India, Bihar, Koilukh, Pandit Kirtinand Jha, Maithil Brahmin Genealogical Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

India

What is in This Collection?
These records span from 1750-1990. Maithil Brahmins are are a Hindu Brahmin community from the Mithila region in India, residing mainly in Bihar and the neighboring states of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. They are noted for panjis, the extensive genealogical records maintained for the last twenty-four generations. Panjis were traditionally written on palm leaves measuring 16 x 3 and threaded by a central perforation. Some were also written on old indigenously made paper called ‘basaha. In the modern age they are increasingly written on paper. Panjikars (genealogists) are expected to diligently copy and memorize the old records.

Reading These Records
These records are written in Hindi These records are written Hindi.

Collection Content
These family registers may contain the following information:
 * Person’s Name
 * Date and Place of Birth
 * Person’s Gender
 * Person’s Age
 * Parents’ Names and Other Family Relationships
 * Residence
 * Date and Place of Marriage
 * Date and Place of Death
 * Age at time of Death
 * Cause of Death

How Do I Search This Collection?
This section provides information on how to search the collection, what to do with information once found, some tips on how to find records, and what to do if no record is found.

When searching: Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the the event
 * Family relationships

View the Images

 * Select Browse through images
 * Select Volume and Description to view the images

Search the collection by image, comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

For Help Reading These Records
These records are in Hindi. For help with reading the records, see the following resources:
 * India Language and Languages
 * Hindi to English Translation

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the information to find more. For instance, use the age listed in the record to estimate a year of birth, if that is yet undetermined
 * Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth of each spouse to find a couple's birth records and parents' names
 * Compile the marriage entries for every person who has the same surname as the bride or groom; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * When looking for an individual with a common name, look at all the search results before deciding which is the correct person. Use other information, such as place of birth, age, occupation, or names of parents, to help with this decision
 * Try variations of given names and surnames. A person might have been listed under a middle name, nickname, or abbreviation of their given name
 * Vary the search terms. For example, expand the date range or search by either the given name or surname to return a broader list search results

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

“India, Bihar, Koilukh, Pandit Kirtinand Jha, Maithil Brahmin Genealogical Records, 1750-1990.” Images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2017. Citing Pandit Kirtinand Jha, Koilukh, Bihar.
 * Collection Citation:

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