Karnataka Genealogical Records

Karnataka Birth & Baptism Records

British India Births and Baptisms (1710-1960)

Digital images, searchable by a name and place index, of registers recording over 700,000 baptisms in British India. They comprise largely of baptisms performed in Anglican and Presbyterian churches, but include records of other faiths, such as Catholic and Armenian Apostolic.

European Births and Baptisms in India (1786-1947)

An index of baptisms from European churches in India. The records typically record the child's name, date of birth & baptism, and parents' names. Original records can be viewed at the British Library or LDS centres.

British Civil Service Evidence of Age Index (1752-1948)

An index to evidences provided to the British Civil Service Commission to establish the age of prospective and current civil servants. The index includes date & place of birth and provides a reference to surviving documents.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

British Nationals Born Overseas (1818-2006)

An index to births of British citizens born overseas that were registered with the British Consul or High Commissioner. Provides a reference that can be used to order a birth certificate.

Karnataka Marriage & Divorce Records

British India Marriages (1710-1983)

Digital images, searchable by a name and place index, of registers recording over 450,000 marriages in British India. They comprise largely of marriages performed in Anglican and Presbyterian churches, but include records of other faiths, such as Catholic and Armenian Apostolic.

European Marriages in India (1792-1948)

An index to marriages solemnised in European churches in India. The records typically record the date of marriage, names of those to be wed and their father's names. Original records can be viewed at the British Library or LDS centres.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

British Nationals Married Overseas (1818-2005)

An index to marriages of British citizens overseas that were registered with the British Consul or High Commissioner Provides a reference that can be used to order a marriage certificate.

British Nationals Married Overseas (1818-2005)

An index to marriages of British citizens abroad registered with the British Consul or the UK High Commission.

Karnataka Death & Burial Records

British India Deaths and Burials (1710-1959)

Digital images, searchable by a name and place index, of registers recording over 450,000 burials in British India. They comprise largely of burials recorded by Anglican and Presbyterian churches, but include records of other faiths, such as Catholic and Armenian Apostolic.

European Deaths and Burials in India (1719-1948)

An index of burials registered by European churches in India. They typically record the name of the deceased, date of death and date of burial. Original records can be viewed at the British Library or LDS centres.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

Jewish Online Worldwide Burial Registry (1550-Present)

A searchable database of over 1 million Jewish burials with photographs of the matzevot.

Commonwealth WWII Civilian Deaths (1939-1945)

This database contains seven volumes listing civilians in the British Commonwealth and Empire who died during World War II.

Newspapers Covering Karnataka

Allen's Indian Mail (1845-1873)

A periodical containing birth, marriage & death announcements, military appointments, announcements & casualties, passenger lists and many other details, including news of the British Empire in the East. Most editions up to 1873.

Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (1842-1900)

A moderate liberal newspaper published in London, but covering news throughout the British Empire. Regularly published births, marriages and deaths.

Reynold's News (1850-1900)

A 'radical' liberal magazine published for the working class.

Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bombay (1841-1954)

A periodical that covers various facet's of India's history.

Morning Chronicle (1801-1865)

A national newspaper with a Whig allegiance. The newspaper was the first to report on the proceedings of Parliament. It gave a large amount of column-space to politics, but covered literature and other topics.

Karnataka Wills & Probate Records

British India Wills & Probate (1774-1948)

Digital images of wills, inventories, administrations and other probate documents of residents of the Indian Empire. The documents can be searched by a name and place index. They relate largely to British subjects, but also contain other Europeans, Indians, Jews etc.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (PPV) (1384-1858)

A index to testators whose will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. They principally cover those who lived in the lower two thirds of Britain, but contain wills for residents of Scotland, Ireland, British India and other countries. A copy of each will may be purchased for digital download.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (Subscription) (1384-1858)

An index and digital images of PCC wills, available on a subscription basis.

Dougal's Unclaimed Money Register (1650-1910)

A register of over 70,000 unclaimed estates.

