Directories online

This page contains links to online editions of directories. Unless otherwise stated, the books are on the website Google Books. Due to different copyright laws, researchers in some regions, particularly those in North America, may be able to access books on websites such as Google Books, published at a later date than is possible for researchers in the UK

Lists of birth, marriage and death, usually under the heading "Domestic Occurrences" and lists of ships sailing and their passengers embarking/disembarking at various ports can be found towards the back of most annual directories published before about 1850. This type of information can also be found in the more frequent monthly or quarterly journals and newspapers. These periodical publications are listed in Newspapers and journals online.

For more details of the information contained in the books, refer to the Directories reading list, which also has information about libraries which hold copies of the books, and alternative versions available on CD-Rom and microform.

Also see Military periodicals online.

Note concerning the Digital Library of India website: Currently (2017/10) the DLI website is closed, and has been for some months. Some of the digital files were uploaded to the Internet Archive, Archive.org in January 2017. See Online books for more information.

Army Lists

Some editions are available on both the Google Books and Hathi Trust Digital Library websites. Google Books is probably quicker to access. However, Hathi Trust has the advantage that pages can be rotated, which is a very handy feature for Army Lists.

• The Bengal Calendar, for the year 1787 including a List of the Hon. and United East-India Company's Military Servants on the Bengal Establishment, page 281 The European Magazine, and London Review, Volume 11 for 1787 by the Philological Society of London Google Books
• Lists of the officers of His Majesty's, and the Hon. Company's troops, serving under the presidency of Bombay. Adjutant General's Office. January 1st. 1798 Google Books
• A List of the Officers of the Army, Ordnance and Medical Departments, serving under the Presidency of Fort St. George. 1st April 1822 Google Books
• The Quarterly Army List of Her Majesty's British and Indian Forces on the Bengal Establishment corrected to 5 July 1859. Also contains Civil Servants in Bengal and the North-Western Provinces. Google Books
• The Quarterly Bengal Army List. Corrected to 30 June 1878 Archive.org, Public Library of India Collection. Contents, digital file page 16. Subordinate Medical Department (Apothecaries), actual page 366, digital file page 384.
• For the Indian Army List from July 1890 to the 1940s, see the separate page Indian Army List online. This publication appears to have commenced as The Quarterly Indian Army List in October 1889.
• Indian Army List, 1 January 1912 is available through the pay website Ancestry, category Military, as a transcript, not original images.
• Indian Army List January 1919. Sample pages only. Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4: War Services Preview Google Books
• Indian Army List April 1921 is available as a free (large (99MB)) pdf type download from FamilySearch. This link may have download problems during maintenance night time Utah Time (Utah Time=GMT less seven hours). Try again at another time. Adobe Acrobat reader required.
• Indian Army List. Restricted access only, probably accessibly by those in North America.
  • Whitaker's Naval and Military Directory and Indian Army List 1899 and 1900 HathiTrust Digital Library
    • The 1899 edition is also available as a digitised Family Search microfilm which may be viewed on your home computer. Select image 377 titled "Indian Army" catalogue entry. You need to be registered and sign in first, see Family Search.
  • Indian Army List 1915, 1922, 1932 Hathi Trust Digital Library

These editions are probably also available on the Google Books website on the same restricted basis.

Also refer East-India Register & Directory and India List and India Office List on this page, and The New Annual Army List on the Military periodicals online page. Other publications on this page such as the various Bengal Directories may also contain Army Lists, as may equivalent publications for the other presidencies.

Bengal Almanac

• 1851 This book contains much general information, including civil service and military regulations but no lists of names. Index

Bengal Directory

Also see Calcutta below.
There were various titles over time including

Bengal Almanac and Annual Directory 1815-1823; The New Annual Bengal Directory and Calcutta Kalendar eg 1823, 1824; Bengal Directory and General Register 1824-1834; Bengal Directory and Annual Register 1835-1842; Bengal and Agra Annual Guide and Gazetteer (probably 1841-42 only); Bengal and Agra Directory and Annual Register 1843-1853; Bengal Directory and Annual Register 1854-1858; Thacker’s Directory for Bengal 1865-1868; Bengal Directory, published by Thacker, also known as Thacker’s Bengal Directory 1869-1884.

• 1838 Bengal Directory, published by Samuel Smith and Co. Google Books
• 1841 Bengal and Agra Annual Guide and Gazetteer, Volume I
• 1842 Bengal and Agra Annual Guide and Gazetteer Volume I
• Scott and Co.'s Bengal Directory and Register for 1849 Hathi Trust Digital Library
• Robertson & Co.'s Bengal Almanac, Companion, and the Book of Direction for 1853 Hathi Trust Digital Library

The following books are available on the Digital Library of India as pdf downloads, with mirror edition on Archive.org.

