Church records
Introduction
India had no civil registration (including as birth certificates) as such. The next best thing for a genealogist is to use Church Records. About 80% of all baptism, marriage and burial records have survived today, and the good news is that they are all indexed and available on microfilm. Records of baptisms, marriages and burials are available 1698-1968, and are housed in the OIOC in London. If you live outside London, then the best way to have access to these records is to use the LDS (Mormon) microfilms, which will be available in an LDS Family History Centre near you. For details on how to use the OIOC records on microfilm, some transcriptions, addresses and photos of churches in India, visit the webpage on Church Records.
Some regiments of the British Army (not the HEIC Army) chose to have their records included in the General Registrar's Office records at what was formerly called St Catherine's House, in London. If your ancestor was in the British Army and you are unable to find your ancestor's baptism record in the church records held at the OIOC or on microfilm, there is a chance that they will be available in the Army Ecclesiastical Returns of the General Registrar's Office. Indexes to these records are available in most genealogical libraries and family history societies.
Using Microfilms
Instructions on how to use the microfilmed copies of the OIOC church records and indexes at an LDS Family History Centre.
A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Bengal church records.
A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Madras church records.
A list of all the microfilm numbers for the LDS copies of Bombay church records.
Lists of microfilms of European church records in India that do not fall under the usual three Presidencies. These include Native States, some Catholic records and post-Independence church records.
Lists of microfilms of church records in India which are not held by the OIOC. They are principally native Roman Catholic congregations, but also include Syrian, Armenian, Danish and Dutch church records in India. There are also a very small number of British churches in this listing, namely the original Anglican records from Fort St George in Madras, and the Church of Scotland in Bombay.
Lists of microfilms of church records in Goa.
Churches
A list of postal addresses and phone numbers of all bishops of CSI dioceses in India, correct in 1993, as well as photos of selected churches in South India.
A list of the postal addresses and phone numbers of all bishops of CNI dioceses in India, correct in 1993. There are also a few photos of churches, but they are South Indian ones because I don't have any photos of North Indian churches!
A list of Roman Catholic churches in Madras, with their date of building and approximate location. This list was kindly transcribed by Peter Bailey.
External Links
This site lists all Roman Catholic churches in India and the date they were built.
This is a terrific site by Ann Mensch which provides a wealth of information on all Indian Catholic dioceses, as well as some interesting links on Catholic family history.
Stephen Luscombe has a fascinating website on the British Empire which includes, amongst other things, photos of former British churches in India. The whole site is worth exploring for general information on the British Empire.