '''India, Gujarat Diocese Protestant Church Records, 1854-2012''']  Some of the records are in the Hindi and Gujarati languages, but there are some records in English, as evidenced by one of the [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/File:India,_Gujarat_Diocese_Church_Records_DGS_7251285_3_Baptism.jpg  sample records]  shown.


'''Recent Changes 28 April 2010'''
To confuse matters, the (small) number of records for "other" areas in Asia such as [[Macao]], [[Singapore]], [[Bencoolen]] etc available on the Family Search website  now are not found in the Asia category, but in the “All Published Collections” category , in a group of records called "World Miscellaneous" and may be accessed through the following links:''' [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1783956  World Miscellaneous Births and Baptisms], [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1809045 World Miscellaneous Marriages], [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1809046 World Miscellaneous Deaths and Burials]'''.  Included in this group are records from [[St. Helena]],  [[China]] and  a small number from [[Indonesia]], [[Iran]], previously Persia, and a few records from India and Bangladesh.<ref>[https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/World_Miscellaneous_Births_and_Baptisms,_Coverage_Table_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) World Miscellaneous Births and Baptisms, Coverage Table (FamilySearch Historical Records)] FamilySearch Wiki. Retrieved 19 September 2014</ref>
<br>'''Family Search has placed new records on a beta ("under construction") website, [http://fsbeta.familysearch.org/ fsbeta.FamilySearch.org]'''. To access the India and Ceylon records from this site, scroll down the page to “Browse by location” and select “Asia and Middle East”. However, India related records can be researched directly on the pilot site at [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails&c=fs%3A1584960 '''India Births and Baptisms, 1786-c 1910'''] [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails&c=fs%3A1584967 '''India Marriages, 1792-c 1935'''] [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails&c=fs%3A1584968 '''India Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948''']


[http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=waypoint&s=waypointsOnly&c=fs%3A1780708&w=0 '''Sri Lanka, Colombo District Dutch Reformed Church Records 1677-1990'''] are available with images online on the pilot search site, and also on the beta site. Note, the web page takes some time to load. (Available from August 2010)
The LDS website previously described  the records for India as "Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records" for births and baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. The current description is "Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City".  They in fact appear to be  based on the India Office [[Church records|church records]] at the British Library , including  the N/5 [[Princely states|Indian States]] records.<ref>India List [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/india/2010-10/1286947107 post 13 October 2010]</ref>  However, it appears that the records from the  [[LDS Microfilms for Church Records outside of the usual Presidencies#Madras Ecclesiastical Returns - Omissions and Corrections 1777-1884|Madras Ecclesiastical Returns - Omissions and Corrections 1777-1884]] are '''not''' included.<ref>Email to User:Maureene dated 20 July 2011 indicates two brothers, Joseph Thorpe, 18, who died 23 Dec 1853 and was buried in the "Old Cemetery" at Guntoor, Hyderabad Residency and George Benjamin Thorpe, 23, who died 29 Jun 1858 at Jaulnah , who appear in the Omissions Film for Madras Burial (“film B265”) are '''not''' included in the Family Search data.</ref>  Please note that on an individual basis the LDS record does not show all the details available on the original. Also not every India Office church record is recorded in the LDS database. Some individual entries are known to have been '''omitted''', probably due to error.<ref>
India List [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2010-04/1272583754 post dated 30 April 2010]</ref> 
In addition, '''for privacy reasons there appear to be no records shown for dates of birth after January-March 1910, or marriages after January-March 1935'''. (For alternative records, refer below). Death records are available to 1948. Some of the records contain the description Race: White. This should be disregarded as it is a fabrication as the original IOR church records do not contain a classification for race at all. (The few records that do have a classifation for race use the terminology European not white).


The original website [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp FamilySearch] continues and in time the two sites will be merged into the new site.
If you are searching for a name which could have various spellings, you can search using a single letter replaced by a wildcard question mark '''?''', or the multiple character wildcard asterisk ''' *''' <ref> [https://familysearch.org/blog/en/searching-wildcards-familysearch-2/  Searching with Wildcards in FamilySearch] FamilySearch Blog</ref>


The LDS website  description of the records is "Index to selected India" births and baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. They appear to be  based on the India Office [[Church records|church records]] at the British Library , including  the N/5 [[Princely states|Indian States]] records. Please note that on an individual basis the LDS record does not show all the details available on the original. Also not every India Office church record is recorded in the LDS database. There appear to be no records shown for dates of birth after January-March 1910, or marriages after January-March 1935. Death records are available to 1948. Some of the records contain the description Race: White. This should be disregarded as it is a fabrication as the original IOR church records do not contain a classification for race at all. (The few records that do have a classifation for race use the terminology European not white).
Note that the FamilySearch databases are also available on the pay site Ancestry, (world wide subscription) under the titles "India, Select Marriages 1792-1948"; "India, Select Marriages, 1792-1948"; "India, Select Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948". These records are transcriptions without images.The privacy restrictions appear to be the same as the FamilySearch restrictions.  