• The New Annual Bengal Directory and Calcutta Kalendar
  • 1823 Contents, computer page 6; Apothecaries, page 75 of the Army List, computer page 220; "Assistant Apothecaries, Veterinary Students", computer page 221. Barcode 4990010004717. "Old" DLI website, TIFF images Note This book no longer appears generally in the DLI catalogue, except using the "new" DLI page OCR/Search, nor does there appear to be a DLI pdf version. Note however it is available as pdfs from DSpace at West Bengal State Central Library (title includes Dierectory).
  • 1824 Contents, computer page 6; Apothecaries, page 127 computer page 168, includes a listing of 3 Sub Assistant Veterinary Surgeons, listed in 1823 as "Assistant Apothecaries, Veterinary Students" Archive.org.
• Bengal Directory and General Register
  • 1824 2nd edition corrected to 1 July 1824. Contents, computer page 6; Apothecaries page 230, computer page 237. This book is catalogued as Bengal Directory, with publication date 1824. Archive.org .
  • 1825 Catalogued as The New Annual Bengal Directory And General Register Part. 1(1825). Apothecaries page 230, computer page 267. Only the first part of the book to computer page 333 is for 1825. From computer page 334 (numbered page 325) the pages appear to apply to December 1843 onwards, Births from December 1843 from computer page 510. From page 540, the first of a series of indexes, only relevant if the reference is to page 325 onwards. These pages seem to be from the 1845 edition, refer below. Barcode 4990010004719. "Old" DLI website, TIFF images. Note: This book no longer appears generally in the DLI catalogue, except using the "new" DLI page OCR/Search, nor does there appear to be a DLI pdf version. Note however it is available from DSpace at West Bengal State Library as pdf downloads.
  • 1825 2nd edition Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries page 239, computer page 260.Archive.org .
  • 1826 2nd edition Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries page 238, computer page 265. Archive.org .
  • 1827 2nd edition. 1827 appears as the date of publication. No Contents page. Apothecaries computer page 248; BMD computer page 400; General Index of Names, computer page 412. Archive.org .
  • 1828 Incomplete. Contents, computer page 8. Only contains pages to actual page 228. Archive.org .
  • 1829 2nd edition Contents, computer page 6; Apothecaries page 237, computer page 292; Index to names, computer page 496. Archive.org .
  • 1830 There are two volumes available, both of which appear to be missing pages. Bar Code 4990010047236 has more pages. Contents computer page 8; Apothecaries, computer page 284; General Index of Names computer page 490: Archive.org . Bar code 4990010004280 Contents, computer page 4; List of British and Foreign Inhabitants, computer page 326. Archive.org .
  • 1831 Contents, computer page 10; Apothecaries page 237, computer page 288. Archive.org .
  • 1831 2nd edition Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries page 237, computer page 282. Archive.org .
  • 1832 Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries page 237, computer page 282. Archive.org .
• Bengal Directory and Annual Register
  • 1835 Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries, page 237, computer page 278. Archive.org .
  • 1838 with 3rd Quarterly Register, Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries page 245, computer page 262. Archive.org .
  • 1838 available, but also available on Google Books, refer above
  • 1839 Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries, page 245, computer page 264, Archive.org .
  • 1840 Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries, page 245, computer page 268. Archive.org .
  • 1841 Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries, page 258, computer page 283. Archive.org .
  • 1842 Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries, page 255 ,computer page 280. Archive.org .
• Bengal and Agra Directory and Annual Register
  • 1843 The title is The Bengal and Agra Directory and Half Yearly Register for 1843. Note some pages appear to be missing, for example actual page 566 is digital page 469. Contents , digital page 8; Shipping Arrivals and Departures from December 1842 digital page 472; BMD from December 1842 digital page 484; Apothecaries , page 262, digital page 295. Archive.org .
  • 1844 Contents, computer page 8; BMD from December 1842, computer page 530; Apothecaries, page 155, computer page 174. Archive.org version.
  • 1845 Contents, computer page 6; only contains pages to page 332, computer page 339; Apothecaries, page 157, computer page 164. Balance of book appears to be at the back of the 1825 edition. Archive.org .
  • 1846 Contents, computer page 6; Apothecaries, page 155, computer page 186. Archive.org version.
  • 1847 Contents, Computer page 8; Apothecaries, page 155, computer page 190; Part VIII General List of British Inhabitants, page 349 Computer page 422; General Index, computer page 604. Archive.org version.
  • 1848 Contents , computer page 8; Shipping Arrivals and Departures from computer page 592; BMD from December 1846 from computer page 609; Apothecaries, page 155, computer page 190. no 1 Archive.org ; no 2 Archive.org .
  • 1849 Contents, computer page 6; Apothecaries, page 154, computer page 191. , Archive.org .
  • 1851 Contents, computer page 6; Apothecaries, page 281, computer page 310. Archive.org .
• Scott and Co.'s Bengal Directory and Register
  • 1848 Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries page 347, computer page 392 Domestic Occurrences in 1847 Appendix, page 401, computer page 970. Archive.org .
  • 1849 see online edition above at the Hathi Trust Digital Library
• Bengal Directory and Annual Register
  • 1855 Contents, computer page 8; Apothecaries Part V, page 404, computer page 919. Archive.org .
• Bengal Directory (published by Thacker)
  • 1875 Language catalogued as Sanskrit. Contents, computer page 4. Archive.org .
  • 1876 Contents, computer page 8. Archive.org .
  • 1877 Contents, computer page 10; General Index, computer page 11; Calcutta Street Directory, computer pages 436-611; Mofussil, computer pages 614- 1046; Alphabetical List of Indigo, Silk. Tea, Jute, Lac and Sugar Factories, computer page 1048-1078; Alphabetical List of Residents in Calcutta and the Mofussil, computer page 1080-1370. Archive.org .
  • 1878 Contents, computer page 10. [, Archive.org .
  • 1879 Language catalogued as Sanskrit. Contents, computer page 8.Archive.org .
  • 1881 Contents, computer page 16. Archive.org .
  • 1884 Contents, computer page 8. This edition also contains information for Madras and Bombay Presidencies.Archive.org.

Bengal Directory (published by Thacker) is also available as pdf downloads from DSpace at West Bengal State Central Library. Alternative links are also given for some years, or if necessary, go to the DSpace at West Bengal State Central Library website.

• 1873 - 1873 Alternative; 1874- 1874 Alternative; 1876; 1877; 1878, 1879 - 1879 Alternative; 1881; 1884.

