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I have researched my family in India back to 1803, when my ancestor Francis Randall of the 22 Light Dragoons arrived in Madras. I have found out as much as I can about him and my other ancestor, James Shaw, on Find my Past, the National Archives and the FBIS database, and now I’m planning a trip to India in the hope of filling in some intriguing gaps. My ancestors were based in Trichinopoly and Secunderabad. Can anyone give me some tips on finding records of the Light Dragoons and EIC Army in Trichi (from 1803), or records of Indo-Europeans (civilians) in Secunderabad (from 1830)? Does anyone know of any Indian-based genealogists who could help me? I’d be grateful for any relevant information. Thanks
JenniferHi Nicola, I haven’t been able to get out to India yet – we’ve had to put it off and are hoping to go out this year. I think I’ve got as far as I can get using online records, so I’m still hoping to find someone in India who can help me trace my Indian native ancestors who are not on British records. I’ve managed to break down some brick walls in unexpected ways, so I’m not giving up hope of finding out the whole story. Jennifer
I hope it goes well and you discover things. I am a bit stuck with the online records too and can’t discover who my great great great grandparents are – I’m stuck at their marriage certificate (I think it’s theirs anyway!). It’s quite frustrating! I hope that you discover more of your story. Nicola
Hi Jennifer
I lived in Chennai (Madras) for four years. I didn’t find many records – mostly from visiting Catholic Churches who often (but not always) still have records, and graveyards where ancestors were buried.
I am also trying to trace the odd ethnic Indian member of the family – devilishly difficult, because as far as I can see no records were kept.
At present I have found 1-200 blood relatives who lived at least for some time in India – icluding some by the name of Shaw. My connection starts when Caroline Amelia Hill b 18 Oct 1860 at Coonoor, married Fawcett Eber Neville Shaw 22 Sept 1880 in Coonoor (near Coimbatore). Caroline and Fawcett’s only son, William Fawcett Shaw, was born at Coonoor on 10 October 1882. He was a surgeon and migrated to the US in 1917. Any chance your Shaw is related?
on the 22nd, I presume you have seen this:
On 24 February 1794, William, Viscount Fielding raised the next regiment to use the title 22nd (Light) Dragoons; this regiment lasted slightly longer, being disbanded in 1802 with the onset of peace. However, the 25th Dragoons (raised for service in India by F E Gwyn on 9 March 1794) was renumbered 22nd (Light) Dragoons in that year. This 22nd (Light) Dragoons regiment served throughout the Napoleonic Wars, which began in 1805, and was disbanded in 1820. (https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/22nd_Dragoons)
My great x 4 grandfather, Richard Plackett, came to India in 1805 with the 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot, and was involved in a series of campaigns during the Napoleonic wars, inc invasions of Rodriguez (an island to the north of Mauritius) from 20 June to 3 July 1810; Île de Bonaparte (now Réunion) on 7 July 1810; and Île de France (now Mauritius) from 13 August to 26 December 1810. The 69th went on to participate in the invasion of Java in from 20 July to 22 October 1811 – I understand that the 22nd was also involved in that campaign (not sure on the earlier ones).
The Dragoons probably have their own museum in the UK (although I can’t find reference to it) – this might be a place to look. In India they do not appear to have kept much in the way of military records of British (asc opposed to Indian Army) units.
Do let us know what you find!
Cheers
Sean
Thanks so much for that, Sean.
I have read a bit about the 22nd and 25th Dragoons and their adventures around the world in the National Archives, although it seems I’ll have to go there in person one day to further my research.
Interestingly, I found a detailed account of the invasion of Java in a book called “Tears of the Rajas” by Ferdinand Mount. He appears to have had an ancestor who was involved in the whole misadventure, albeit in a far higher-ranking capacity than my Francis Randall. Nevertheless, he describes actions in which the 22nd were involved, and no doubt also the 69th Foot. The book is beautifully written – detailed, gossipy, opinionated, amusing, and above all, well-researched. I would recommend it to anyone with a connection to India and the British Raj.
I’ll keep FIBIS members updated if I find any records not already digitised on the site.
all the best
JenniferNo problem, Jennifer
I will look out “Tears of the Rajas” – sounds fascinating.
One more thing which you probably already know, but which helped me a lot with working out the pathway of my military ancestors in India.
When Regiments were posted back to England (or elsewhere), soldiers were routinely given the opportunity to transfer to other units in order to be able to stay longer. This was particularly popular among those with Indian or Anglo-Indian spouses. For the Regiments where I have found this happening, as much as half the Regiment opted to stay. So if you have people with a particular regiment disappear, that could be why. Also, I am not sure whether this was normal, but in at least one case a relative who was a Sergeant had to take demotion to private (at least temporarily) when transferring to another unit to stay in India (I found his service record that clearly shows this).
Just in case this is helpful.
Cheers
Sean
Funny you should mention that. I was having trouble tracing Francis Randall before he joined the EICA as store sergeant in Trichi at the ripe old age of 50. Then a fellow researcher had the brilliant idea of looking for him in the British regiments, and found his transfer papers from the 22nd Dragoons. The Dragoons had disbanded that year, and Francis was married to a native girl so he opted to stay in India. It’s an interesting tip for any other FIBIS members who have come up against a brick wall in their research.
best
Jennifer
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