Tamil Nadu Genealogical Records

Tamil Nadu 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.

Tamil Nadu 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.

Tamil Nadu 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 Tamil Nadu

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.

Tamil Nadu 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.

Tamil Nadu 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.

Tamil Nadu 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.

Tamil Nadu 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.

Tamil Nadu Cemeteries

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

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

Tamil Nadu 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.

Tamil Nadu 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 Tamil Nadu

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.

Tamil Nadu 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.

Tamil Nadu 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 Tamil Nadu

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Tamil Nadu 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.

Tamil Nadu Reference Works

FIBIS Wiki (1600-Present)

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

Most Common Surnames in Tamil Nadu

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in India
1Ma1,954,9901:894.51%37
2Mi649,3891:2594.46%113
3Ti595,3661:2798.06%128
4Ta483,3311:3391.55%151
5Ya392,6591:4197.69%197
6Cami275,4241:5899.99%280
7Ra274,3891:5874.86%218
8Tira256,0511:6399.93%295
9Pa236,2521:6870.28%233
10Kumar214,5221:750.69%3
11Ci154,5121:10499.54%441
12Vati147,0241:10928.59%154
13Vara122,4091:13184.20%471
14Mana115,0391:13976.45%458
15Ka114,4551:14071.24%428
16Aira101,9221:15799.80%647
17Mar100,2261:16077.13%522
18Maya100,1351:16084.79%574
19Mati97,4881:16454.37%395
20La96,5071:16663.87%455
21Na92,2271:17448.08%377
22Kara80,1641:20084.02%684
23Veca79,0431:20399.98%824
24Ali78,8871:2031.54%13
25Tara76,8081:20972.36%630
26Eva69,6531:23099.90%911
27Mala69,0231:23238.75%397
28Raja68,6091:23323.50%264
29Tina68,5731:23498.86%916
30Raj68,0441:2357.05%81
31Paya63,3651:25396.17%955
32Taka62,9931:25496.66%970
33Eka61,6001:26090.88%931
34Kiya60,1131:26699.73%1,038
35Ema57,3901:27993.88%1,025
36Ki56,9961:28195.63%1,058
37Yacami54,5101:294100.00%1,151
38Li54,0321:29686.53%1,003
39Tieva53,2361:301100.00%1,182
40Lika51,9521:30899.42%1,207
41Jaya49,7921:32273.93%937
42Epaka48,7811:32899.98%1,270
43Etavi47,3321:338100.00%1,304
44Mal46,1621:3478.23%140
45Etava45,7731:350100.00%1,340
46Tiekaya45,2221:354100.00%1,354
47Tiya44,2421:36297.98%1,358
48Pasa43,7731:36693.72%1,317
49Ramana42,7571:37554.75%831
50Raka42,3211:37893.62%1,355
51Mara42,0521:38185.42%1,264
52Epakam41,8481:383100.00%1,437
53Aipaya41,2091:389100.00%1,458
54Nisa40,9541:39136.34%603
55Kana40,1771:39987.64%1,338
56Panu39,8341:40298.67%1,481
57Tima39,4141:40698.59%1,494
58Kuma39,2461:40881.09%1,279
59Ca38,0531:42178.77%1,283
60Kita37,8241:42398.72%1,552
61Cana37,7371:42497.29%1,533
62Tti37,5881:42695.43%1,511
63Ena37,3131:42969.47%1,172
64Rana36,1191:4433.86%86
65Emali36,0401:44499.93%1,646
66Tika35,6031:45098.00%1,632
67Sa35,4921:45117.94%367
68Paka35,4401:45282.44%1,407
69Tala34,4551:46555.84%1,014
70Kam33,5021:47893.52%1,657
71Vaca32,8161:48899.77%1,772
72Pava32,0551:50081.41%1,512
73Para30,8601:51964.16%1,286
74Mavati30,3631:52799.74%1,898
75Keva29,7641:53899.64%1,935
76Ketaca28,1191:570100.00%2,043
77Mata28,0171:57263.01%1,375
78Tacami27,6371:579100.00%2,072
79Naka27,4901:58392.64%1,953
80Kacami26,5091:60499.86%2,147
81Tana26,3621:60876.73%1,719
82Emakaila26,0261:615100.00%2,186
83Nata25,7391:62277.13%1,761