FamilySearch microfilms/digitised microfilms

• Scott and Co.'s Bengal Directory, and Register, with Almanac and Appendix, published 1854 Microfilm catalogue entry. See FamilySearch Centres for details about microfilms and digitised microfilms.

Bombay

• The Bombay Calendar and Almanac. 1822 title Bombay Calendar and Register, 1845 title The Bombay Agenda, or Almanac and Directory for 1845
  • 1822 Hathi Trust Digital Library. Includes Marriages Births and Deaths in 1821, page 113 of the Appendix
  • 1842 Google Books
  • 1845 Hathi Trust Digital Library. Includes Alphabetical List of the European, Indo-British and Portuguese Inhabitants of Bombay , its vicinity and the Mofussil, page 48 of the "Bombay Directory" Part 3rd
  • 1856 Hathi Trust Digital Library. Includes List of European and East Indian Inhabitants, page 283

The following volumes are available as pdf files on the Digital Library of India, and as mirror editions on Archive.org.

Also see The Times of India Directory below. Search for titles using simple terms such as Bombay Directory, Bombay Almanac.

• The Bombay Commercial Calender And General Directory
  • 1845 Contents, computer page 8; Contents 2nd Part, Services Calendar (separately numbered), computer page 18; European and East Indian Inhabitants , page 69, computer page 144; Shipping, pages 470-508, computer pages 538-578; Domestic Occurrences for 1844 Births, page 509, computer page 579, Marriages page 514, computer page 584, deaths, page 518, computer page 588. Part 2 commences computer page 595. Apothecaries, 2nd Section page 157, computer page 757. Archive.org .
• The Bombay Almanac
  • 1851 Contents computer page 9. Mostly general information. Estates Administered by the Ecclesiastical Registrar Bombay page 195, computer page 256. Archive.org .
  • 1852 [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.109657 Archive.org v.
• The Bombay Almanack and Book of Direction
  • 1860 Contents, computer page 10; Apothecaries, page 484, computer page 535. Archive.org .
  • 1861 Contents, computer page 22; Apothecaries, page 512, computer page 563. Catalogued as The Bombay Almanack and Directory for 1861. Print quality is poor. Archive.org .
• The Bombay Almanack and Directory
  • 1863. There are two files. The print quality is poor for both, but the second version is probably better.
    • Barcode ...226 Contents, computer page 20; Apothecaries page 674, computer page 723. Archive.org .
    • Barcode ...231 Contents, computer page 20; Apothecaries page 674, computer page 719. Archive.org .
  • 1865. Unfortunately the pages after page 583 are missing. Contents, computer page 12; Alphabetical Index, computer page 26; Alphabetical List of HM Uncovenanted Civil Servants, page 296, computer page 335; List of the Principal European, Indo-Briton and Portuguese Mofussil Residents page 381, computer page 420; List of ditto in the Town and Suburbs of Bombay, page 428, computer page 465; Births, Marriages and Deaths, page 572, computer page 607. Book ends page 583, Deaths to Fenton. Archive.org .
  • 1868 Index, computer page 6; Inhabitants Local, page 745, computer page 796; Inhabitants Mofussil, page 798, computer page 847. [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.83822 Archive.org .

Calcutta

Also see Bengal Directory above.

• Published by Cones and Co, Calcutta. Initially the title was the Calcutta Directory, but by 1877 it had changed to Cones and Co's Directory and Almanac. The following editions are available on Archive.org, in the Digital Library of India Collection, based on pdf downloads from DLI. Most are catalogued as Directory and Almanac. The same digital files are also available as pdf downloads from DSpace at West Bengal State Central Library, the originating institution.
  • Calcutta Directory for 1874, published by Cones and Co. Contents commences digital page 8, but appears to be missing the first two pages. This book is in a number of Parts, each numbered separately.
  • 1877
  • 1878. Pensioners , Civil and Military, digital file page 415 (Part V, page 78)
  • 1879. Pensioners, digital file page 449 (PartV, page 78)
  • 1881. Pensioners, digital file page 481 (Part V, page 80)
  • 1889. Pensioners, digital file page 369 (Part V, page 80)
  • 1895, 1896.

China and other countries

• The Directory & Chronicle for China, Japan, Corea, Indo-China, Straits Settlements, Malay States, Siam, Netherlands India, Borneo, the Philippines, &c. For a range of editions to 1922, see China
• Directory for Bangkok and Siam 1914 "Twenty-Fifth year of publication". Published by The Bangkok Times. Archive.org. Catalogued as "Bangkok and Siam, directory"

East-India Register & Directory

These volumes are from the Google Books the Hathi Trust Digital Library and Archive.org websites and contain Civil Service and Army Lists, in addition to other information.

Ancestry, pay website, includes a number of searchable and browsable editions of the East-India Register, (listed under three variants of the title), generally the 1st edition for the year, published in January, together with some additional publications, including some pre 1800, in the database UK, Registers of Employees of the East India Company and the India Office, 1746-1939, located in Schools, Directories & Church Histories. Additionally, there is a separate database for East India Register and Directory for 1830 [2nd edition]. Note, some local libraries, and genealogical societies, provide free access to Ancestry, for residents/members, see Miscellaneous tips.

