Changes

'''IGI''' stands for '''International Genealogical Index'''. The IGI is an This terminology originally applied to the entire enormous database created and maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or [[LDS]], also known as the Mormons, but now has a more restricted meaning. This Please note this page is '''not''' an official LDS page.

==What is the IGI?==The Mormons have an extensive program to microfilm film vast numbers of old records which are an aid to genealogy. For example, they microfilm film records of churches of all denominations, ancient land tax records, military records, shipping lists, census records and so on. They make these microfilms Most records are available to all people, regardless of religion, and depending on your locationalthough a few are restricted to LDS church members. Previously, the filming was available in the form of microfilms can be viewed . However this format is no longer generally available, and microfilms have now all been digitised, although this does NOT mean that all are available to view online. Some records are available to view for free on your home computer, however some records are only available to view at a [[FamilySearch Centres|FamilySearch Centre]], or perhaps at a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, while some records are not available to view online at all, for a small postage chargecontractual, or privacy reasons.

There are two ways an entry can be made into the IGI: * When a parish record (The Church of Jesus Christ of any denomination) is microfilmedLatter-Day Saints or LDS, the now has a website [[LDS]] church extracts the names and details of all christenings and marriageshttps://familysearch. These appear on the IGI as org '''FamilySearch'Extracted Records'' and are highly accurate]. The record will include the film number.* Members Records may be found mainly in three sections of the LDS church submit their own information. These appear on website under the IGI as ''Submitted by LDS Member''category Search, subcategories Records (also called Historical Records), Genealogies, and Family Tree. These entries are In addition, details of variable accuracydigitised microfilms may be located through the Catalogue Search, refer below.

The IGI database has hundreds Records found in the Historical Records category include index transcriptions of millions of names on it. If you microfilmed records, and are new to genealogyaccurate records, apart from transcription errors or if you omissions. In addition, there are beginning to research a new family linedigital pages of images of church, and other, the IGI is a great place to startrecords which have not been transcribed, but please bear in mind that so it is not a complete coverage of all events, and that entries submitted by LDS members can sometimes be inaccuratenecessary to browse these collections.

===India The categories Genealogies and Family Tree contains records===and family trees submitted by users. The Indian section website states: "Accuracy of the data in these genealogies varies from tree to tree; we encourage you to validate all data". The term IGI deals almost exclusively with Europeans and Anglo-Indians (Eurasians)is now restricted to a subcategory of submitted records in Genealogies. In 1994, there were about 240Some records in Family Tree include Sources,000 names for India. If which enables you have a more up-to-date countevaluate, or check, the source of the information, then please update this pagebut some information appears unsupported by evidence, and should be considered speculative.

There are currently two Family Search sites, which we will call "Family Search", or the new website ==India records==The transcribed Historical Records deal almost exclusively with Europeans and "Previous version Family Search"Anglo-Indians (Eurasians), or Pv Family Searchas they are records from Christian churches.

'''Previous version Family Search'''<br> You can view the Indian data online using the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp Advanced Search] on the LDS’s [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp Previous version Family Search] website. Select country "India" (or Singapore etc) You can also search using the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true IGI Search]. The data is almost, but not quite as extensive. Select region “Asia”. Then select country “India” or "All countries" for a wider area including countries such as Singapore, Malaysia etc. There is a facility details following refer to add batch numbers, see belowrecords from Christian churches.

The Pv Family Search '''Update: From 13 December 2017, you need to "Sign In" to the FamilySearch website also includes a [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start Record Search Pilot], which is a pilot project in order to be able to access online images of dataSearch the records'''. Currently (June 2010) it contains This link is located in the data mentioned in top right hand corner of the following paragraphwebsite. Also refer External links, below for details.<br>'''Note''', but this even searching the FamilySearch Catalog may change produce less favourable results if you are not signed in the future.

''' Changes intoduced A new website was introduced 28 April 2010. '''<br>'''Family Search has placed new records on a new website, (which is still "under construction") [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch]'''. '''This is a free website'''.<br>Details:<br>First click on Search/Records. To access the India and Ceylon records from this site, scroll down then click on the page to “Browse by location” and select map for “Asia and Middle East”and select either India, or Sri Lanka. HoweverClick on "Start researching in India".This will bring you to a Search facility which searches all the searchable databases for India (a handy new feature available from c October 2014). The direct link is [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/location/1927063 '''India''']. If you want to search a particular database (for baptisms, marriages or burials), click on "view all collections". India related records baptisms, marriages and burials can also be researched more directly by using the at left side filter [https://www.familysearch.org/ssearch/collection/list#page=1&region=ASIA_MIDDLE_EAST '''Asia and Middle East Records''']. From this link The searchable India records are '''Sri Lanka, Colombo District Dutch Reformed Church Records 1677-1990transcriptions''' , are also available with described as index records and do not contain images online. :'''Note, this web page takes some time to load. This ''': The set of records which comprises the searchable India List records are now also available on [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2011-02/1297851646 post] gives some hints for browsing these [[Ceylonfindmypast]] , as searchable records with images.

