British Persons Abroad

British subjects born abroad can be a challenge to find. The Family History Library has many British church records for persons living in foreign countries.


 * Many extracted records will be found in the International Genealogical Index (IGI), available at www.familysearch.org. This may allow you to find a person from the British Isles who was out of the country when christened or married.
 * Other extracted records will be found in the British Vital Records Index. This database is available at the library and is also available for purchase through LDScatalog.org.
 * The National Archives of the UK source RG 43 contains indexes to miscellaneous births, marriages and deaths in foreign countries for the years 1627–1960. This source is also available at the Family History Library.

Records of birth, marriage, and death or burial may be found in church records or consular records. An excellent list of known records can be found in:


 * Yeo, Geoffrey, The British Overseas (Family History Library book 942 V24y 1995).

Microfilm numbers for these records can be found by using the Place Search in the Family History Library Catalog Great Britain-Church Records and also Great Britain-Civil Registration.

Regimental Registers, Chaplains' Returns and Other Records
Records of the families of military personnel were kept by the regimental clerks and chaplains. The General Register Office in London has indexes to Army Chaplains records, consular records, regimental registers, births and deaths at sea, and war deaths. These indexes are available at the Family History Library on microfiche. Call numbers may be located in the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) by using the Place Search for Great Britain-Civil Registration-Indexes.

East India Office Records
Indexes and records of British Roman Catholic and protestant persons baptized, married and buried in India are available at the Family History Library. Microfilm numbers may be found in the FHLC by searching Great Britain-Church Records or by using Register of East India Office Records (Family History Library book Reg 942 D23ei.)

The IndiaCard Index compiled by the Society of Genealogists in London is available through the Family History Library. The index is contained on forty-one rolls of microfilm. Use the Place Search in the Family History Library Catalog for Great Britain-Genealogy-Indexes. The India Card Index mainly covers the years 1790-1857. Abbreviations in the index are explained in Sources for Anglo-Indian Genealogy In The Library Of The Society Of Genealogists, pages 11-12 (Family History Library book 942.1/L1 D23t).

Examples:

Agnetta Wilkin, a daughter of Joseph Wilkins and Agnetta, was christened in Russia in 1721. Her birth is in the IGI in the Continental Europe Region.

Florence Nightingale was born 12 May 1820 in Florence Italy. Her birth is listed in the British Vital Records Index. The birth had been registered with Dr. Williams Library.

Possible uses:

Help in locating persons not found in the British Isles where they are thought to have been living.

Some of the christenings and marriages abroad have been extracted and may be found in the IGI.

The Office for National Statistics has records for British subjects outside England, including registrations of events at sea, at consuls and embassies, and for military personnel. For further information, see: