Baxter's Guide: Biographical Sources in the India Office Records

by Ian A. Baxter

First published in 1979, and now in it's 3rd edition, this book is now generally referred to as "Baxter's Guide". This has become an essential reference work for all who research the history of their families who served in India. Although modest in size, it brings together a clear set of references to the enormous number of biographical sources scattered amongst the 15km of shelves of the India Office Records.
The publisher of this work is The Families in British India Society (FIBIS). This was formed in November 1998 to provide help and advice to individuals wishing to research their family history and historical background of their ancestors' lived in India from the founding of the East India Company in 1600 until the present day.

With the first two editions selling out relatively quickly, this third edition has been expanded to include a glossary of terms under in the administration of British India. The opportunity has also been taken to include the India Office Records note on the three geographical areas for "Ecclesiastical Returns" - those records of baptisms, marriages and burials so fundamental to family history research. A map showing these area and other major administrative division of British India has been included, and additional material for this edition has been provided by the British Library.

73 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide which carefully explains the wealth of information held amongst the India Office Records in the British Library. As well as listing the sources, there is useful background explanation and a glossary of terms. An essential aid to navigation for any researcher in this field.

[Joss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've said "currently reading" rather than "read" as this is emphatically not the kind of book that you curl up with in bed, read from cover to cover and that's the end of it!
Baxter's Guide is a reference work published by The Families in British India Society (FIBIS) and invaluable as a guide to where to look in the India Office Records at the British Library in London - the go-to place for people whose ancestors lived in British India.
As anyone who researches family history knows, you don't just amble along to the County Record Office, National Archives or indeed the Asian and African Studies Reading Room at the BL without having done some preparation. Baxter's will help you prepare. Whether your ancestor was a doctor, a Civil Servant, a railwayman, in the army, a merchant or a missionary, Baxter's will help you find the documents you need.