FIBIS Search Site

The data presented here have been contributed by a number of hardworking and enthusiastic individuals and a small army of ‘FIBIS Volunteers’.  The data are very largely taken from sources within the British Library’s India Office Records Section (IOR) to whom thanks are also due for authority to publish them here. It is a firm FIBIS policy that these data be provided free to ‘all-comers’ and we hope that they prove to be of significant help in your research.

Coming and Going to India

One of the primary sources for tracing the involvement of the British in India are the maritime records.  Everyone who went to India went by ship, and many records were kept detailing embarkations, disembarkations and notices of arrivals.  FIBIS has transcribed many of these and details of over 183,000 individuals can be found in these databases. Additionally we have many pictures of the ships which brought people to India. Also look at the places where your ancestors lived and worked. The Charles Grant 1825  (Courtesy of The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich)   Military Passages To India Lists of EIC Recruits to India Details of each recruit in Britain to the East India Company’s Armies were given in the “Embarkation Lists” (IOR Series L/MIL/9/85 to 104). "Lord Camden" 1775 Embarkation List Ships (1740 - 1755), “Minerva” (1827), “Thames” (1829), “Essex” (1840), “Kent” (1847), “Elizabeth” (1848) “Rockingham” Ships Log List of soldiers from 12th Regiment of Foot embarking for India aboard the Indiaman Rockingham in 1796   Passenger Arrival and Departure Notices from Publications Bengal Passenger Arrival and Departure Notices (Various publications) (1817 – 1857) These records show notices of people arriving in, and departing from Bengal. They are taken from various publications including the Bengal Almanac, Bengal Directory, Calcutta Annual Register, Calcutta Directory and Calcutta Calendar. Bombay Passenger Arrival and Departure Notices Bombay Calendar (1816 – 1853) Madras Passenger Arrival and Departure Notices (1810 – 1860) Madras Almanac   Ships Passenger Lists Duke of Sussex 1830 A List of Passengers and Seamen aboard EICS Duke of Sussex during the Season 1830 on her voyage from Gravesend to Bombay - Singapore - Macao - Whampoa - St Helena - Blackwall - Portsmouth from 1831 to 1832 (IOR L/MAR/L/B87C) Duke of York 1821 A List of Passengers and Crew of EICS on voyage from Gravesend to Bombay carrying a wing of H.M. 4th Light Dragoons plus their wives and children in 1821-1822 (IOR L/MAR/94G) Dunira 1821 List of Passengers and Crew aboard EIC Ship "Dunira" for her voyage from Gravesend to Bombay in 1821-1822 (IOR L/MAR/B 21A) S.S. Peninsular 1903 Capt. W.B. PALMER, R.N.R. Leaving Bombay on 7th October 1903 FOR MARSEILLES AND LONDON The FIBIS database also has some great pictures of East Indiamen, the stately vessels which plyed between the Uk and the Far East.  These images are kindly authorized by the National Maritime Museum for display on the FIBIS web-site, and can be found here:   Pictures Pictures of East Indiamen Bombay hourbour Government Dockyard, Bombay   Search or browse the records and images, there are loads more of interest. How To Start Try a Quick Search to quickly find a person, or for a more in depth search with a better chance of getting good results click on the search link. Looking for a Ship or Regiment? Then try a dataset search and choose from the drop down list Want to see how your ancestors lived? Try browsing our photo library or search though the thumbnails Please Note Every reasonable effort has been made to check the accuracy of the transcriptions. However, in view of the very large number of entries, it is possible that a few errors will have crept in. If so, we regret this but can accept no responsibility for any distraction that this may introduce. The records are nearly all provided with the IOR Catalogue Numbers and, where possible the LDS microfilm numbers, to enable your cross-checking, which is recommended.  If you spot any errors then please let us know by posting a message on our feedback forum.