Madagascar Genealogy

Africa Madagascar

Guide to Madagascar ancestry, family history, and genealogy: birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, parish registers, and military records.

Getting started with Madagascar research
Madagascar’s population is of mixed Asian and African origin. The written history of the country began in the seventh century A.D., when Arabs established trading posts along the northwest coast. European contact began in the 1500's, when Portuguese discovered the island. The French established trading posts along the east coast in the late seventeenth century.

By the late 1700's the Merina people had gained complete control of the island of Madagascar. In 1817, the Merina ruler, Radama I and the British governor of Mauritius concluded a treaty abolishing the slave trade. In return, the island received British military and financial assistance. British influence remained strong for several decades, during which the Merina court was converted to Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, and Anglicanism.

The British accepted the imposition of a French protectorate over Madagascar in 1885 in return for eventual control over Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania) and as part of an overall definition of spheres of influence in the area. Absolute French control over Madagascar was established by military force in 1895-96 and the Merina monarchy was abolished. The French established reformed institutions in 1956 under the Overseas Reform Act. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October 14, 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community. A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960.

Jurisdictions
(Your text or images here)

Research Tools

 * Madagascar Mailing List
 * Madagascar Genealogy Queries