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 fully available on Google Books: 1843, 1845-52 (index) and 1856.


  • 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, covering the following years: 1799, 1799 (2nd edition), 1800, 1802, 1803, 1804,1805, 1806, 1806 (part 2), 1807, 1808, 1809 and 1810 & 1811.


  • 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 has 91 full editions (two per year until 1829, then three) covering the years 1816 to 1845 to view online or download.


  • 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: 1845, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1853 (2nd ed), 1854, 1855, 1856 and 1857.


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

There are 13 full volumes on Google Books for the years 1824 to 1828.


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

Google Books has 10 fully viewable volumes covering 1824 to 1827.


  • 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 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.


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

Volumes covering 1836, 1837, 1838 and 1839 are on Google Books.


Civil Service directories

  • 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

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