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Research Guides

FIBIS Fact Files

 

Research Guides

Product code: BKF-0001 Non-Members: click here Members: £3.60 P&P: UK £1, Euope £1.60, rest of world £2.50

Baxter's guide: Biographical sources in the India Office Records 2004 by Ian A Baxter FIBIS, in association with the British Library, have published the Third Edition of this invaluable guide to the India Office Records (held at the British Library). The Third Edition contains a Glossary and list of Ecclesiastical Returns Areas, as well as a colour map on the back cover showing the three Presidencies, British India Provinces and Indian Princely States. Ian Baxter was formerly a Curator of the India Office Records and is now retired. He is currently a FIBIS Member.

Product code: BKF-002 Non-Members: click here Members: £4.50 P&P: UK £1.50, Europe £2, rest of the world £3 P&p for larger quantities upon application.	Researching ancestors in the East India Company Armies 2006 (FIBIS research guide; no. 1) by Peter A Bailey A comprehensive Guide to biographical sources on the officers and men of the East India Company's armies covering recruitment, service, retirement and pension records, from the late 18th century 'till the Company's abolition in 1858. Both India Office and LDS film references are given.
FIBIS Fact Files

Product code: BFF-001 Non-Members: Members: £1.50 P&P: UK £0.50, Europe £2.10, rest of the world £2.60

Researching Anglo-Indian ancestry. 2009 (FIBIS fact files; 1) 21pp. Essential for any family historian with blended ethnicity. The booklet contains two expanded and updated articles previously published in the FIBIS "Journal": "The children of John Company : the Anglo-Indians" by Geraldine Charles, and "A Luso-Indian voyage" by Cliff Pereira. These two authorities provide invaluable information: definitions of the various terms used for those of mixed race in the Indian sub-continent, a brief background history of these communities, reading lists, and, by using their own families as a basis, a demonstration of how to effectively research Anglo-Indian ancestors.

Product code: BFF-002 Non-Members: Members: £1.50 P&P: UK £0.50, Europe £2.10, rest of the world £2.60

Getting started with the India Office Records. 2009 (FIBIS fact files; 2) 19pp. Planning your first visit to the British Library? This very practical booklet contains two articles which will reduce stress and possible frustration when beginning research using the India Office Records at the British Library in London. Lawrie Butler was the former FIBIS Research Officer and his helpfully illustrated article "Hints on research in the India Office Records at the British Library Asian and African Studies reading room" carefully sets out what can be accomplished before visiting the library, how to gain admission to the library, and what to do once you enter the reading room in order to obtain maximum results. Elaine MacGregor's article "First visits to the OIOC by a 'newbie'" is a useful case study recounting her experience of using the reading room. Both articles were previously published in the FIBIS "Journal".

Product code: BFF-003 Non-Members: Members: £1.50 P&P: UK £0.50, Europe £2.10, rest of the world £2.60

Indian Directories 2009 (FIBIS fact files; 3) 16pp. by Richard Morgan FIBIS Fact File No. 3 provides an invaluable guide to the printed directories available on people who lived or served in British India , with examples of the kind of information useful to family historians to be found in them. Written by Richard Morgan, whom many will know from his articles in family history journals on genealogical research relating to India , it is in his characteristically brisk and down-to-earth style, and full of practical advice on how to get the best out of these important sources. In particular he draws attention to the sometimes underestimated Thacker's Indian Directory which so often comes to the rescue when your ancestor was a 'non-official' and therefore omitted from almost all the official records. All the directories discussed are readily available at the British Library and directions are given on locating them elsewhere.

Product code: BFF-004 Non-Members: Members: £1.50 P&P: UK £0.50, Europe £2.10, rest of the world £2.60

Research sources for Indian Railways, 1845-1947. 2009 (FIBIS fact files; 4) 28pp. by Hugh Wilding FIBIS Fact File No. 4 is the latest in the series of handy guides to sources being produced by the Families in British India Society. Inspired by the discovery that a great grandfather had been an employee of the Indian Railways, the author has over the past fifteen years made himself thoroughly acquainted with all UK sources for researching ancestors connected with the Indian railway system. After an introduction which includes an article by Anthony West, another FIBIS researcher in this field, Wilding provides comprehensive lists of the relevant UK archives covering not only the India Office Records, but also The National Archives, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and the Centre of South Asian Studies. There is also a very full book list, a glossary, and – something which has probably never before been attempted – a complete finding list of railways known to have operated in India between 1853 and 1947.