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.
