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Research in Other Countries => Other Countries => Topic started by: susan42 on Tuesday 29 October 13 21:50 GMT (UK)

Title: India Marriage
Post by: susan42 on Tuesday 29 October 13 21:50 GMT (UK)
I have a marriage certificate for William Ernest Grant, Born Vancouver, Canada in 1922, and May Helen Jenn-Hatton, Born Lahore, India , 1931. They were married in Calcutta, in 1948. Has anyone any suggestions as to where I might find out if they had any family, or indeed if they remained in India. I have tried numerous sites to no avail. Any suggestion would be welcome. Thank you.

Susan42
Title: Re: India Marriage
Post by: Yasmina4 on Sunday 17 November 13 20:23 GMT (UK)
I am wondering how good the records in Calcutta are as partition took place in 1947. It was a time of change.

I will have a look see.

Sandra
Title: Re: India Marriage
Post by: susan42 on Monday 18 November 13 20:42 GMT (UK)
Thanks Sandra. I am grateful for any help I can get as I don't know where to go next.  :D

Althea
Title: Re: India Marriage
Post by: dawnsh on Monday 18 November 13 21:01 GMT (UK)
The British Library has holdings upto 1948. After that, nothing. It is notoriously difficult finding records in India after 1948 even if you do know where they were.

It should be possible to find a baptism for May and search for siblings as her surname is unusual.

It looks like May could have ended up in America as there are possible subsequent marriages to Edward Gillette in 1954 and Jerome Prenger in 1955 in California.
Title: Re: India Marriage
Post by: susan42 on Monday 18 November 13 21:08 GMT (UK)
Yes, I had found May in USA seemingly having remarried (at least once), but I have not been able to find a birth or parents for her. I have searched in Family Search. Any other suggested sites? I can not find William Ernest anywhere!! But I will keep trying.

Thanks for your reply
Title: Re: India Marriage
Post by: dawnsh on Monday 18 November 13 21:11 GMT (UK)
Although FamilySearch have some records, in the grand scheme of things they are very few. The British Library estimates there are over 3 millions baptisms, marriages and burials in their collection.

Have you tried the FIBIS database?
Title: Re: India Marriage
Post by: susan42 on Monday 18 November 13 21:14 GMT (UK)
No, Dawnsh, I haven't tried that database but I will now, thanks. I will let you know if I have any joy.

Fingers crossed.

Title: Re: India Marriage
Post by: dawnsh on Monday 18 November 13 21:27 GMT (UK)
I might be at the British Library soon.

I'll have a look at the registers to see if the surname appears there, the records aren't computerised.
Title: Re: India Marriage
Post by: susan42 on Monday 18 November 13 21:30 GMT (UK)
I've had a quick look on the database, but I think my William Ernest Grant and May Helen Jenn-Hatton were there too late for these records, (as far as I can tell from the quick searches I did). She was born in 1931.  Am I correct in thinking that?
Title: Re: India Marriage
Post by: dawnsh on Monday 18 November 13 21:38 GMT (UK)
It was a long shot as FIBIS don't have all the records. What they do have though goes upto 1947 and partition.

It would interesting to know when the surname became double-barrelled.
Title: Re: India Marriage
Post by: susan42 on Monday 18 November 13 21:45 GMT (UK)
I have tried all combinations of her name but am open to suggestions. Thanks for your input. I'll keep digging  ;)