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. Records extracted for British persons abroad will be listed in the International Genealogical Index (IGI) by the place where the event was recorded. When searching the IGI you must identify the region to be searched although you may not know the region.

If you do the same search at www.familysearch.org and search “All Resources” the region or country of the event is not required. This may allow you to find a person from the British Isles who was out of the country when christened or married. The British Vital Records Index should also be used as an index. The Public Record Office source RG43 is in the Family History Library and contains indexes for miscellaneous births, marriages and deaths for the years 1627 – 1925.

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 The British Overseas (Family History Library book Ref 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.

The General Register Office 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.

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.