Mailing lists

Genealogy

Rootsweb INDIA

The most popular list for those researching family history in India is the INDIA List hosted by Rootsweb. You can exchange ideas, suggestions, queries, questions and family details with a group of people (from beginner to expert) who are interested in the same subject. The List currently has over 700 members.

Before submitting queries to the List, it is recommended to first search the INDIA List archives to see if your question has been asked before. You may also use this search page to search for surnames that may have been mentioned before. As you may appreciate, asking the same beginner questions to the list can become tiresome for the regulars on the List. It is also recommended to 'lurk' in the background if you are new to mailing lists (or even the INDIA List) and get a 'feel' for the format of questions and 'list etiquette'.

To join the List, simply send an email to INDIA-L-request@rootsweb.com with the word subscribe in the subject line and body. Please do not include anything else (even a signature). You may unsubscribe at anytime. More details are found on the INDIA List page. If you subscribe to the India List, you receive emails individually at different times during the day. If you subscribe to the Digest, the emails are batched together and come at less frequent intervals. If you unsubscribe for a period, perhaps while you are on holidays, you can browse the archives for any dates you have missed.

Sometimes long URLs in India List posts do not appear correctly and it is not possible to access the relevant website with just a click. It is necessary to copy, adjust and paste the link in terms of this India List question and response.

Sometimes a message appears on the India List which says: This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list... The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. This India List post discusses the procedure of writing a reply on the Message Board.

Rootsweb INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ

According to its website it is: A mailing list for anyone with a genealogical interest in the period of British rule of most of the Indian subcontinent (present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Myanmar (Burma)) which lasted from 1858, when the rule of the British East India Company was transferred to the Crown, until 1947, when the independence of British India was granted and Pakistan was formed.

Many people subscribe to both the India List and the India-British-Raj List. In practice, most genealogical queries are sent to the India List, while the India-British Raj List tends to be more concerned with social and general topics. Subscribe to the India- British- Raj List or Digest, on a similar basis to the India List above. Search the Archives Browse the Archives

Other Mailing Lists

Rootsweb

All Rootsweb Mailing Lists. This website gives the following mailing lists, all of which seem fairly small

• Ceylon-Rootsweb Sri Lanka Mailing List. Join the Sri Lanka List Search the Sri Lanka List Archives Browse the Sri Lanka List Archives
• Straits Settlements
  • Malaysia- Rootsweb Malaysia Mailing List. Join the Malaysia List Search the Malaysia List Archives Browse the Malaysia List Archives
  • Singapore- Rootsweb Singapore Mailing List. Join the Singapore List Search the Singapore List Archives Browse the Singapore List Archives
• Indonesia- Rootsweb Indonesia Mailing List. Join the Indonesia List Search the Indonesia List Archives Browse the Indonesia List Archives

Other

The St Helena Institute's 'Forum for Family History', a Mailing List/Message Board for anyone interested in St Helena family history and genealogy (including Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha).

Message Boards

• The posts on the Rootsweb India Message Board are gatewayed (reposted) to the India List so you only need to post once. For other countries, refer All Rootsweb Message Boards
• Genforum is the website presented by Genealogy.com. Messages can be left on specific surname boards in addition to the India Genealogy Forum –or that of any other country. There are also general interest boards. All these message boards (or forums as they are called) can be browsed or searched by entering a specific word search. In addition to hosting message boards the site contains topics of general genealogical interest.

Military

• Britregiments is a list for general questions about British Regiments (including those in the Indian Army). Their website says “Questions about a unit's history, movements, heritage, practices and regalia are most welcome and encouraged”.