The original website [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/location/1927054?region=Sri%20Lanka Sri Lanka page] contains the database '''Sri Lanka, Colombo District Dutch Reformed Church Records 1677-1990''' (Alternative [httphttps://www.familysearch.org/engsearch/catalog/default1780708 catalogue entry]).asp Previous version '''Indexes''' and images online, and further click though to a FamilySearchWiki page about these records. Note, the images may take some time to load. Hints for browsing these [[Ceylon]] images.<ref>Loulie Genealogy. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200930000511/https://mlarchives.rootsweb.com/listindexes/emails?listname=&thread=1316106 LDS - Asia & Middle East - Sri Lanka/Colombo] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'' 16 February 2011, archived. Also Loulie Genealogy. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200507051926/https://lists.rootsweb.com/hyperkitty/list/india.rootsweb.com/thread/35487737/ Dutch Records - Colombo Sri Lanka] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'' 26 November 2019, archived.</ref> <br>A series of images only (not searchable) (added March 2013), accessible from the India page is [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/India,_Gujarat_Diocese_Protestant_Church_Records_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records '''India, Gujarat Diocese Protestant Church Records, 1854-2012'''] Some of the records are in the Hindi and Gujarati languages, but there are some records in English, as evidenced by one of the [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/File:India,_Gujarat,_Protestant_Baptism_1944_DGS_7251285_img_3.jpg sample records] shown. The [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/4092149 Catalogue entry] continues shows some pre 1947 records, but most seem to be post 1947.<br>A further set of images only (not searchable) was added May 2015, [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/India,_Madras_Diocese_Protestant_Church_Records_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records '''India, Madras Diocese Protestant Church Records, 1743-1990'''], baptisms, marriages and burials from the Church of South India, Madras Diocese. [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1123389 Catalogue entry]. These are the type of records known as [[Church records#Bishops' Transcripts|Bishop's Transcripts]], copies sent by parishes to the Diocesan Office. Hints for browsing these records.<ref>Cheryl. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200930001113/https://mlarchives.rootsweb.com/listindexes/emails?listname=&thread=113724 Baptism records - Madras Presidency] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'' 11 November 2016, archived.</ref> '''Note''': The category date range allocated by FamilySeach for these latter records may be very unreliable. As an example for [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-37715-183-8?cc=2174941&wc=3NH8-16F:1584404203 Marriages: 1872 Jul-1877 Jun], page 1 shows some marriages from 1843, and the majority of the records on the first four pages are either earlier or later than the dates specified. '''Update August 2021''': At least some records in this series are being indexed, and in time the two sites will be merged into added to the new siteFamilySearch database, and be searchable.

The LDS website description of the records is "Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records" for births and baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. They in fact appear to be based on the India Office [[Church records|church records]] at the British Library , including the N/5 [[Princely states|Indian States]] records.<ref>India List [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/india/2010-10/1286947107 post 13 October 2010]</ref> However, it appears that the records from the [[LDS Microfilms for Church Records outside of the usual Presidencies# Madras Ecclesiastical Returns - Errors and Omissions 1777-1884| Madras Ecclesiastical Returns - Errors and Omissions 1777-1884]] are '''notFurther images''' included.<ref>Email to User:Maureene dated 20 July 2011 indicates two brothers, Joseph Thorpe, 18, who died 23 Dec 1853 and was buried in may be located through the "Old Cemetery" at Guntoor, Hyderabad Residency and George Benjamin Thorpe, 23, who died 29 Jun 1858 at Jaulnah , who appear in the Omissions Film for Madras Burial (“film B265”) are '''not''' included in the Family catalogue Search data.</ref> Please note that on an individual basis the LDS record does not show all the details available on the original. Also not every India Office church record is recorded in the LDS database. Some individual entries are known to have been '''omitted''', probably due to error.<ref>India List [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2010-04/1272583754 post dated 30 April 2010]</ref> In addition, '''for privacy reasons there appear to be no records shown for dates of birth after January-March 1910, or marriages after January-March 1935'''. (For alternative records, refer below). Death records are available to 1948. Some of the records contain the description Race: White. This should be disregarded as it is a fabrication as the original IOR church records do not contain a classification for race at all. (The few records that do have a classifation for race use the terminology European not white).