The editions with an M following the year are available on the subscription website The Making of the Modern World-The Goldsmiths’-Kress Library of Economic Literature 1450-1850

1782 title is A List of the Company's civil servants, at their settlements in the East-Indies, the Island St. Helena, and China.
1792 title is East India Kalendar or Asiatic Register for the Year 1792. Similarly for 1797 (on Ancestry). For access to this publication for additional years, see Subscription websites-online newspapers, journals and directories.
1792 and 1795 title is Bengal Calendar (on Ancestry), but includes other regions.
1801 title is The New East India Kalendar (on Ancestry)
1802 title is A New Oriental Register, and East India Directory for 1802

1782 Ancestry	1792	1792 Ancestry	1795 Ancestry	1797 Ancestry
	1801 Ancestry	1802	1803 2nd edition	1804 Ancestry 1804 M
1805 Ancestry 1805 M		1807 Ancestry	1808 FamilySearch Digital Book 1808 Ancestry	1809 Ancestry 1809 M
1810 Ancestry 1810 M	1811 Ancestry			1814 Ancestry 1814 M
1815 Ancestry 1815 M	1816 Ancestry 1816 M			1819 2nd edition 1819 Ancestry
1820 2nd edition 1820 Ancestry	1821 2nd edition 1821 Ancestry	1822 Ancestry 1822 M	1823 2nd edition 1823 Ancestry	1824 1824 Ancestry
1825 2nd edition	1826 1826 Ancestry	1827 1827 Ancestry	1828, 1828 2nd edition 1828 Ancestry	1829, 1829 2nd edition
1830 2nd edition 1830, 2nd edition Ancestry (separate database)	1831 Ancestry 1831 M	1832 1832 Ancestry		1834 2nd edition * Alternative link, same file
1835 2nd edition * Alternative link, same file		1837 2nd edition 1837 Ancestry		1839
	1841 Ancestry 1841 M	1842	1843	1844 2nd edition 1844 Ancestry
1845, 1845 2nd edition	1846 2nd edition	1847 1847 Ancestry		1849 1849 Ancestry
1850 2nd edition 1850 Ancestry	1851 1851 Ancestry	1852 1852 Ancestry	1853 2nd edition 1853 Ancestry	1854 1854 Ancestry
1855 1855 Ancestry	1856 1856 Ancestry	1857 1857 Ancestry	1858 Ancestry	1859 1859 Ancestry

For years from 1861, see India List and India Office List, below.

* Pdf downloads from DSpace at West Bengal State Central Library

FamilySearch microfilms/digitised microfilms

• An East-India Register and Directory Microfilm catalogue entry for multiple volumes. Note: Microfilm ordering ceased September 2017, however selected volumes are currently digitised and available for viewing on a FamilySearch computer at a FamilySearch Centre, or FamilySearch Affiliate Library, and it is expected that in time all volumes will be similarly available. You may request that a microfilm be given priority for digitisation. Refer FamilySearch Centres for more detail. Note, it is recommended that you use this option only if there are no other versions available, due to restricted geographical access, and the format for viewing the digital images.

Ferguson’s Ceylon Directory

A broken range of editions of Ferguson's Ceylon Directory from 1871 to 1930 is available on the website History of Ceylon Tea.

Government of India Directory

• Govt of India Directory 1935 is available to download as a pdf from OUDL (Osmania University Digital Library). May only be available Indian office hours (IST 10 am to 6 pm), (IST = GMT+5:30). This publication is similar to a Civil Service List. Also available from Archive.org, Digital Library of India Collection.
• Government of India Directory 1946 and January 1947 Archive.org, Digital Library of India Collection.

Hyderabad

Also see entries under Madras

• The following books are available as pdfs on the Digital Library of India, with mirror editions on Archive.org.
  • The Hyderabad Almanac and Directory for 1892. No contents page. List of Principal European and Anglo-Indian Residents in Hyderabad computer page 170.Archive.org version.
  • 1936 Hyderabad Directory Contents, computer page 5; Who's Who, computer page 226; Lawyers, computer page 282 Doctors, page 291. Archive.org version.
• The Classified List Of Officers Of Civil Department 
H.E.H.The Nizams Government 1932, 1934, 1939 are available to download as pdfs on OUDL (Osmania University Digital Library).

The Classified List of Officers of the Civil Departments Of H E H The Nizam’s Government. A broken range of editions 1928 to 1940s. Archive.org, Digital Library of India Collection. DLI perhaps may have additional volumes.

India List and India Office List

Also including Histories of Services, a publication connected with the various Lists, which is available at the British Library as IOR/V/12 Service Histories. (Search the catalogue or TNA Discovery catalogue entry for IOR/V/12).

• The Indian Army and Civil Service List. Hathi Trust Digital Library and Google Books. The title commenced in 1861 and In 1877 changed to India List Civil and Military which was published to 1895. There were two editions per year, in January and July. A new series India Office List commenced 1886 as a yearly publication, so for some years there were two different publications. The Indian Army List appears to have commenced as a separate publication in October 1889.

Ancestry has editions of The Indian Army and Civil Service List for each year 1861-1876**
July 1864	July 1867	January 1868	July 1869*	January 1870
July 1870	January 1871*	January 1872	July 1872*	January 1873
findmypast searchable only. Probably July 1873#	January 1874	July 1874	January 1875	July 1875
January 1876*	March 1877*	Ancestry has editions of India List Civil and Military for each year 1877-1895**

*Google Books. # findmypast dataset "Indian Army & Civil Service List 1873" located in Education & Work/Colonial Service. May be selected entries only, not entire book.

**Ancestry, pay website, has searchable and browsable editions, generally the January edition (of two editions published each year) for each year 1861-1895 listed under the two titles above in the database UK, Registers of Employees of the East India Company and the India Office, 1746-1939, located in Schools, Directories & Church Histories.

Google Books has a number of volumes for this period available to some readers in a 'snippet' form, but they may be available as 'full view' for some readers 1864,1867, 1870, July 1870, 1872, 1874, 1874, 1875

Restricted access editions, probably accessible to those in North America, are available from 1878 on the Hathi Trust Digital Library, with further editions in the 1920s, under the catalogue title The India office and Burma office list.

