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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.coawin1.uk/helpadvice/knowledge-base/overseas-militarycom/recordsawclick.jsp FindMyPastphp?mid=2114&id=201071 findmypast]’s knowledge base link concerning Military and Overseas records.
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 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 For details of this book see [[Waiting for review]]</ref>
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]].
===See also===
*[[British Army]] Records. In particular, the WO97 records described in Section 4.1.2 Service and pension records, available on Findmypastfindmypast, 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 ==
*[http://www.familyrelatives.com/index.php Familyrelatives.com] contains the [http://www.familyrelatives.com/search/search_browseoverseas.php Overseas Indexes], which include images from the British Army Overseas Indexes which you can access for free, (even though most other records on the site require a subscription) However first you must log in. This site requires a [http://www.adobe.com/au/downloads.html?promoid=KAWQL Adobe Flash 11] plug-in. Log in from the [http://www.familyrelatives.com/index.php Home Page]. Then select 'Search' and then 'Overseas Records'. Then select the database you are interested in. '''Note, some pages from the indexes appear to be missing, so the database is not complete'''. Missing marriage pages have been noted.
*[http://www.findmypast.coawin1.ukcom/MilitaryChooseSearchTypeawclick.jsp FindMyPastphp?mid=2114&id=201071 findmypast] has the British Army Overseas Indexes (for which there is a charge to search). However, in addition, the data base database contains indexes for births in the U.K. and overseas, 1761-1924, taken from regimental registers, including births in India. Search in the category [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/all/births Birth records] . The records themselves are held by the General Register Office, and are not on open access. In respect of "Regimental Birth Indexes –[these] may show several index references for the same person. As a soldier moved from one regiment to another, he had to register himself and his family each time for pay purposes. If you find more than one index reference for same person, provide all references and we will produce the entry with the most information".<ref>[http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/most_customers_want_to_know.asp Certificate ordering Service: Most customers want to know...] www.gro.gov.uk (Scroll down)</ref> As noted above, WO97 records are also available.
*If you have found an index reference and you then want to order a certificate, this can be done [http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates online from the GRO]. (A charge applies). This will be a transcript, not a copy of the original document.
*National Archives Guide [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/birthmarriagedeatharmedforces.htm Looking for records of a birth, marriage or death in the armed forces]
