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 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 [ http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/india/2009-11/1257384425 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

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”.