Find your ancestors in British India Office births & baptisms writers' petitions

The amount of information you can discover can vary, but the British India Office birth and baptism records usually include a combination of the following information about your ancestors:

Birth and baptism details

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Date of baptism
  • Place of baptism
  • Officiating minister
  • Godparents’ names (occasionally)


  • Biographical information

  • Parents’ names
  • Father’s occupation
  • Nationality
  • Religion
  • Date of registration
  • Details of application and acceptance into the East India Company (cadet papers and petitions)
  • Occupation within the Civil Service/East India Company