In addition, the Family Search website contains the LDS [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Library Catalogue] for all the LDS microfilms, as does the new beta site. Currently June 2010, the catalogue on the beta website has some problems, and it is better to use the original website for the Library Catalogue. [http://www.londonfhc.org/ London Family History Centre] has a film catalogue for the [http://www.londonfhc.org/content/catalogue?p=Indian+Subcontinent  Indian Subcontinent] and for  [http://www.londonfhc.org/content/catalogue?c=221&p=Indian+Subcontinent,India  India] in a different format to the main catalogue, classified  by geographical region.
To find out details of microfilms which may be ordered from FamilySearch, use the '''[https://familysearch.org/catalog-search  FamilySearch Library catalogue]''' <br>
[http://www.londonfhc.org/ London Family History Centre] has a film catalogue for the [http://www.londonfhc.org/content/catalogue?p=Indian+Subcontinent  Indian Subcontinent] and for  [http://www.londonfhc.org/content/catalogue?c=221&p=Indian+Subcontinent,India  India] in a different format to the main catalogue, classified  by geographical region.


You can view all online data at [[Family History Centres]] (FHC) if you do not otherwise have online access. You may need to book a computer at the FHC.
You can view all online data at [[Family History Centres|FamilySearch Centres]] (previously known as Family History Centres) (FHC) if you do not otherwise have online access. You may need to book a computer at the FHC.
 
This website has maintenance done in the  middle of the night Utah time, when it may be unavailable, or perhaps partially available when it may become unreliable when searching. Come back another time. (Utah time is UK time less seven hours)
 
'''If you have found a record from the India Births, Marriages or Burials on Family Search, as stated previously  please be aware that this is not a full record. It is recommended that you view the original entry from the microfilm  quoted.''' This will almost always contain occupational information which may provide a valuable clue for the location of further records. In addition, you can check that there have been no transcription errors. Information about ordering microfilms  may be found in the article [[Family History Centres]].  Note also that there is an alternative way to obtain a copy of a record, as '''most of the record images are now available on the pay website [[Findmypast|findmypast]]'''. If the image is available on findmypast, this will be the most convenient method for most people.


===Using LDS microfilms===
===Using LDS microfilms===
See the Fibiwiki pages below for more details.


Note that some films have been transcribed by LDS. To read how LDS batch numbers can help you search ,and to help you to cut down needlessly searching elsewhere, refer to [[India Office Ecclesiastical Returns Microfilm Numbers and the LDS equivalent]]
*[[Using LDS Microfilms]]
 
:Instructions on how to use the microfilmed copies of the Ecclesiatical Returns and their indexes at an LDS [[Family History Centres| Family History Centre]]. Read these instructions if you are searching for '''records of births after 1910, or marriages after 1935''' which are not shown online on FamilySearch because of privacy reasons. Note however the records sent to England '''declined in number from the early 1930s'''  with minimal numbers in the 1940s.
*[[Using LDS Microfilms | How to Use Church Records on Microfilm]]
Instructions on how to use the microfilmed copies of the Ecclesiatical Returns and their indexes at an LDS Family History Centre.  


*[[LDS Microfilms for Bengal Presidency Church Records]]
*[[LDS Microfilms for Bengal Presidency Church Records]]
A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Bengal church records.  
:A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Bengal church records.  


*[[LDS Microfilms for Madras Presidency Church Records]]
*[[LDS Microfilms for Madras Presidency Church Records]]
A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Madras church records.  
:A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Madras church records.  


*[[LDS Microfilms for Bombay Presidency Church Records]]
*[[LDS Microfilms for Bombay Presidency Church Records]]
A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Bombay church records.
:A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Bombay church records.


*[[LDS Microfilms of Church registers in India]]
*[[LDS Microfilms of Church registers in India]]
A list of microfilm numbers of  registers from churches throughout India, except the Portuguese colony of Goa. These are records which are not covered by the APAC holdings. The majority are Roman Catholic churches but also included are records from the Church of Scotland in Bombay and Madras, together with some Syrian and  Armenian churches and a few miscellaneous entries.
:A list of microfilm numbers of  registers from churches throughout India, except the Portuguese colony of Goa. These are records which are not covered by the APAC holdings. The majority are Roman Catholic churches but also included are records from the Church of Scotland in Bombay and Madras, together with some Syrian and  Armenian churches and a few miscellaneous entries.