FamilySearch microfilms/digitised microfilms

Refer East-India Register and Directory above. Two volumes per year are generally available to 1895, so it seems likely these will be volumes of India List Civil and Military, rather than India Office List which commenced in 1886 as a yearly publication. Note also there are Indian Army Lists available online from 1890, refer above. Microfilm ordering service ceased September 2017. Refer comments under East-India Register and Directory above. It is recommended that you only use this source if the volume you are seeking is not otherwise available, on Ancestry or elsewhere.

• From 1870 to 1893, The New Annual Army List contained an Indian Civil Service List. The full title of the publication was 1870-1880, The New Annual Army List, Militia List, and Indian Civil Service List; 1881-1893, The New Annual Army List, Militia List, Yeomanry Cavalry List, and Indian Civil Service List. Archive.org

1870, page 681	1871, page 682	1872, page 682	1873, page 691	1874, page 732
1875, page 742	1876, page 741	1877, page 744
1880, page 741	1881, page 750		1883, page 752	1884, page 752
1885, page 752	1886, page 892	1887, incomplete		1889, page 892
1890, page 892	1891, page 892

• Indian Army and Civil Service List is available through the commercial site findmypast. (At August 2014, the years 1855, 1873 and 1933 are available)
• 1880 The Indian Civil Service List Archive.org Index
• History of services of gazetted officers employed under the government of the N.-W.P. and Oudh. Corrected up to 1st Jan., 1881. Compiled in the Govt. Sectt., N-.W.P. and Oudh, Allahabad. 1881 Archive.org.
• Quarterly Civil List for the Punjab: Corrected up to 1st October 1898, Index Archive.org
• India List and India Office List

• 1886. Link to a catalogue entry which contain a link to a pdf download. Digital Repository of GIPE, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics [Pune].
• Ancestry, pay website, has searchable and browsable editions in the database UK, Registers of Employees of the East India Company and the India Office, 1746-1939, located in Schools, Directories & Church Histories for the years 1895-1909 inclusive, 1911-1929 inclusive, 1931-1939 inclusive, listed under three different titles - The India List and India Office List, The India Office List, and The India Office and Burma Office List.
• 1902 Archive.org; 1905 Google Books. The preface of both editions states: In the lists of Officers serving in India, which are contained in pages... of this volume, only substantive appointments are shown ; and, except in the case of members of the Indian Civil Service, the names of Officers drawing substantive pay of less than Rs. 500 a month are not included.
• 1924 (alternative link 1924) may be downloaded as pdfs from DSpace at West Bengal State Central Library.
• 1925. Link to a catalogue entry which contain a link to a pdf download. Digital Repository of GIPE, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics [Pune].

• The following Lists may be viewed online on the Digital Library of India website. Many of the volumes are available as mirror editions at Archive.org, the Internet Archive, some of which links are given below.
  • India and India/Burma
    • India Office List. Pdf downloads. Note from the 1938 online edition, the title is The India Office And Burma Office List.

    DLI 1916; 1917; 1918; 1919; 1920

    Archive.org mirror versions: Archive.org 1916; Archive.org 1917; Archive.org 1918; Archive.org 1919 Archive.org 1920

    DLI 1921; 1922; 1923; 1924 - another file: 1924; 1926; 1927; 1929 - another file: 1929; 1930

    Archive.org mirror versions: 1921 A; 1922 A; 1923 A; 1924 A-another file: 1924 A; 1926 A; 1927 A; 1929 A- another file: 1929 A; 1930 A

    DLI 1931; 1933; 1934; 1935; 1936; 1938; 1939; 1940; 1945- another file: 1945; 1947.

    Archive.org mirror versions: 1931 A; 1933 A; 1934 A; 1935 A; 1936 A; 1938 A; 1939 A; 1940 A; 1945 A- another file:1945 A; 1947 A.

    • The Combined Civil List For India; The Combined Civil List For India And Burma. 1915- onwards (incomplete). Mirror editions on Archive.org 1909 onwards.
    • History Of Services Of Officers Holding Gazetted Appointments July 1926. Pdf download, Archive.org 1926. Full title includes the wording Government of India and Home, Education, Health and Lands, Foreign, Legislative, Commerce, Industries and Labour Departments.

    History of services of officers holding gazetted appointments under the foreign and political department 1929 pdf download, Archive.org 1929; 1931 pdf download, Archive.org 1931; 1935 pdf download, Archive.org 1935 (catalogued without the words under the foreign'…); 1937 pdf download. Archive.org 1937 (title includes in the political and the external affairs departments).

    History of Services of Officers of the Political Department below the Substantive Rank of Resident serving in the North West Frontier Province 1930. Pdf download. Catalogue title record includes 'Frointer'. Archive.org version.

    • History Of Services Of Officers Holding Gazetted Appointments Under the Government of India 1947. Pdf download. Archive.org version. Note: Catalogued as ...Appointments In The Cabinet.
  • Provincial Lists
    • History of Services of Gazetted and other Officers serving under the Government of Assam 1921 Pdf download, Archive.org version.
    • Bengal Civil List, Quarterly Civil List for Bengal 1 volume for 1879, then 1914 onwards. Archive.org. "Old website" has from 1909.
    • History Of Services Of Gazetted And Other Officers Serving Under the Government of Bengal. Note DLI catalogue does not include the words Serving Under the Government of Bengal Parts 1 and 2 1877-1909 (incomplete).
      • 1898 Part 1 was noted to include Subordinate Civil Service, but other years may also.
      • Part 1: 1877, 1879, 1881, 1882, 1885, 1891, 1892, 1898, 1899, 1900

      1902, 1903, 1904 ,1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909. Pdf downloads.

