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

Editions to 1857 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.

All 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 provides many editions (there were two per year until 1829, then three) to view online or download. FIBIwiki has an index to available editions.


  • The Bengal or East-India calendar. [Online version] 1795

This early directory includes details for Madras, Bombay etc. and is part of 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. ECCO may also be accessed from the British Library Reading Rooms.


  • The East India kalendar; or, Asiatic register for Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Fort Marlborough, China, and St. Helena. [Online version] 1791, 1797

These very early editions of the East-India register are part of 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.


  • An East-India register and directory. [Microform] 1803-1860

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.

The LDS (Mormon) Family Search Library has many editions from 1803 to 1860 in microfilm format listed in its Library Catalogue. This page from the Catalogue shows the various titles which are included in the series and will be available to view at a local Family History Center. The EIRs were superceded by The India list.


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

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

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


  • 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

Many 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 [Online version] 1823

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


  • 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

Regional Indian directories

  • The Bengal and Agra annual guide and gazetteer for 1841. [Online version] Calcutta: W. Rushton and Co., 1841

Can be viewed, searched and downloaded on Google Books.


  • The Bengal calendar. [Online version] 1787, 1789

These are part of 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.


  • The Bengal calendar & register. [Online version] 1790

Also available on the website Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO - a part of Gale Digital Collections) at participating libraries, including the British Library Reading Rooms.


  • 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 Bengal kalendar and almanack. [Online version] 1792

This is available on the website Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO - a part of Gale Digital Collections) at participating libraries, including the British Library Reading Rooms.


  • The Bengal kalendar and register. [Online version] 1795, 1800

Also available on the website Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO - a part of Gale Digital Collections) at participating libraries, including the British Library Reading Rooms.


  • The Bengal register, containing lists of the Hon. Company's civil and military establishments, under the Presidency of Fort William [Online version] 1787

HEIC employees in Bengal, including surgeons. This is available on the website Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO - a part of Gale Digital Collections) at participating libraries, including the British Library Reading Rooms.


  • 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.

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


  • 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.


  • The Calcutta monthly register. [Online version] Vol 1, November 1790.

This is one of 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.


  • The Oriental magazine; or, Calcutta amusement. [Online version] 1785.

These is one of 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.

Civil Service directories

  • The India list. [Microform] 1861-1947

When the governing of India was transferred from the HEIC to the British government, The East-India register was superceded by what was initially called The Indian army and civil service list. The LDS (Mormon) Family Search Library has microfilmed editions of this from 1861 through to 1947 listed in Library Catalogue under the title An East-India register and directory. This page from the catalogue shows the various titles which form the series. The films can be viewed at a local Family History Center.


  • 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


  • A list of the Company's civil servants, at their settlements in the East-Indies, the island St. Helena, and China. [Online version] 1790, 1799

These HEIC lists of senior and junior merchants, factors, and writers are part of 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.

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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