Index to Heirs at law (1700-1872)

A list of names, primarily of those who left unclaimed estates, but also relating to debts and legal cases.

Karnataka Immigration & Travel Records

Australian Convict Transportation Registers (1791-1868)

Registers recording those who by their criminal deeds were sentenced to be transported to Australia. Records include name, date & place of conviction, term of sentence, ship sailed on, departure date and the name of the colony they were to be sent to.

Transportations to New South Wales (1788-1842)

Digital images of registers recording British convicts being transported to New South Wales. Records may include age, crime, physical description, nativity, marital status, number of children, trade and more. Searchable by a name and place index.

New South Wales Convict Ship Records (1790-1849)

This database consists of ship muster lists of convicts being transported from the British Empire to New South Wales.

Devonians in the Colonies (1900-1901)

An index to records detailing the ancestry of some 300 people of Devonian descent living in British colonies and the Unite States.

Karnataka Military Records

WWI Commonwealth Casualty Lists (1914-1920)

A list of over 1.3 million British and Commonwealth servicemen who were injured during World War One.

British India Army & Navy Pensions (1772-1945)

A collection of various records that can detail biographical, genealogical and military details of British soldiers in the Indian Empire. The records can be searched by a name index, which is linked to digital images of documents.

UK WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls (1914-1920)

An index to over 6.5 million medals and awards bestowed on British military personnel. The awards are the British War Medal, Allied Victory Medal, 1914 Star, Territorial War Force Medal and Allied Subjects Medal; the latter of which contains many French, Belgians and Dutch.

Indian Army List, 1 Jan 1912 (1912)

A transcript of a work that cataloged the names, military particulars and sometimes other details such as date of birth for over 40,000 officers in the British Indian Army.

Great Britain Army War List (1893)

A listing of officers from the War Office, HQ staff, volunteer infantry brigades, RMC, field marshals, colonels, unemployed officers and more.

Perry's Bankrupt Gazette (1828-1867)

A publication giving brief details of bankruptcies, including the names of parties and companies involed.

Dougal's Unclaimed Money Register (1650-1910)

A register of over 70,000 unclaimed estates.

Calendar of State Papers Colonial (1513-1739)

Calendars to records relating to British colonies.

Journals of the Board of Trade and Plantations (1704-1782)

Records of the meetings of a body that promoted British trade.

Index to Heirs at law (1700-1872)

A list of names, primarily of those who left unclaimed estates, but also relating to debts and legal cases.

Karnataka Directories & Gazetteers

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

Kelly's Clergy Directory (1909)

A directory of the Church of England, its institutions and ministers.

The East India Register (1844)

A searchable copy of a book that lists those in the employ of the East India company. It also contains much official information and birth, marriage and death notices.

The Court & City Register (1783)

Books containing information of use to the upper class of the time, including notes on the royal families of Europe, British peers, MPs, military officials, government officials, important institutions and their officers, leading professionals of the Empire, calendars and more.

CIA World Factbook (1994)

A statistic and descriptive gazetteer of nations.

Karnataka Cemeteries

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Karnataka Histories & Books

Ancestry Member Stories (6000 BC-Present)

Over 7 million remembrances and historic details submitted by Ancestry members. Useful for local historians.

Ancestry Member Photos & Documents (6000 BC-Present)

Over 60 million historic photographs and documents submitted to Ancestry. This rich collection contains many rare sources of interest to local historians and will be relevant to most genealogical research.

Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bombay (1841-1954)

A periodical that covers various facet's of India's history.

Colonial Office List (1870)

A searchable book containing descriptions of British colonies, statistics, information on officials and more.

Colonial Office List (1863)

A searchable book containing descriptions of British colonies, statistics, information on officials and more.