      Mirror versions available on Archive.org: 1877, 1879, 1881, 1882, 1885, 1891, 1892, 1898, 1899, 1900.

      1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909

      • Part 2: 1878, 1879, 1880, 1882, 1885, 1891, 1892, 1893

      1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909. Pdf downloads.

      Mirror versions available on Archive.org: 1878, 1879, 1880, 1882, 1885, 1891, 1892, 1893

      1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909

    • Gazetted And Other Officers Of Bengal Government-Services History. Note, this is the catalogued title, but it appears the actual title continued on as above, at least for a time.
      • Part 1 Indian and Statutory Civil Services, Bengal Civil Service, Bengal Junior Service and Judicial Service. Annual Volumes 1910 onwards, excluding 1918, 1942. There is an index at the rear, although it is not clear whether this is for the whole book, or the last section. It is not known whether Burma is included. Pdf downloads.

      1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914. 1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1920,

      1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930

      1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940

      1941, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950. Later years are also available.

      Mirror versions available on Archive.org: 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1920

      1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930

      1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935,1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940

      1941, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946 no longer available, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950

      • Part 2 [in separate volumes] 1910 onwards. Departments such as Medical, Jail, Police, Education, Public Works, Registration, Forest, Miscellaneous, Marine, Bengal Covenanted Pilot Service, Customs. There was also Part 3 for at least 1910, see following. Pdf downloads.

      1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917 ,1918, 1919, 1920

      1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928 , 1929, 1930

      1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938 ,1939, 1940

      1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950. Later years are also available.

      Mirror versions available on Archive.org: 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920.

      1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930

      1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940

      1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950

      • Part 3 [Separate volume] 1910. Includes Medical Department plus some IMS, and Bengal Police Service. Archive.org.
    • Bihar And Orissa Quarterly Civil List Corrected Up To The 1st April 1931
    • History of Services of Gazetted and other officers serving under the Government of Bihar and Orissa. Pdf downloads. Part 1, 1930, Archive.org version; Part I, 1931, Archive.org version.
    • Bombay Civil List. 1945
    • History of Services of Gazetted and other Officers serving under the Government of Burma July 1931 Vol I Part II . This Volume is titled Officers of Public Works Department. It is available as a pdf download on the Digital Library of India, Archive.org version.
    • History Of Services Of Gazetted Officers In The Civil Department In The Central Provinces Pdf downloads.July 1928, Archive.org version; 1929, Archive.org version; July 1930, Archive.org version. (1879 is available on a limited basis on Hathi Trust Digital Library).
    • Jaipur Half-yearly Civil List. 1942
    • List Of Classified Officers From The North West Province For The Year 1929 Pdf download. Archive.org version. Poor quality text.

    The Quarterly List Of Civil Officers Serving In The North West Frontier Province. 1930 Pdf download Archive.org version

    • The Classified List Of Officers Of The Civil Department Of H E H The Nizam’ s Government. 1932, 1936
    • The Civil List for United Provinces 1913. Part I, May 1947 Archive.org.
    • History of Services of Gazetted Officers (Civil Department) Attached to United Provinces Part II 1913 Index digital page 562 Pdf download. Archive.org version.

    History of Services of Gazetted Officers Civil Department attached to United Provinces 1928 Part VIII Officers of the Public Works Department. Contents computer page 10 Index cp 252 (part missing) Archive.org version.

    • History Of Services Of The Gazetted Government Servants. Wording Punjab Government may not be included in the catalogue.
      • 1928 bar code 2020030002884 48th Edition July 1928. Archive.org version, 1928.
      • History of Services of the Gazetted Government Servants 51st Edition corrected up to Ist July 1931 is in respect of the "Punjab Government, and those serving under the Chief Commissioners, North West Frontier Province, and Delhi, but borne on the combined Cadres" 51st edition July 1931. Archive.org version, 1931.Archive.org version, 1931 2nd file.
      • 1938 Barcode 2020030002682. Similar contents to 1931. 57th Edition July 1938. Archive.org version, 1938
    • Punjab Civil List corrected up to 1st November 1946.
    • Western India States Agency Civil List 1931

Madras

• The Madras New Almanac for 1853: with a General Directory and Register for Madras, Calcutta and Bombay. Arranged and Compiled by Pharoah and Co. Hathi Trust Digital Library

There were various titles over time from other publishers
The Madras Almanac and Compendium of Intelligence; The Madras New Almanac and Compendium of Intelligence; The Asylum Press Almanac and Compendium of Intelligence; The Asylum Press Almanack and Directory of Madras and Southern India

However, search for titles using simple terms such as Madras Almanac, Asylum Press etc

The following books are available to read online on Digital Library of India website.

Update: DLI is not currently operating. Some of these titles may be available on Archive.org.

• The Madras Almanac and Compendium of Intelligence
  • 1857 Summary of contents, computer page 6, detailed contents, computer page 8. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.

