Until quite recently the records of the East
India Company's European armies in India (1748-1861) were less well served with
respect to finding aids than the records of their counterparts in India, the
British Army. This has now been addressed, and Peter Bailey provides a
comprehensive guide to biographical sources on the officers and men of the East
India Company's armies covering recruitment, service, retirement and pension
records, from the late 18th century 'till the Company's abolition in 1858.
A valuable feature of the book is his
provision of the both the India Office and LDS film reference numbers.
Peter Bailey's book should prove an essential
reference tool for genealogical researchers, whether they are concerned merely
to complete a family tree, or to go further and investigate their ancestors'
lives in India in some depth.
Contents:
Foreword
Preface
1. Introduction
2. India Office Records Catalogue Numbers and LDS Film Numbers
3. Historical Background
4. The Structure of the East India Company's Armies
5. The Demise of the East India Company's Armies
6. Officers' Career Patterns
7. Officers' Entry into Service
8. Officers' Services
9. Soldiers' Career Patterns
10. Recruitment of Soldiers
11. Soldiers' Services
12. Soldiers' Wives and Children
13. Soldiers' Discharge
14. An Introduction to Military Pension Schemes
15. Officers' Pension Records
16. Soldiers' Pension Records
17. War Services
18. Baptisms, Marriages and Burials
19. Wills, Administrations, Probate and Estate Inventories
20. Further Sources
21. So, Where Do I Start?
22. Results: One in Two Hundred Thousand
Tables
List of Principal Sources
Glossary of Military Ranks and Terms