In additionTo confuse matters, the Previous version Family Search (small) number of transcribed records for "other" areas in Asia such as [[Macao]], [[Singapore]], [[Bencoolen]] etc available on the FamilySearch website contains now are not found in the Asia category, but in the “All Published Collections” category, subcategory "Other", in a group of records called "World Miscellaneous" and may be accessed through the LDS following links:''' [httphttps://www.familysearch.org/engsearch/Librarycollection/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Library Catalogue1783956 World Miscellaneous Births and Baptisms] for all the LDS microfilms, as does the new site. Currently June 2010, the catalogue on the new website has some problems, and it is better to use the original website for the Library Catalogue. [httphttps://www.londonfhcfamilysearch.org/ London Family History Centresearch/collection/1809045 World Miscellaneous Marriages] has a film catalogue for the , [httphttps://www.londonfhcfamilysearch.org/contentsearch/catalogue?p=Indian+Subcontinent collection/1809046 Indian SubcontinentWorld Miscellaneous Deaths and Burials]'''. Included in this group are records from [[St. Helena]], [[China]] and for a small number from [[Indonesia]], [[httpIran]], previously Persia, and a few records from India and Bangladesh.<ref>[https://www.londonfhcfamilysearch.org/contentwiki/en/catalogue?c=221&p=Indian+SubcontinentWorld_Miscellaneous_Births_and_Baptisms_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records#Coverage_Table World Miscellaneous Births and Baptisms,India IndiaCoverage Table (FamilySearch Historical Records)] in a different format to the main catalogue, classified by geographical regionFamilySearch Wiki. Retrieved 18 January 2020.</ref>

There may also be some records from India and other areas of Asia in the transcribed FamilySearch Index records from [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2221801 Find A Grave] and [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2026973 BillionGraves]. The FamilySearch website previously described the transcribed records for India as "Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records" for births and baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. The current description is "Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City". They in fact appear to be based on the '''India Office [[Church records|church records]] at the British Library , including the N/5 [[Princely states|Indian States]] records'''.<ref>Clark, Noel. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200930001538/https://mlarchives.rootsweb.com/listindexes/emails?listname=&thread=1662558 Notation against burial index record] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'' 13 October 2010, archived.</ref>, although FamilySearch has never confirmed this source. However, it appears that the records from the [[LDS Microfilms for Church Records outside of the usual Presidencies#Madras Ecclesiastical Returns - Omissions and Corrections 1777-1884|Madras Ecclesiastical Returns - Omissions and Corrections 1777-1884]] are '''not''' included.<ref>Email to User:Maureene dated 20 July 2011 indicates two brothers, Joseph Thorpe, 18, who died 23 Dec 1853 and was buried in the "Old Cemetery" at Guntoor, Hyderabad Residency and George Benjamin Thorpe, 23, who died 29 Jun 1858 at Jaulnah , who appear in the Omissions Film for Madras Burial (“film B265”) are '''not''' included in the Family Search data.</ref> Also '''not''' included are the N/11 [[Registrar marriages|Registrar Marriages]] series.  Please note that on an individual basis the LDS record does not show all the details available on the original. Also not every India Office church record is recorded in the LDS database. Some individual entries are known to have been '''omitted''', probably due to error.<ref>Murphy, Sylvia. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200930001854/https://mlarchives.rootsweb.com/listindexes/emails?listname=&thread=1663076 India bdm on FamilySearch] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'' 30 April 2010, archived.</ref> In addition, although in the past for privacy reasons there were no records shown for dates of birth after January-March 1910, or marriages after January-March 1935, (these dates are those applying in April 2010 when the database was introduced and had remained unchanged; Findmypast will generally have later information, which may be full, or limited), at 2020/03/06 it was noticed that records were appearing without restriction, and were available for dates up to c 1948. For alternative records, refer below. Death records are available to 1948. Some of the records contain the description Race: White. This should be disregarded as it is a fabrication as the original IOR church records do not contain a classification for race at all. (The few records that do have a classifation for race use the terminology European not white). If you are searching for a name which could have various spellings, you can search using a single letter replaced by a wildcard question mark '''?''', or the multiple character wildcard asterisk ''' *''' <ref> [https://familysearch.org/blog/en/searching-wildcards-familysearch-2/ Searching with Wildcards in FamilySearch] FamilySearch Blog</ref> Note that the FamilySearch transcribed databases are also available on the pay site Ancestry, (world wide subscription) under the titles "India, Select Marriages 1792-1948"; "India, Select Marriages, 1792-1948"; "India, Select Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948". These records are transcriptions without images. The privacy restrictions appear to be the same as the FamilySearch restrictions.  As mentioned above, the set of records which [apparently] comprises the FamilySearch transcribed India databases (being India Office [[Church records|church records]] at the British Library) are now also available on [[Findmypast]], as searchable records with images.  To find out details of digitised microfilms, use the '''[https://familysearch.org/catalog-search FamilySearch catalogue]''', or reach the same link from the FS Home Page/Search/Catalog. Additionally there is now a Catalogue link on each Location page (introduced 2018/03). Those digitised records which are viewable online in some way contain a camera icon. Some digitised microfilms of Church registers in India are available to view on your home computer. However, if the microfilmed record originated at the British Library, the digitised microfilm must be viewed at a [[FamilySearch Centres|FamilySearch Centre]], or possibly at a Family Search Affiliate Library - check the details in the Catalogue entry for the microfilm number, but make sure you are previously signed in, as different information can be displayed depending on your sign in status. There is an alternative way of locating some (but not all) digitised microfilms, through FS Home Page/Search/Images. [https://www.familysearch.org/records/images/ Explore Historical Images] enables a Search by Place, or the Advanced Search includes more options including DGS number, (described below) but '''not''' by a person's name. The records available are those that may be viewed on home computers without any restriction, so excludes any records originating from the British Library. You can view all online data at '''[[Family History Centres|FamilySearch Centres]] (previously also known as Family History Centres) (FHC) if '''. Check whether you do not otherwise have online access. You may need to can book a computer at the FHC. A personal "Sign In", as above, is required at a FHC.

