West Bengal Genealogical Records

West Bengal 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.

West Bengal 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.

West Bengal 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 West Bengal

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.

West Bengal 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.

West Bengal 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.

West Bengal 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.

West Bengal 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.

West Bengal Cemeteries

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

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

West Bengal 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.

West Bengal 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 West Bengal

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.

West Bengal 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.

West Bengal 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 West Bengal

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

West Bengal 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.

West Bengal Reference Works

FIBIS Wiki (1600-Present)

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

Most Common Surnames in West Bengal

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in India
1Das5,824,1331:1651.23%4
2Mondal4,564,6301:2098.06%16
3Ghosh3,434,6511:2794.35%22
4Mandal3,021,6541:3058.47%12
5Sekh2,334,2661:3998.60%28
6Biswas1,986,2731:4688.03%30
7Sarkar1,906,3251:4884.83%31
8Ray1,890,8301:4839.89%15
9Barman1,486,8781:6175.80%42
10Roy1,306,8471:7068.26%46
11Pal1,226,2651:7441.31%23
12Bibi1,181,1171:7742.62%27
13Mahato1,156,9451:7957.74%40
14Sardar1,121,5361:8189.64%62
15Saha1,108,8401:8259.00%48
16Bauri997,9041:9287.05%65
17Molla896,6311:10299.12%87
18Chakraborty786,1121:11689.19%91
19Dutta750,9471:12275.56%79
20Singh700,5181:1302.01%2
21Jana699,4571:13195.46%104
22Khan615,2341:14813.46%17
23Khatun613,4901:14911.63%11
24Majhi605,7911:15138.55%55
25Karmakar584,0191:15678.11%102
26Bera550,6661:16693.77%131
27De537,3821:17083.99%120
28Bagdi526,4471:17398.10%149
29Patra524,2691:17447.03%68
30Mallik522,1691:17583.85%124
31Sheik513,1681:17890.02%137
32Mukherjee501,9181:18294.56%150
33Malik498,5111:18337.35%61
34Sing496,2131:18478.48%122
35Bag493,2111:18566.41%103
36Banerjee487,2761:18793.76%152
37Manna482,8761:18996.57%161
38Dey482,1481:18978.48%126
39Murmu476,0191:19243.29%70
40Pramanik461,2991:19889.83%155
41Debnath458,4031:19958.75%97
42Naskar443,7591:20699.37%175
43Halder442,0731:20797.03%172
44Maity401,1891:22897.61%190
45Shaw397,3381:23096.92%192
46Maiti389,9831:23495.70%194
47Samanta371,2811:24694.82%204
48Kundu370,2681:24793.34%200
49Mal363,9171:25164.85%140
50Maji357,6151:25588.66%196
51Paul347,9261:26360.24%134
52Haldar340,7991:26893.85%219
53Haladar339,8241:26995.46%226
54Chatterjee333,0921:27492.74%222
55Saren319,4741:28689.72%224
56Tudu310,8931:29444.65%112
57Ali310,4581:2946.06%13
58Bhattacharya301,3771:30391.08%240
59Adhikari299,0191:30582.91%220
60Majumdar293,3571:31191.35%247
61Sen284,5251:32165.85%184
62Sharma282,5191:3235.62%14
63Gazi279,6731:32799.07%273
64Mandi275,9121:33191.04%256
65Mallick273,8671:33366.03%189
66Sk259,8691:35189.28%267
67Laskar251,9511:36351.06%163
68Hazra251,8781:36394.46%287
69Singha249,6351:36665.93%208
70Saiekh248,9581:367100.00%302
71Gupta247,6171:3698.73%25
72Chowdhuri241,5091:37899.75%309
73Nandi231,0131:39582.48%277
74Sau225,7101:40593.49%310
75Giri224,4001:40731.90%109
76Dhara219,4271:41693.73%312
77Rai216,0431:42327.74%98
78Lohar215,6911:42359.89%221
79Pradhan214,8551:42514.38%58
80Mollya213,1341:429100.00%343