Karnataka Occupation & Business Records

East India Company & Civil Service Pensions (1762-1947)

Registers recording pension applications and payments for the British East India Company and the Civil Service in British India. Can contain details on the pensioner, their family, marriages, deaths, births and other details. Contains digital images of the registers.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

East India Register and Directory (1855)

A list of the servants of the East India Company, including civilians, military and marine personnel, European residents and mariners with interests in India. This is a searchable database, linked to digital images of the book.

East India Company Pensions (1793-1833)

Contains the name, rank, when the pension was granted, rate and source of annual pension, the period the pension was granted and the grounds on which the pension was granted for East India Company employees. Contains digital images of the registers.

India Office List (1933)

A directory of the civil service of the Government of India and military, including the dates of appointment, promotions and qualifications, recipients of medals and awards. Includes the rules and regulations of the Civil Service.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Karnataka

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Genealogics (1400 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked families. It largely covers royalty and nobility, but also contains actors, footballers and American presidents.

Ancestry World Tree (6000 BC-1997)

A collection of legacy trees submitted by Ancestry users containing nearly 400 million individuals.

Karnataka Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Genealogics (1400 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked families. It largely covers royalty and nobility, but also contains actors, footballers and American presidents.

British Imperial Calendar (1895)

A listing of the key persons of royal (and associated) institutions, from the royal family & peerage to parliament and the British Museum.

Karnataka Church Records

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Crockford's Clerical Directory (1929)

A directory listing Anglican parishes and other divisions of the Church or England hierarchy and their various religious officers. The directory covers the UK and Anglican churches throughout the world.

Biographical Directories Covering Karnataka

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Karnataka Maps

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Karnataka Reference Works

FIBIS Wiki (1600-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching your Ancestry in British India. Contains numerous categorised sources.

