Chaplains Returns

The Chaplains Returns of baptisms, marriages and burials 1761-1880. From 1880 they were known as “Army” Births, Deaths and Marriages and from 1959 “Forces” Births, Deaths and Marriages. These records include the registrations of British armed forces (including serving members who were not British nationals) posted overseas. More details are on FindMyPast’s knowledge base link concerning Military and Overseas records and this National Archives' research guide about BMD records in the armed forces, with additional details in this Your Archives’ guide, written 1992, which gives details of a small number of regimental registers in the series WO 68 and WO 69

The Army Chaplains Returns of Burials most likely do not include many deaths in action, or associated deaths in camp or on the march, including deaths from disease, such as cholera or heat stroke, where a chaplain did not conduct the burial service. The documentation does not appear to cover this point. Muster roll records should include these deaths.

There are indexes in respect of the overseas registrations most commonly called the British Army Overseas Indexes.

These records were compiled by regimental chaplains and may also be duplicated within the regimental records. The Overseas Section of the General Register Office in Southport holds these volumes and the indexes can be viewed at The National Archives (TNA). The FindmyPast link also advises that the Overseas Section of the General Register Office also holds additional records of regimental marriages taking place between 1761 and 1924 that have never been indexed. As these additional records have never been indexed, they are not included in the data on FindMyPast or other websites. If you can provide the man's name and regiment, and approximate date the GRO will search their records. Email the GRO with GQ in the subject header, eg "GQ Regimental Marriage Registers", to avoid receiving an automated reply

It is not known whether the book Tracing Your Ancestors in The National Archives by Amanda Bevan, (7th edn, National Archives Kew, 2006), Chapter 8 - 'Births, marriages and deaths of Britons overseas or in the armed services', includes details of all these military General Register Office records. Another possible source of more information is the book The British Overseas, A Guide to Records of Their Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths and Burials Available in the United Kingdom by Geoffrey Yeo London, 3rd edition 1995. Both books are available at the British Library.

The LDS have also microfilmed some of the indexes, as listed in this Library Catalogue entry and you can order the microfiches and view them at Family History Centres.

See also

• British Army Records

External Links

• Familyrelatives.com You can browse the Overseas Indexes, which include the British Army Overseas Indexes on this website for free. If you then want to order a certificate, this can be done online from the GRO. This will be a transcript, not a copy of the original document.