'''If you have found a transcribed record from the India Births, Marriages or Burials on Family SearchFamilySearch, as stated previously please be aware that this is not a full record. It is recommended that you view the original entry from the microfilm quoted.''' This will almost always contain occupational information which may provide a valuable clue for the location of further records. In addition, you can check that there have been no transcription errors. '''Information about ordering microfilms or photocopies /digitised microfilms may be found in the Fibiwiki article [[FamilySearch Centres]]. In addition there is a new (c 2021 May) FamilySearch service, about which conflicting information has been seen, but '''possibly''' may be relevant to obtaining a copy of India related records, being the [https://www.familysearch.org/family-history-library/family-history-library-records-look-up-service Family History CentresLibrary Record Look up Service] - note however the online form requires an image number which generally is not available from the FamilySearch record, but there is conflicting advice about whether the image number is essential. Note also that there is an alternative way to obtain a copy of a record, as '''most of the record images are now available on the pay website [[Findmypast]]'''. If the image is available on Findmypast, this may be the most convenient method for many people. If the image is not available on Findmypast, and the Family History Library Look up service is not applicable, and a FamilySearch Centre, or if applicable a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, is not geographically convenient, there is the option to request a copy from the [[British Library]] (fee applies), (which may be the cheapest option for some people, noting that at times the India Births, Marriages or Burials images have not been available at FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries).

When a microfilm has been digitised it is also, in addition to the microfilm number, allocated a DGS number, referred to as a Digital Folder number. The latter number appears to becoming the main reference number for a record set. (The URL for a record set has the format (at 2021/12) <nowiki>https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007251509</nowiki> where the last number is the DGS number, from [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/4092149 catalogue entry]. The format including an image number (example image 45) is <nowiki>https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007251509?i=44</nowiki>, where the last number is one less than the actual image number). *[[Using LDS Microfilms | How to Use Church Records on Microfilm]]:Note comment above there may be problems with the access of both catalogue information, and the databases.:Instructions on how to use the microfilmed copies of the Ecclesiatical Returns and their indexes at an LDS [[Family History Centres| Family History Centre]]. Read these instructions if you are searching for '''records of births after 1910, or marriages after 1935''' which are not shown in the online indexed records on FamilySearch because of privacy reasons. Note however the records sent to England '''declined in number from the early 1930s''' with relatively minimal numbers in the 1940s.

: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 and "Madras Ecclesiastical Returns - Errors Omissions and Omissions Corrections 1777-1884"