*[[Goa Church Records]]
*[[Goa Church Records]]
A list of  microfilm numbers of registers from churches in the former Portuguese colony of Goa
:A list of  microfilm numbers of registers from churches in the former Portuguese colony of Goa
   
   
*[[LDS Microfilms for Church Records outside of the usual Presidencies]]
*[[LDS Microfilms for Church Records outside of the usual Presidencies]]
Lists of microfilms of European church records in India that do not fall under the usual three Presidencies. These include Native States, some Catholic records and post-Independence church records.  
:Lists of microfilms of European church records in India that do not fall under the usual three Presidencies. These include Native States, some Catholic records and post-Independence church records and "Madras Ecclesiastical Returns - Omissions and Corrections 1777-1884"
 
*[[India Office Ecclesiastical Returns Microfilm Numbers and the LDS equivalent]]
:Contains microfilm numbers for the three Presidencies and explains how LDS batch numbers can help you search, especially if you are researching unusual names which may have various spellings.
 
==Unfilmed church records==
Should you wish to suggest to a church that they allow FamilySearch to digitise their records see [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Live_Research_Assistance:_Ready_Reference#Film_Digitization_Requests Film Digitisation Requests: FamilySearch Wiki] but it would be best to check first with FamilySearch Help (top right hand corner of the website) that the contact details are current.
 
== References ==
<references />
 
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[[Category:Research methods]] [[Category:Records]]
[[Category:Research methods]] [[Category:Records]]

Revision as of 04:28, 4 January 2015

IGI stands for International Genealogical Index. The IGI is an enormous database created and maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or LDS, also known as the Mormons. This page is not an official LDS page.

What is the IGI?

The Mormons have an extensive program to microfilm vast numbers of old records which are an aid to genealogy. For example, they microfilm records of churches of all denominations, ancient land tax records, military records, shipping lists, census records and so on. They make these microfilms available to all people, regardless of religion, and depending on your location, the microfilms can be viewed for free or for a small postage charge.

There are two ways an entry can be made into the IGI:

  • When a parish record (of any denomination) is microfilmed, the LDS church extracts the names and details of all christenings and marriages. These appear on the IGI as Extracted Records and are highly accurate. The record will include the film number.
  • Members of the LDS church submit their own information. These appear on the IGI as Submitted by LDS Member. These entries are of variable accuracy.

The IGI database has hundreds of millions of names on it. If you are new to genealogy, or if you are beginning to research a new family line, the IGI is a great place to start, but please bear in mind that it is not a complete coverage of all events, and that entries submitted by LDS members can sometimes be inaccurate.

India records

The Indian section of the IGI deals almost exclusively with Europeans and Anglo-Indians (Eurasians). In 1994, there were about 240,000 names for India. If you have a more up-to-date count, then please update this page.

A new website was introduced 28 April 2010. FamilySearch. This is a free website.
Details:
First click on Search. To access the India and Ceylon records, then click on the map for “Asia and Middle East” and select either India, or Sri Lanka. Click on "Start researching in India".This will bring you to a Search facility which searches all the searchable databases for India (a handy new feature available from c October 2014). The direct link is India. If you want to search a particular database (for baptisms, marriages or burials), click on "view all collections". India related baptisms, marriages and burials can also be researched at Asia and Middle East Records. The searchable India records are transcriptions, are described as index records and do not contain images.

From this group of records, Sri Lanka, Colombo District Dutch Reformed Church Records 1677-1990 are also available with images online, but are not searchable. Note, this web page takes some time to load. An India List post gives some hints for browsing these Ceylon images.[1] Another series of images only (not searchable)(added March 2013), accessible from the same link is India, Gujarat Diocese Protestant Church Records, 1854-2012 Some of the records are in the Hindi and Gujarati languages, but there are some records in English, as evidenced by one of the sample records shown.