81Basak210,4661:43493.55%326
82Chowdhury209,5261:43679.41%289
83Maiiti209,4421:43699.99%348
84Ruidas208,5211:43899.42%347
85Santra201,9821:45298.62%355
86Kar199,1211:45961.79%246
87Samant198,1371:46190.33%329
88Santara197,5651:46297.87%361
89Mitra197,1001:46385.61%317
90Gayen192,6211:47499.47%375
91Dolai192,5441:47498.93%374
92Mistri185,3491:49336.88%159
93Bhowmick181,4221:50397.43%387
94Kumar169,6721:5380.55%3
95Oraon169,2281:54023.67%107
96Hajara167,7311:54584.56%365
97Kisku163,4351:55949.25%238
98Mahata161,7141:56597.33%417
99Begam159,7531:5726.81%29
100Pandit159,5081:57316.52%82
101Baidya159,4591:57391.04%404
102Islam158,0691:57823.91%116
103Goswami155,4751:58752.38%259
104Paramanik153,9261:59393.93%423
105Basu148,0021:61789.37%419
106Garai147,8901:61898.10%457
107Prasad144,7731:6313.68%20
108Munda143,8321:63514.43%78
109Rana142,4441:64115.22%86
110Modak140,4231:65074.99%385
111Dalui140,2811:65199.53%485
112Bose137,8421:66384.77%426
113Rahaman137,6901:66347.39%268
114Tamang135,2111:67566.07%356
115Nayek133,3031:68590.79%465
116Barik131,2591:69618.71%110
117Mishra131,0531:6976.84%44
118Hansda129,1301:70742.70%258
119Murmmu127,6871:71599.62%528
120Bhunia127,0021:71999.48%530
121Dolui124,1091:73699.73%544
122Hansada123,2721:74185.73%477
123Sil122,6831:74494.21%517
124Nath122,4601:74610.02%63
125Adak121,9391:74996.52%536
126Ansari120,7911:7565.76%35
127Mudi120,2161:76083.95%478
128Rajak119,1821:76627.13%181
129Chhetri116,8771:78188.08%510
130Kshetrapal112,7541:81099.79%601
131Thakur111,1821:8216.12%50
132Ganguly107,1951:85293.85%595
133Sutradhar106,1371:86148.70%331
134Agarwal106,0501:86133.06%248
135Urao105,7551:86495.53%607
136Mia104,5521:87472.48%475
137Ghorai103,6891:88199.23%639
138Kayal102,2401:89397.75%638
139Hossain101,0651:90482.96%557
140Sahoo100,1731:91218.57%147
141Bhattacharjee97,8071:93469.89%486
142Hemaram95,5031:95695.17%659
143Mardi94,9931:96153.49%398
144Hembram94,1431:97023.98%203
145Majumder90,9461:1,00462.44%469
146Barui90,8061:1,00699.41%711
147Shaikh90,2761:1,0123.21%26
148Adhikary88,3321:1,03485.71%644
149Gorai87,8991:1,03955.24%433
150Yadav87,7571:1,0411.25%7
151Panda85,8261:1,06415.83%146
152Ram84,8841:1,0761.17%6
153Bala83,5411:1,09317.58%167
154Dhar82,6411:1,10550.56%425
155Panja82,0421:1,11388.31%704
156Routh81,9131:1,11598.14%760
157Poddar81,7651:1,11747.72%409
158Dhali80,8391:1,13090.15%721
159Gope80,5911:1,13327.53%263
160Banik80,4911:1,13571.22%600
161Kole80,1471:1,14086.01%700
162Alam79,8801:1,1435.71%59
163Shit79,6291:1,14796.65%778
164Sadhukhan79,4891:1,14999.35%806
165Rajbanshi78,0401:1,17089.51%735
166Bar76,8551:1,18889.49%742
167Bhandari74,2181:1,23130.62%308
168Nag73,9761:1,23526.67%278
169Soren72,8431:1,25414.39%157
170Rabidas71,9581:1,26959.40%562
171Bouri71,7421:1,27389.82%810
172Guha71,1271:1,28488.20%801
173Malakar70,7381:1,29136.07%370
174Gain69,5621:1,31391.26%844
175Ghoshal69,5501:1,31392.40%858
176Purkait69,4361:1,31599.20%905
177Nayak69,3811:1,3163.34%36
178Sinha69,3591:1,31710.57%117
179Khanra68,5901:1,33299.54%923
180Paswan67,7131:1,3493.67%49
181Thapa67,6211:1,35132.57%351
182Paik67,2791:1,35868.13%667
183Chanda66,8281:1,36750.19%507
184Koley65,8951:1,38698.49%946
185Gurung65,4841:1,39548.17%502
186Datta65,4101:1,39640.92%432
187Mahali64,3711:1,41969.16%701
188Mahanta63,7671:1,43216.04%199
189Bairagi63,5671:1,43774.02%743
190Tarafdar63,5281:1,43897.04%965
191Midya63,3921:1,44199.65%986
192Gharami62,4461:1,46395.93%972
193Debsharma61,8461:1,47799.88%1,010
194Seikh61,0581:1,49689.07%927
195Mahapatra60,5411:1,50916.47%216
196Dasgupta59,9871:1,52385.82%909
197Begum59,5761:1,5333.12%47
198Hak59,2501:1,54140.48%466
199Shah58,5931:1,5595.63%73
200Besra58,3251:1,56647.60%552