Society of Genealogists

The Society of Genealogists (SOG) in London has information largely relating to family history in England. However, it also contains an impressive selection of material relating to British India.

Foremost amongst this is the card index of Lt Col H K Percy Smith (1897-1975). The index comprises baptisms, marriages and burials in India. Some of these have been typed into lists by Lt Col Bullock (and others) and are on the open shelves in the Upper Library.

Moreover, some of the church records available at the Society are not found in the N series of India Office Records at the British Library. To see what is available refer to Church records of India at SOG

The shelves in the Upper Library also house a great many books, directories and lists relating to British India. Particularly useful is the open access to the volumes of Bengal Past and Present (although, regrettably, these do not appear to be a complete run).

Computers in the Open Access Area provide free access to some family history websites including Ancestry, Origins and Find My Past.

An excellent article detailing the India holdings at the Society was written by Else Churchill of the Society of Genealogists for the May 2007 issue of the Ancestors Magazine – which is the magazine of The National Archives.This was a special India issue and it can be read in full at no cost at Ancestors Magazine 57 The relevant article is on page 33 and is accompanied by pictorial examples of the information found in the Percy Smith collection.

For details of membership, costs for individual research sessions and opening times, please refer to the SOG website.