Note the edition catalogued as 1859 appears to be catalogued incorrectly, and is another publication

• The Madras New Almanac and Compendium of Intelligence
  • 1861 Summary of contents, computer page 8, detailed contents, computer page 10. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
• The Asylum Press Almanac and Compendium of Intelligence
  • 1872 Contents, computer page 8; Trade List page 503, computer page 544; Part XII Appendix commences following page 638, and is separately numbered, commencing computer page 680 and does not appear to be included in the Contents. Mofussil Directory page 155-187, computer page 842-872 Late alterations, pages 189-185, computer pages 874-880; List of Coffee, Tea and Chinchona Estates, pages 205-214, computer pages 890-899 Residents at Madras pages 215-224, computer page 900-909 Index, page 225, computer page 910. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
  • 1873 Catalogued as Asylum Press Almanak 1873. Contents, computer page 6. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
  • 1874 Summary of Contents, computer page 2;Table of Contents, computer page 6; List of midwives page 692, computer page 727; Part XI Mofussil Directory page 701, computer page 736; Appendix XII follows page 734, computer page 770; Residents at Madras, pages 53-62, computer pages 822-831; Index page 63, computer page 832. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
  • 1878 Unfortunately the pages after page 894 are missing. Summary of Contents, computer page 8; Table of Contents, computer page 10. Part XI Mofussil Directory , page 867, computer page 956, continues to page 894 Travancore Directory then ends. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
  • 1881 Summary of Contents, computer page 8; Table of Contents, computer page 10; Part XI Mofussil Directory, pages 703-752, computer pages 768-817; Part XII Domestic Occurrences, pages 20-26, computer pages 837-843; List of Residents of Madras, pages 27-38, computer pages 844-855; Index, page 39, computer page 856. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
  • 1882 Summary of Contents, computer page 10; Table of Contents, computer page 12; Part XI Mofussil Directory, pages 761-812, computer pages 852-903; Part XII Domestic Occurrences, pages 65-72, computer pages 968-975; List of Residents of Madras, pages 73-82, computer pages 976-985; Index, page 83, computer page 986. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
  • 1883 Summary of Contents, computer page 6; Table of Contents, computer page 8; Part XI Mofussil Directory, pages 779-829, computer pages 840-890; List of Residents of Madras, pages 831-840, computer pages 892-901; Domestic Occurrences, pages 841-847, computer pages 902-908 Index, page 848, computer page 909. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
• The Asylum Press Almanack and Directory of Madras and Southern India
  • 1918 Includes Burma. Summary of Contents, computer page 26. General Index missing. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
  • 1919 Includes Burma. Summary of Contents, computer page 30. General Index commences computer page 2116, but is only two pages A- Bolarum. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
  • 1924 Includes Nizam’s Dominions, Mysore, Travancore and Cochin. Contents, computer page 44. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
  • 1925 Includes Nizam’s Dominions, Mysore, Travancore and Cochin. Contents, Computer page 54. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.
  • 1928 Includes Nizam’s Dominions, Mysore, Travancore and Cochin. Contents, computer page 78. Pdf to download Archive.org mirror version.

FamilySearch microfilms/digitised microfilms

• The Asylum Press Almanac and Compendium of Intelligence for 1865 Microfilm catalogue entry. Refer FamilySearch Centres for information about microfilms and digitised microfilms.

Nilgiri Guide and Directory

1916 Archive.org

Sind

• The Sind Directory. With a map ... Also, a plan of Kurrachee ... A general description of the Punjab, etc. by George Bease 1862 British Library Digital Collection. Note: There do not appears to be any maps digitised.
  • A List of the European and Eurasian Inhabitants in Sind at 1st April 1862 page 252

Singapore, The Straits and Penang

The National Library of Singapore has some Directories which can be read online or downloaded. Refer Singapore for details

Street's Indian and Colonial Mercantile Directory

• 1869 Google Books

• 1870 Google Books

Thacker's Indian Directory

From 1865 to 1884, Thacker published a Bengal Directory, refer above. The 1884 edition included Madras and Bombay Presidencies.

• The 1895 edition is available through the commercial website Ancestry and is searchable, or the images may be browsed.
• The following are available as pdf downloads at DSpace at West Bengal State Central Library. An alternative link is given for ease of access, otherwise use the website Search.
  • 1897
  • 1931 - 1931 Alternative link
  • 1940-41

Digital Library of India is not currently operating. Select the digital files below from the Internet Archive, Archive.org, which are mirror versions of files from the Digital Library of India.

• Thackers Indian Directory 1897- Contents on computer (digital) page 10. DLI title: Thacker's Directory(1897). Mofussil Directory begins computer page 631, Lahore p858, Murree p913 (includes list of residents starting on p914), Rawalpindi p996, Roorkie p1000, Simla p1029-1036 (includes list of residents). Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory 1908 - First 5 pages are blank. Contents on digital p63. Page 1 of text, digital p172. Unfortunately this volume is not complete, as pages after (actual) page 975 are missing. Mofussil Directory begins p91, digital p264. What is thought to be the same digital file is available as a series of pdf downloads at DSpace at West Bengal State Central Library.
• Thackers Indian Directory 1915 - Contents on computer p38. Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory 1920 - Contents missing initial page(s), commences computer p16 at Bi... Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory 1925 - Contents on computer p29, Mofussil Directory begins p973, Railways p1488, List of residents p1834. Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory 1928 - Contents on computer p17 (Nb this edition listed on the DLoI as 'Thacker S Indian Directory 1928') Alphabetical List of Residents computer page 1994. Pdf to download., Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory 1933 - Title page computer p 14. General Index cp 18. Mofussil stations of India cp 860-1287 (Yercaud}. Burma Directory cp 1305-1351. Tea Estates cp 1533. Sugar Cane and Indigo Concerns cp 1586. Coffee and other Produce Estates cp 1590. Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory 1934 - Contents on computer p17; A List of the Civil Divisions of India and Burma computer page 856; Mofussil Stations of India computer page 866 ends computer page 1311 Yercaud. Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory 1935 - Contents on computer p17. DLI title: Thacaers Induan Directory 1935. Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory 1936 - Contents on computer p17. Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thacker's Indian Directory including Burma and Ceylon, 1937-38 Contents commences computer p3. Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory 1938 - Contents on computer p17. Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thacker's Indian Directory including Burma and Ceylon, 1939 - Contents commences computer p17. Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory 1940-41 - Contents commences computer p24. Pdf to download, Archive.org
• Thackers Indian Directory Of India And Pakistan 1951 1953 Contents commences computer p 44. Also available to download as a pdf on OUDL (Osmania University Digital Library). May only be available Indian office hours (IST 10 am to 6 pm), (IST = GMT+5:30). Nb: the pdf is a large file size (305.1Mb). Pdf to download from the Digital Library of India, Archive.org

Nb - use the title as given here in order to find them on the DLoI website.