84Rapa25,5971:62698.12%2,180
85Rani24,8571:6441.24%41
86Mani24,8181:64518.66%509
87Ja24,7981:64649.22%1,241
88Ainaya24,6331:650100.00%2,289
89Namaila24,5331:653100.00%2,296
90Pati24,3771:6579.96%304
91Epa24,0831:66597.00%2,266
92Pivi23,9181:67098.02%2,308
93Rama23,8411:67228.34%755
94Nan23,5181:68195.36%2,285
95Aima23,0111:69697.72%2,373
96Raca22,8101:70296.07%2,351
97Erama22,7291:70596.11%2,363
98Snan22,6411:70799.99%2,458
99Kan22,6281:70891.83%2,287
100Nevana22,4191:714100.00%2,478
101Kala22,2861:71916.03%491
102Aila22,1931:72291.94%2,324
103Pana21,7371:73762.83%1,702
104Palaka21,7291:73763.38%1,725
105Ciya21,5551:74399.93%2,549
106Yana21,4191:74892.15%2,405
107Rapakara21,3261:751100.00%2,572
108Kama21,0961:75981.05%2,185
109Nacami20,8961:76699.96%2,624
110Eca20,0231:80099.36%2,703
111Rtti20,0221:80099.94%2,712
112Tirana19,6061:817100.00%2,755
113Rajan19,4461:82423.94%794
114Yapa19,1531:83696.81%2,735
115Maa19,1001:83993.38%2,673
116Tamana18,7681:85397.99%2,808
117Tapa18,6871:85786.74%2,550
118Taya18,6831:85792.24%2,690
119Maila18,5621:86359.17%1,846
120Yammal18,3481:87399.87%2,917
121Tapana18,2341:87899.84%2,933
122Ueca17,9091:89499.96%2,991
123Varana17,5711:91199.56%3,036
124Naki17,5501:91393.18%2,854
125Kata17,3581:92339.49%1,385
126Kamana16,9731:94481.56%2,632
127Kanata16,9051:94799.68%3,150
128Papu16,8871:94892.85%2,946
129Mila16,4171:97687.71%2,873
130Eta16,1781:99086.79%2,887
131Caila15,9231:1,00699.99%3,322
132Aitaya15,7801:1,01599.97%3,348
133Paraca15,7711:1,01699.98%3,353
134Tipa15,3831:1,04199.66%3,419
135Kiyara15,3061:1,046100.00%3,453
136Karaci15,2141:1,05399.97%3,468
137Krishnan15,1331:1,05815.89%686
138Ecalvi14,9331:1,072100.00%3,526
139Rata14,8831:1,07690.42%3,230
140Ecava14,5621:1,100100.00%3,608
141Cala14,5091:1,10495.45%3,472
142Aica14,3521:1,11699.60%3,643
143Yamma14,3281:1,11896.58%3,547
144Vaaina14,2801:1,122100.00%3,681
145Cita14,1941:1,12898.82%3,656
146Yaya13,9351:1,14999.37%3,752
147Tama13,8251:1,15888.36%3,379
148Vanata13,8241:1,15999.97%3,810
149Yaramana13,8121:1,160100.00%3,812
150Timati13,7571:1,16499.93%3,820
151Uecan13,4181:1,194100.00%3,908
152Hama13,2631:1,20892.80%3,678
153Nala13,1491:1,21871.30%2,908
154Ekava13,1451:1,21899.99%3,994
155Kannan13,1111:1,22254.38%2,328
156Akama13,0751:1,22598.18%3,943
156Varan13,0751:1,22563.23%2,650
158Tirecaka13,0711:1,225100.00%4,012
159Keta13,0461:1,22848.93%2,136
160Pala12,9671:1,23519.81%965
161Ttik12,8231:1,24999.99%4,085
162Ecalvam12,6091:1,270100.00%4,148
163Kiyema12,6021:1,271100.00%4,149
164Pan12,4541:1,28619.94%1,001
165Latcumi12,2701:1,305100.00%4,268
166Kar12,1591:1,3173.77%246
167Vi11,9991:1,33517.36%921
168Ela11,9331:1,34271.13%3,179
169Babu11,9271:1,3432.80%185
170Eval11,9041:1,34599.91%4,382
171Nava11,7431:1,36484.89%3,806
172Ji11,6951:1,36914.65%811
173Tirecakara11,6611:1,373100.00%4,475
174Srinivasan11,6331:1,37751.67%2,469
175Naya11,4421:1,40082.29%3,786
176Ailaya11,3751:1,408100.00%4,594
177Raman11,3001:1,41723.61%1,293
178Subramanian11,1831:1,43252.32%2,570
179Era10,8691:1,47492.66%4,453
180Yan10,7221:1,49480.54%3,944
181Pi10,5441:1,51916.62%988
182Kiyacami10,2611:1,561100.00%5,072
183Tiran10,2391:1,56499.56%5,058
184Ram10,1981:1,5700.14%6
185Maka9,9121:1,61667.41%3,577
186Ttiekayan9,8341:1,629100.00%5,285
187Napa9,7801:1,63888.19%4,695
188Mohan9,7791:1,6383.08%249
189Nara9,7191:1,64844.88%2,540
190Piya9,5481:1,67795.22%5,181
191Ntar9,5251:1,681100.00%5,427
192Elatcumi9,5121:1,684100.00%5,436
193Kantan9,3301:1,71798.28%5,451
194Kila9,2961:1,72396.18%5,360
195Pata9,0881:1,76233.47%2,106
196Cali9,0401:1,77298.67%5,616
197Nica8,9361:1,79299.71%5,731
198Ejati8,8971:1,800100.00%5,766
199Katacala8,8131:1,817100.00%5,805
200Aimata8,7841:1,823100.00%5,820