Directories reading list

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Old directories can yield invaluable snippets of information about such things as an ancestor's job, place of work, promotion, or even home address, in addition to more general information such as postage rates, distances between various localities, various government regulations, and who was in charge of what in a particular year. Many of them also list births, marriages and deaths, and ships’ passengers.

Ian Poyntz's Roots Mailing List website has more information on Directories and the holdings in many libraries around the world, including the British Library.

Searching directories that are available as online books is not as accurate as it could be, probably due to the quality of the print, with letters misshapen etc. As an example, a search led one researcher to an item in the 1838 Bengal Directory. However, when the volume was read more widely several other items of interest were found, none of which had been picked up by using the search facility. If you are looking for something specific and you do not find it this way, it pays to look in the index, say for the births, marriages and deaths, and then go through the whole section.


Guide to directories

  • Morgan, Richard

Indian Directories. London: Families in British India Society, 2009 (FIBIS fact files; 3)

This booklet provides an invaluable guide to the printed directories available on people who lived or served in British India, with examples of the kind of information useful to family historians to be found in them. Written by Richard Morgan, whom many will know from his articles in family history journals on genealogical research relating to India, it is in his characteristically brisk and down-to-earth style, and full of practical advice on how to get the best out of these important sources. In particular he draws attention to the sometimes underestimated Thacker's Indian Directory which so often comes to the rescue when your ancestor was a 'non-official' and therefore omitted from almost all the official records. All the directories discussed are readily available at the British Library and directions are given on locating them elsewhere. (reviewed by David Blake, FIBIS Trustee)


General Indian directories

  • Allen's Indian Mail. [Online version] London: WH Allen

Scattered editions are fully available on Google Books. See our index to volumes.


  • The Asiatic annual register, or, A view of the history of Hindustan, and of the politics, commerce and literature of Asia. [Online version] London: Cadell & Davies, 1799-1811

In addition to standard information, these include many items about shipping, including ships hired for the season, and loss of ships.

A number of editions are fully available at Google Books. See our index to volumes.


  • The Asiatic journal and monthly miscellany/register. [Online version] London: W.H. Allen, 1816-1845.

In addition to standard information, these include many items about shipping, including ships hired for the season, and loss of ships.

Google Books many editions (two per year until 1829, then three) to view online or download. FIBIwiki has an index to available editions.


  • The East-India register and directory for 1819. [Online version] London: Cox and Bayliss, 1819

The EIRs provide complete lists of the servants (employees) of the East India Company both at home and abroad including civilians, military and marine personnel, also Europeans and mariners with interests in India, but not in the service of the Company, for a particular year.

Available for searching or reading online at Google Books. May also be downloaded.


  • The East India register & directory 1830. [CD-Rom] Cinderford: Archive CD Books, 2003

This PDF facsimile is out of production in the UK, but can be found at Archive CD Books Australia or Archive CD Books Ireland or Archive CD Books USA


  • The East India register & directory 1844. [CD-Rom] Cinderford: Archive CD Books, 2005

This PDF facsimile is out of production in the UK, but can be found at Archive CD Books Australia or Archive CD Books Ireland or Archive CD Books USA


  • The East-India register and army list. [Online version] London: W.H. Allen

Scattered editions are available for searching, reading online or downloading at Google Books. See our index to volumes.


  • East India registers DVD collection. [DVD] Dewsbury: Your Old Books & Maps, 2007.

This contains on one DVD The East India register & directory 1806, The East-India register and directory 1827, The East India register & directory 1836, and The East India & Army list 1851 as searchable PDF facsimiles.

Each year on this DVD, plus others, are also available from Your Old Books & Maps as individual CD-Roms or pre-pay downloads.


  • The Oriental Magazine, and Calcutta Review

Volume 1, Jan-June 1823 Volume 2, July-December 1823 Available to view or download on Google Books


  • The Oriental herald and colonial review / edited by James Silk Buckingham. [Online version] London: Sandford Arnot

Available to view or download on Google Books. See our index to volumes.


