Your Ancestors Are Waiting: Will You Join the British India Challenge?

British India family stories deserve more than scattered notes or isolated research trees. They deserve to be connected.

In 2026, WikiTree’s India Project is teaming up with FIBIS to launch the British India Challenge – a collaborative effort to improve and connect the lives of people linked to British India before 1947.

This isn’t about competition – it’s about community. On WikiTree, we work together on one shared global family tree. Instead of keeping research separate, we help each other build accurate, sourced profiles that bring families – and history – into clearer focus. A single profile update could be the key that helps a distant cousin on the other side of the world break through a 20-year brick wall.

During the Challenge, participants will:

• Connect profiles into family networks
• Add historical sources
• Improve biographies
• Help preserve real lives and real stories

WikiTree’s friendly G2G (Genealogist-to-Genealogist) forum provides support when participants get stuck – a welcoming space where experienced volunteers help others move forward.

Every contribution matters – no matter how big or small you might think it is.

Prizes

Thanks to FIBIS, participants may win:

• A Family Tree DNA test
• A guided in person tour of the British Library collections
• Additional research resources

How to Join

It’s easy to get started:

• Create a WikiTree account, upgrade to “Family Member” (this is all completely free). This page will tell you everything you need to know about signing up.
• Sign the Honor Code to join the collaborative community
• Visit the British India Challenge page
• Start improving or connecting profiles

You don’t need to be an expert – just curious and willing to help. FIBIS members are especially welcome to join and share their knowledge.

Final Thought

British India history is shared history. By taking part in this challenge, you’re helping ensure that these lives – and their stories – remain visible, connected, and remembered.

Come build history with us.

Links:

• India Project: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Project:India
• British India Challenge: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:British_India_Challenge
• Login page (to create your profile): https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Special:Userlogin
• Registration Help Page: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:New_Member_Process#First_Step:_Registration
• Honor Code: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Special:Honor_Code

Blog post by Pam Cormac Smith. Find her on Wikitree