To confuse matters, the (small) number of records for "other" areas in Asia such as Macao, Singapore, Bencoolen etc available on the Family Search website now are not found in the Asia category, but in the “All Published Collections” category , in a group of records called "World Miscellaneous" and may be accessed through the following links: World Miscellaneous Births and Baptisms, World Miscellaneous Marriages, World Miscellaneous Deaths and Burials. Included in this group are records from St. Helena, China and a small number from Indonesia, Iran, previously Persia, and a few records from India and Bangladesh.[2]

The LDS website previously described the records for India as "Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records" for births and baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. The current description is "Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City". They in fact appear to be based on the India Office church records at the British Library , including the N/5 Indian States records.[3] However, it appears that the records from the Madras Ecclesiastical Returns - Omissions and Corrections 1777-1884 are not included.[4] Please note that on an individual basis the LDS record does not show all the details available on the original. Also not every India Office church record is recorded in the LDS database. Some individual entries are known to have been omitted, probably due to error.[5] In addition, for privacy reasons there appear to be no records shown for dates of birth after January-March 1910, or marriages after January-March 1935. (For alternative records, refer below). Death records are available to 1948. Some of the records contain the description Race: White. This should be disregarded as it is a fabrication as the original IOR church records do not contain a classification for race at all. (The few records that do have a classifation for race use the terminology European not white).

If you are searching for a name which could have various spellings, you can search using a single letter replaced by a wildcard question mark ?, or the multiple character wildcard asterisk * [6]

Note that the FamilySearch databases are also available on the pay site Ancestry, (world wide subscription) under the titles "India, Select Marriages 1792-1948"; "India, Select Marriages, 1792-1948"; "India, Select Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948". These records are transcriptions without images.The privacy restrictions appear to be the same as the FamilySearch restrictions.

To find out details of microfilms which may be ordered from FamilySearch, use the FamilySearch Library catalogue
London Family History Centre has a film catalogue for the Indian Subcontinent and for India in a different format to the main catalogue, classified by geographical region.

You can view all online data at FamilySearch Centres (previously known as Family History Centres) (FHC) if you do not otherwise have online access. You may need to book a computer at the FHC.

This website has maintenance done in the middle of the night Utah time, when it may be unavailable, or perhaps partially available when it may become unreliable when searching. Come back another time. (Utah time is UK time less seven hours)

If you have found a record from the India Births, Marriages or Burials on Family Search, as stated previously please be aware that this is not a full record. It is recommended that you view the original entry from the microfilm quoted. This will almost always contain occupational information which may provide a valuable clue for the location of further records. In addition, you can check that there have been no transcription errors. Information about ordering microfilms may be found in the article Family History Centres. Note also that there is an alternative way to obtain a copy of a record, as most of the record images are now available on the pay website findmypast. If the image is available on findmypast, this will be the most convenient method for most people.

Using LDS microfilms

See the Fibiwiki pages below for more details.

Instructions on how to use the microfilmed copies of the Ecclesiatical Returns and their indexes at an LDS Family History Centre. Read these instructions if you are searching for records of births after 1910, or marriages after 1935 which are not shown online on FamilySearch because of privacy reasons. Note however the records sent to England declined in number from the early 1930s with minimal numbers in the 1940s.
A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Bengal church records.
A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Madras church records.
A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Bombay church records.
A list of microfilm numbers of registers from churches throughout India, except the Portuguese colony of Goa. These are records which are not covered by the APAC holdings. The majority are Roman Catholic churches but also included are records from the Church of Scotland in Bombay and Madras, together with some Syrian and Armenian churches and a few miscellaneous entries.
A list of microfilm numbers of registers from churches in the former Portuguese colony of Goa
Lists of microfilms of European church records in India that do not fall under the usual three Presidencies. These include Native States, some Catholic records and post-Independence church records and "Madras Ecclesiastical Returns - Omissions and Corrections 1777-1884"
Contains microfilm numbers for the three Presidencies and explains how LDS batch numbers can help you search, especially if you are researching unusual names which may have various spellings.

Unfilmed church records

Should you wish to suggest to a church that they allow FamilySearch to digitise their records see Film Digitisation Requests: FamilySearch Wiki but it would be best to check first with FamilySearch Help (top right hand corner of the website) that the contact details are current.

References

  1. India List post "LDS - Asia & Middle East - Sri Lanka/Colombo" dated 16 February 2011
  2. World Miscellaneous Births and Baptisms, Coverage Table (FamilySearch Historical Records) FamilySearch Wiki. Retrieved 19 September 2014
  3. India List post 13 October 2010
  4. Email to User:Maureene dated 20 July 2011 indicates two brothers, Joseph Thorpe, 18, who died 23 Dec 1853 and was buried in the "Old Cemetery" at Guntoor, Hyderabad Residency and George Benjamin Thorpe, 23, who died 29 Jun 1858 at Jaulnah , who appear in the Omissions Film for Madras Burial (“film B265”) are not included in the Family Search data.
  5. India List post dated 30 April 2010
  6. Searching with Wildcards in FamilySearch FamilySearch Blog