  • Parbury's Oriental Herald and Colonial Intelligencer. [Online version] London: Parbury & Co

Available to view or download on Google Books. See our index to volumes.


  • The Quarterly oriental magazine, review and register. [Online version] Calcutta: Thacker

Available to view or download on Google Books. See our index to volumes.


  • Thacker's Indian directory 1895. [CD-Rom] Cinderford: Archive CD Books, 2002

Thacker's annual directories are the most comprehensive of all the Indian directories.

This PDF facsimile is out of production in the UK, but can be found at Archive CD Books Australia or Archive CD Books Ireland or Archive CD Books USA


Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO)

There are a number of Directories from the late 1700’s available on the website Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO- A part of Gale Digital Collections).The access is restricted to library card holders (usually residents) of participating Libraries, including the National Libraries of Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia, State Library of NSW, and many Universities. Most of the original books are in the British Library. ECCO may also be accessed from the British Library Reading Rooms.

General Directories available are:

1791 and 1797: The East India Kalendar; or, Asiatic register for Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Fort Marlborough, China, and St. Helena

1795: The Bengal or East-India calendar (includes Madras, Bombay etc)

Regional Indian directories

  • The Bengal and Agra Annual Guide and Gazetteer for 1841. [Online version] Calcutta: W. Rushton and Co., 1841

Can be view, searched and downloaded on Google Books.


  • The Bengal Directory and Annual Register. [Online version] Calcutta:Samuel Smith & Co., 1838

Full version on Google Books, includes Bengal Army list, civil list etc.


  • The Calcutta Annual Register 1821. [Online version] Calcutta: Government Gazette Press, 1823

Available to view or download on Google Books.


  • The Calcutta Christian Observer. [Online version] Calcutta: Thacker & Co.

Available to view or download on Google Books. See our index to volumes. Volumes 1-5 include listings of births, marriages, deaths, however the later volumes seem to be limited to missionaries etc.


  • Calcutta Magazine and Monthly Register. [Online Version] Calcutta: S. Smith & Co.

Available to view or download on Google Books. See our index to volumes. Note that page numbers in some of volumes seem not to be consecutive, perhaps due to the way they have been bound or filmed.


  • Calcutta Monthly Journal and General Register. [Online version] Calcutta: Samuel Smith & Son

Several editions are available on Google Books. See our index to volumes.


1785: The Oriental magazine; or, Calcutta amusement

1787: The Bengal register, containing lists of the Hon. Company's civil and military establishments, under the Presidency of Fort William (also includes surgeons)

1787, 1789: The Bengal Calendar

1790: The Bengal Calendar & Register

1790: The Calcutta Monthly Register. Vol 1, November 1790

1792: The Bengal Kalendar, and Almanack

1795 and 1800: The Bengal Kalendar and Register


Civil Service directories

  • Available on the website ECCO (see above) for 1790 and 1799: A list of the Company's civil servants, at their settlements in the East-Indies, the island St. Helena, and China. (List of senior and junior merchants, factors, writers)


  • The India Office List 1877. [DVD] Dewsbury: Your Old Books & Maps, 2005.

A very comprehensive directory with both Civil & Military listings. Complimented by a 'superb' index and also an index of retired officers. As is usual with the India List, includes the then current rules and regulations of the Civil Service.


  • The India List and India Office List 1905. [Online version] London: Harrison & Son

This edition can be searched, read online or downloaded at Google Books.


  • The India Office List 1933. [CD-Rom] Cinderford: Archive CD Books, 2002

A comprehensive directory compiled from the Civil Lists of the Government of India. The section on records of service provides the dates of appointment, promotions and qualifications for individuals in the ICS. Lists military officers and recipients of medals and awards. Includes the rules and regulations of the Civil Service, with details such as rates of pay and pension rates.

This PDF facsimile is out of production in the UK, but can be found at Archive CD Books Australia or Archive CD Books Ireland or Archive CD Books USA

Other Sources

  • Another source of BMD is the Gentleman’s Magazine, which may be accessed online through this link. Note that FIBIS has already transcribed Marriages 1731-1850 and Death Announcements 1731-1831.
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