Most Common Surnames in Karnataka

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in India
1Patil461,1331:3412.53%21
2Madar134,3601:11594.45%480
3Nayka128,9831:12099.12%519
4Hiremath128,4021:12192.17%490
5Lamani122,2791:12797.69%541
6Badiger105,1021:14798.81%628
7Biradar103,2651:15066.90%443
8Talavar102,6361:15195.53%623
9Mulla101,8331:15247.05%334
10Kambale93,9391:16564.82%473
11Rathod86,7631:1794.22%38
12Pujari86,5281:17929.53%262
13Kumar86,3961:1790.28%3
14Nadaph81,2581:19199.21%781
15Harijan81,0061:19120.63%202
16Cavhan68,0241:22899.72%929
17Kumbar65,8501:23595.10%917
18Kulakarni63,5621:24494.54%940
19Pujar62,9561:24688.10%891
20Jadhav62,4151:2483.04%39
21Gauda61,2841:25330.01%358
22Nayak56,2881:2752.71%36
23Nayik55,3811:28097.32%1,111
24Hadapad54,2911:28599.11%1,144
25Sekha54,2151:2868.50%121
26Bhajantri52,3651:29698.32%1,181
27Pavar51,3521:30236.15%481
28Angadi49,5841:31284.73%1,083
29Desayi47,6661:32599.87%1,295
30Valikar46,7001:33297.37%1,290
31Calavadi45,6181:34099.99%1,345
32Hosamani44,8641:34598.14%1,342
33Dodamani41,2211:37697.82%1,424
34Vaddar37,8701:40999.13%1,556
35Madivalar36,0321:43099.84%1,642
36Setti34,1941:45364.32%1,184
37Hugar34,1111:45498.00%1,699
38Pujeri33,7661:45997.94%1,710
39Jamadar32,6361:47521.93%461
40Gaudar31,2991:49597.68%1,811
41Mujavar30,7011:50584.23%1,625
42Mathapati30,3221:51196.63%1,844
43Hegade29,5041:52566.30%1,373
44Pattar28,6301:54195.08%1,920
45Kuri28,6211:54176.43%1,582
46Sindhe28,4891:54494.03%1,907
47Makanadar28,0151:55399.24%2,038
48Kammar27,8321:55798.30%2,033
49Sanadi27,2721:56894.68%1,997
50Doddamani26,5541:58498.22%2,113
51Mali26,4441:5864.58%133
52Meti24,7511:62695.14%2,188
53Patel24,3851:6350.58%19
54Bandivaddar24,3621:63699.81%2,307
55Pathan24,1731:6412.81%93
56Bagavan23,8571:64990.08%2,154
57Hadimani23,8141:65196.04%2,270
58Khota23,6601:65596.66%2,301
59Attar23,2361:66750.68%1,337
60Kambar23,1151:67097.36%2,352
61Mane23,1131:6705.21%179
62Uppar22,9171:67697.35%2,375
63Sutar22,4911:6898.72%293
64Kattimani22,2741:69690.08%2,278
65Koli22,0771:7024.77%171
66Bepari21,9561:70644.84%1,267
67Reddy21,9321:7063.13%111
68Naykar21,7551:71299.08%2,513
69Dalavayi21,5851:71898.67%2,518
70Singh20,8091:7450.06%2
71Kadam19,0771:8122.67%108
72Gurav19,0691:81310.31%388
73Rao19,0051:8153.78%160
74Kalal18,8641:82153.18%1,675
75Ganiger18,4381:84099.16%2,893
76Josi18,3551:8448.09%324
77Kolakar17,4761:88797.78%3,000
78Bhatt17,4501:88813.47%523
79Metri17,0841:90784.40%2,693
80Sunagar17,0781:90798.71%3,092
81Hubballi16,2541:95399.60%3,257
82Bhat15,9141:9746.91%316
83Caugule15,9041:97499.51%3,314
84Inamadar15,8361:97889.30%3,019
85Teli15,6411:99119.15%788
86Ballari14,9101:1,03985.64%3,072
87Kittur14,8201:1,04694.36%3,367
88Caugal14,5781:1,063100.00%3,602
89Magadumm14,4621:1,07199.99%3,633
90Malagi14,1821:1,09397.53%3,612
91Gowda14,1551:1,09558.79%2,331
92Budihal14,1411:1,09699.33%3,694
93Betageri14,0681:1,10199.01%3,701
94Savanur13,9681:1,10997.27%3,657
95Koppad13,9121:1,11498.92%3,739
96Navi13,9041:1,11439.69%1,693
97Madival13,8891:1,11686.96%3,315
98Jain13,7971:1,1231.46%83
99Shetty13,7061:1,1318.87%442
100Bajantri13,6751:1,13388.16%3,397
101Katti13,5931:1,14058.78%2,415
102Rajaput13,5871:1,14011.07%551
103Dasar13,5681:1,14290.85%3,525