The Times of India Directory

• The following volumes are available as pdf downloads, Digital Library of India, with mirror editions for most books available on Archive.org (Internet Archive).
  • The Times of India Calendar and Directory for 1897. Catalogued as Calendar And Directory For 1897. Pdf download, Archive.org version.
  • The Times of India Calendar and Directory for 1907. Contains information for India generally but there is more about the Bombay Presidency. Contents, computer page 51; Civil Lists, Bombay, Madras Bengal; Bombay residents, computer page 892; Mofussil Directories for Bombay Presidency, computer page 1064; Railway Directories computer page 1146. Pdf download.
  • The Times of India Directory of Bombay (City and Presidency) Karachi-Poona- Ahmedabad etc. 1932. Index, computer page 42. This book appears in the catalogue as Directory Of Bombay-1932. Pdf download, Archive.org version.
  • The Times of India Directory of Bombay (City and Presidency) Karachi-Poona- Ahmedabad etc. 1935. Index, computer page 26. This book appears in the catalogue as The Times Of India Directory Of Bombay (1935). Pdf download.
  • The Times of India Directory of Bombay (City and Presidency) Karachi-Poona- Ahmedabad etc. 1937 Trade Directory, computer page 16; General Index, computer page 24. Pdf download, Archive.org version.
  • The Times of India Directory of Bombay (City and Provincial) including Karachi and Hyderabad State 1939. Index, computer page 13. This book apppears in the catalogue as Directory Of Bombay City Province 1939 Government Of India. Pdf download. Archive.org version.
  • The Times of India Directory of Bombay City and Province published 1940. General Index, computer page 10;Trade Directory, computer page 28. Pdf download, Archive.org version.
  • The Times Of India Directory And Year Book Who’s Who 1954-1955 Contents, computer page 6; General Index, actual page 1333, computer page 1383. Pdf download, Archive.org version. Also is available to download as a pdf on OUDL (Osmania University Digital Library). May only be available Indian office hours (IST 10 am to 6 pm), (IST = GMT+5:30). Note that the applicable pdf is a large file size (330.5Mb).

Travancore

Also see entries under Madras

• Many editions of the Travancore Almanac 1880-1925, Travancore Almanac and Directory 1911-1944 and Travancore Directory 1939-1948 are available to read online at Kerala State Central Library Rare Books Online. This is probably the same publication, perhaps catalogued differently.

• The following books are available to read online on Digital Library of India website.
  • Travandrum Almanac for 1876 Contents, computer page 6; List of Europeans and Americans, not connected with the Government, computer page 88
  • Travancore Almanac for 1878 Index, computer page 6
  • Travabcire Almanac for 1881 Catalogued incorrectly, should be Travancore. Index, computer page 6
  • The Travancore Directory For 1941 Part I Contents, commences computer page 4, page missing; Index, computer page 439, (only to letter M)

Subscription websites

Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO)

A number of directories from the late 1700’s are available on the website Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO- A part of Gale Digital Collections). The access is restricted to Library Card holders of participating libraries including the following National Libraries (noting there is generally a residential requirement): Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia, State Library of NSW, and many University Libraries. ECCO may also be accessed from the British Library Reading Rooms.

• A List of the Company's civil servants, at their settlements in the East-Indies, the island St. Helena, and China. 1790, 1799. -HEIC lists of senior and junior merchants, factors, and writers
• Bengal calendar. 1787, 1789
• Bengal calendar & register. 1790
• Bengal kalendar and almanack. 1792
• Bengal kalendar and register. 1795, 1800
• Bengal or East-India calendar. 1795 includes details for Madras, Bombay etc
• Bengal register, containing lists of the Hon. Company's civil and military establishments, under the Presidency of Fort William 1787. HEIC employees in Bengal, including surgeons
• Calcutta monthly register. Vol 1, November 1790.
• East India kalendar; or, Asiatic register for Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Fort Marlborough, China, and St. Helena. 1791, 1793, 1794, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1800.
• Oriental magazine; or, Calcutta amusement. 1785

The Making of the Modern World

The Goldsmiths'-Kress Library of Economic Literature 1450-1850. A part of Gale Digital Collections. Similar access conditions apply as for ECCO, refer above.

In addition to volumes noted under The East India Directory and Register above, the following directories relating to India have been noted:

• A List of the Company's civil servants, at their settlements in the East-Indies, the island St. Helena, and China 1785
• East India kalendar; or, Asiatic register for Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Fort Marlborough, China, and St. Helena. 1791, 1792 (1791 is also available on ECCO)
• The Calcutta Star almanac and strangers’ guide in Calcutta : including commercial & trade list for MDCCCXLV. [1844?].

For further details about these two websites , refer Subscription websites-online newspapers, journals and directories

Who's Who In India, Burma and Ceylon

• Tenth Year of Issue 1939, edited by Thos. Peters is available to read online on the Digital Library of India website. Index of names commences computer page 786