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{{Cleanup}}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 [http://www.findmypast.comco.uk/helpadvice/knowledge-base/overseas-military/indexrecords.jsp FindMyPast]’s knowledge base link concerning Military and Overseas records and this [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/gettingstarted/looking-for-person/birthmarriagedeatharmedforces.htm?WT.lp=rg-6009 National Archives'] research guide about BMD records in the armed forces, with additional details in this [http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Army_Records_of_Births%2C_Marriages_and_Deaths Your Archives]’ guide, written 1992, which gives details of a small number of regimental registers in the series WO 68 and WO 69
Repair broken links - transfer titles pub. 2006 and 1995 for review
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. The [[British Army#Muster rolls| Muster roll]] records should include these deaths.
The Chaplain Returns 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) and online. The FindmyPast [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/helpadvice/knowledge-base/overseas-military/records.jsp 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 [[General Register Office|GRO]] with GQ in the subject header, eg "GQ Regimental Marriage Registers", to avoid receiving an automated reply. A list of the regiments covered in the unindexed records used to be available, but it is not known if it currently is. <ref>"At the FRC [now closed] is a list of the marriage registers, arranged by regiment; if your regiment is there, with entries for the right period, ask at the enquiry desk in the FRC to be put in touch with the Overseas Section, which may conduct a search for you." [http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php?4364-GRO-Regimental-Birth-Indices/page2 Thread from British-Genealogy.com], quoting ''Tracing your Ancestors in The Public Record Office'' by Amanda Bevan (Public Record Office Handbook No.19, sixth edition) page 187-188: Section 181.1.1</ref> 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 For details of all these military [[General Register Office]] records. Another possible source of more information is the this 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 see [[British LibraryWaiting for review]]. ''Tracing your Ancestors'' is available from the [http:<//astore.amazon.co.uk/faminbriindso-21/detail/1903365899 FIBIS Shop] through Amazon.co.ukref>
As an example of a record from the Army Birth Returns, a researcher has advised he has a “certified copy” from the GRO taken from “Army Book 112 (Register of Births) of the -th Bn. -th Punjab Regiment for the six months ending 30th June 19-- reported from the Military Station at Isak (North Waziristan)”. Note this Regiment was part of the [[Indian Army]].
The [[LDS]] have microfilmed some of the indexes, as listed in this [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&keyword=officers%2C+soldiers%2C+%26+their+families%29++...+at+stations+abroad%2C&prekeyword=officers%2C+soldiers%2C+%26+their+families%29++...+at+stations+abroad%2C Library Catalogue entry] and you can order the microfiches and view them at [[Family History Centres]]. However, the indexes are available online, see below.
===See also===
*[[British Army]] Records. In particular, the WO97 records described in Section 4.1.2 Service and pension records, available on Findmypast, may include information about marriages, births of children or deaths of family members. It may be helpful to view the WO97 record first, before pursing the records mentioned above. Some muster rolls also include married rolls for the regiment.
== External Links ==