104Mulimani13,5311:1,14597.74%3,804
105Bagevadi13,4731:1,15095.55%3,729
106Banakar13,3291:1,16291.92%3,621
107Raj13,2911:1,1661.38%81
108Pujer13,2181:1,17299.59%3,953
109Pattanasetti13,1251:1,181100.00%4,003
110Gaudr12,9301:1,19899.52%4,035
111Prasad12,8571:1,2050.33%20
112More12,7981:1,2111.68%99
113Ambiger12,7641:1,21498.86%4,060
114Agasar12,7081:1,21999.19%4,089
115Momin12,7071:1,2194.39%270
116Manga12,7041:1,22052.60%2,323
117Kambali12,6661:1,22387.35%3,622
118Desapande12,4201:1,24896.65%4,077
119Gupta12,3421:1,2550.44%25
120Baraker12,3211:1,25899.89%4,233
121Sharma12,0081:1,2900.24%14
122Halli11,7481:1,31994.00%4,183
123Barki11,6751:1,32797.37%4,355
124Karigar11,6091:1,33562.07%2,874
125Bhosale11,5361:1,34317.42%949
126Khaji11,2831:1,37391.70%4,252
127Itagi11,2641:1,37696.77%4,490
128Lohar11,2391:1,3793.12%221
129Sajjan11,2131:1,38278.28%3,671
130Gavade11,1861:1,38555.05%2,679
131Khan11,1011:1,3960.24%17
132Hosur11,0281:1,40595.75%4,527
133Mathad10,9291:1,41888.19%4,221
134Caugale10,9261:1,41899.62%4,747
135Suryavansi10,9041:1,42192.34%4,426
136Kadakol10,8831:1,42497.37%4,666
137Bhandari10,7241:1,4454.42%308
138Kale10,6871:1,4502.18%164
139Saudagar10,6351:1,45739.93%2,138
140Yadav10,5841:1,4640.15%7
141Disoj10,5221:1,47399.06%4,893
142Salunke10,4951:1,4768.46%547
143Natikar10,4471:1,48390.81%4,534
144Naragund10,4361:1,48599.52%4,966
145Savant10,4231:1,48737.80%2,075
146Dharavad10,3881:1,49296.33%4,817
147Sirahatti10,3441:1,49899.70%5,013
148Avati10,2271:1,51565.65%3,386
149Caudhari10,1831:1,5223.14%245
150Jamakhandi10,1151:1,53290.82%4,681
151Konnur10,0911:1,53694.32%4,857
152Kori10,0541:1,54119.07%1,192
153Bagali10,0121:1,54887.83%4,581
154Gayakavad9,9681:1,55425.55%1,525
155Olekar9,9491:1,55780.56%4,232
156Annigeri9,9461:1,55898.57%5,152
157Patagar9,9451:1,55899.72%5,208
158Hatti9,9011:1,56587.83%4,632
159Maniyar9,8751:1,56920.51%1,285
160Bhovi9,8341:1,57698.69%5,216
161Sunkad9,7521:1,58998.59%5,258
162Koti9,7061:1,59636.00%2,118
163Naykodi9,6291:1,60976.95%4,179
164Kaladagi9,6011:1,61494.66%5,120
165Prabhu9,5271:1,62618.97%1,244
166Kurubar9,4781:1,63599.58%5,430
167Sinde9,4671:1,63763.55%3,538
168Dodmani9,4131:1,64677.52%4,308
169Gasti9,3871:1,65195.05%5,266
170Killedar9,3481:1,65867.09%3,777
171Matha9,3261:1,66168.69%3,871
172Bilagi9,1921:1,68696.77%5,447
173Huded9,1431:1,69599.06%5,586
174Kamat9,0711:1,7086.54%492
175Hegde9,0701:1,70855.57%3,256
176Parit9,0551:1,71124.59%1,607
177Devadig9,0311:1,71698.87%5,632
178Das9,0121:1,7190.08%4
179Karadi8,9961:1,72285.99%4,981
180Myageri8,9601:1,72998.85%5,677
181Gadivaddar8,8991:1,74196.31%5,578
182Kulkarni8,8511:1,7512.87%253
183Tahasildar8,8071:1,75988.07%5,199
184Sirur8,7961:1,76297.64%5,704
185Naganur8,5251:1,81898.35%5,889
186Jambagi8,4831:1,82795.70%5,781
187Kamate8,4261:1,83991.44%5,595
188Vali8,3801:1,84914.51%1,093
189Jaina8,3571:1,85475.33%4,693
190Acari8,3391:1,85895.14%5,835
191Totad8,3231:1,86297.77%5,992
192Hipparagi8,3221:1,86287.71%5,454
193Babu8,2941:1,8681.95%185
194Ullagaddi8,2781:1,87299.01%6,082
195Huddar8,2341:1,88287.11%5,466
196Gollar8,1911:1,89291.69%5,744
197Ganacari8,1771:1,89599.88%6,191
198Saiyad8,1281:1,9064.93%421
199Gadad8,0621:1,92294.14%5,958
200Mulagund8,0131:1,93498.76%6,239