FIBIS member Jerry Wraith is in Colombo, Sri Lanka until Feb 27th 2011. Are there any FIBIS members in Sri Lanka whom he could contact with a view of setting up a research group which will transcribe Birth’s, Death’s and Marriages in Ceylon? These were not apparently sent back to the UK and are therefore not held in the Oriental and India Office records in the British Library. In addition, they do not appear to have been filmed by the LDS.
Please contact Jerry by e-mail on jerrywr@gmail.com
The BBC Scotland series “Digging Up Your Roots” is currently focussing on Scotsmen who emigrated or travelled abroad. This coming Sunday, they are to interview Peter Bailey, FIBIS Chairman about Scotsmen who served in British India during the Company Era or the Raj.
Listeners in Scotland will be able to listen to it at Mid-day this coming Sunday, February 20th and others on a podcast thereafter.
Those of you who read ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ magazine might have have seen that this months TV and Radio Pick of the month is ‘Digging Up Your Roots‘ to be aired Sunday 30 January 2010 at 12.05pm on BBC Radio Scotland.
FIBIS will be receiving a mention in the show. The BBC Radio Scotland website gives the following summary of the episode:
Listener David Price got in touch regarding his great-grandfather George.
He says, “There was just this great hole in information about [him]. He just seemed to have disappeared off the radar in 1841. Until recently the trail went cold at this point. George’s next entry in official records was his marriage in Calcutta. But how, when and why had he turned up there?”.
David wondered if he might have been around during the turbulent times of the Indian mutiny and contacted the “Families in British India Society” who provided David with a list of soldiers awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal. Four George Prices were included including one in the 42nd Foot, better known as The Black Watch. David visited the Regimental Archivist at Balhousie Castle in Perth who provided him with lots of information from their records. But still David had no proof that this was “his” George.
By coincidence at this same time David had re-established contact with his only first cousin on the Price side. She mentioned that her father had given her a pendant with an Indian connection many years previously. On checking the pendant she discovered that one side displayed Queen Victoria’s head, the other read “India 1857-1858″ and the engraving around the edge of the coin read: “G. Price – 42nd Foot – Royal Highlanders”.
Listen this week to hear more about George Price’s story and his recruitment into the Black Watch.
To read more about the episode visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xx98g
The British Library will be holding their monthly, free, introductory training sessions in family history on the following dates in early 2011:
Wednesday, 12 January
Thursday, 17 February
Tuesday, 15 March
Wednesday, 13 April
As always, they start at 11.00 and last about one hour. To secure a place those interested should contact hrs-training@bl.uk
FIBIS member, Chrissy Wellborne, contacted me as she thought readers might be interested in the opening of ’The Lord Ashcroft Gallery’ at the Imperial War Museum, London on the 12th November 2010. Chrissy’s Step Grandfather, Maj G.M. Rolland, IA’s VC and African Service Medal won in Somaliland, 1903 is part of this collection and will be included in the display.
From the Imperial War Museum website.
Date: 12th November 2010
The Lord Ashcroft Gallery
The Lord Ashcroft Gallery is the first major permanent gallery to open at Imperial War Museum London for ten years. This new gallery will house the Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, proudly presenting the world’s largest collection of Victoria Crosses alongside the 48 VCs and 31 George Crosses already held by the Museum.
Visitors to the Lord Ashcroft Gallery’s Extraordinary Heroes exhibition will discover the personal stories behind each medal on display in a state-of-the-art space filled with interactive touch-screens, multimedia platforms and original interpretation. The new gallery will examine the concept of bravery and the personal stories behind the award of the medals. Alongside the precious medals will be many objects on display for the first time as well as newly commissioned artwork, film and photography.
Find out more here
Read more about the heroes behind the medals in an extract from Lord Ashcroft’s new book as well as an interview with Lord Ashcroft.
Free admission. Visitors may experience a short wait at peak times.
The National Army Museum, London will be giving the following lunchtime lectures:
Lunchtime talks take place at 12.30pm every Thursday. Admission is free and many lectures are followed by a book signing in the Museum Shop.
Occasionally, unavoidable circumstances lead to a change in the programme, so visitors interested in attending a particular lecture should telephone 020 7730 0717 ext. 2425 on the day.
Canadian members might be interested in the Maharaja: The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario from November 20, 2010 to April 3, 2011. Special Members Preview November 17 and 18.
This fall, the Art Gallery of Ontario unveils an extraordinary exhibition that explores in depth the opulent world of the maharajas, from the beginning of the eighteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. Maharaja: The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts brings to Canada for the first time more than 200 spectacular works of art created for India’s great kings — including paintings, furniture, decorative arts and jewellery. These magnificent objects chronicle the many aspects of royal life and celebrate a legacy of cultural patronage by generations of maharajas, both in India and in Europe.
via Maharaja: The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts | AGO Art Gallery of Ontario.
Readers in NSW might be interested in the current Indian Empire exhibition running until 3 Jan 2011 with free admission at Art Gallery NSW.
The Indian empire: multiple realities
When foreigners started arriving in India centuries ago, they were captivated by the people, architecture, customs and costumes. By the late 18th century, when the British presence was more widespread through India, artists were commissioned to portray the world the foreigners had encountered.
The imaging of India coincided with the development of new, multiple printing techniques such as lithography and, from the 1850s, photography. These new media enabled Indians and foreigners alike to enjoy landscapes, temples and portraits, produced locally according to varying regional traditions. At the same time, throughout India local traditions of painting and embroidery continued.
This ambitious exhibition presents aspects of the Indian empire when patrons were as diverse as Indian maharajas, East India Company employees, and the military and administrative personnel of the British Raj.
via The Indian empire :: Exhibitions & events :: Art Gallery NSW.
A free exhibition of archive material relating to India will be held at Hampshire Record Office on the top floor gallery from 09:00am Monday 25 October 2010 to Tuesday 30 November 2010 . The exhibition is open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-4pm, no booking required.
Visit Hantsweb website or telephone 01962 846154 for further details
The following tour organised by the Jeevika Trust has been brought to my attention.
‘Greenwich, Docklands and the Rise of East India Trade’
Sunday 10th October – Full Day Excursion
How did England’s trade with East India begin? What were these great sea voyages really like? How did Blackwall get its name? What is the tale of the Maharajah of Burdwan’s medal? Who were the Lascar sailors? What was shipping on the Thames like before the great Docks were built in 1800? Which was the world’s first truly multinational corporation? And why is there so little trace of it today?
Join us on a voyage of discovery on Sunday 10th October to find the answers to these questions. Meet the Chief Curator of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich – Dr Robert Blyth – and author and banker Nick Robins on this exclusive excursion. All proceeds from the day go to Jeevika Trust to support its work for village livelihood in India.
THE ITINERARY
Depart 9.00am from the riverside pavement outside Embankment tube station where we board our private luxury coach. You will be greeted by your host and guide Leila Redpath and get a historical overview as we depart including your own maps and informative summary.
This excursion begins with a romantic visit to Greenwich and the dazzling National Maritime Museum for a private India-themed tour with its chief curator, Dr Robert Blyth. Hear first-hand about plans for their new Asia Gallery and from Dr Blyth about his own forthcoming book on the maritime history of the East India Company. Time permitting, cross over into the Queen’s House to see two connected paintings.
After free-time for lunch at exotic Greenwich market (not included in ticket price), we drive through the Blackwall Tunnel to London’s Docklands to discover the preserved lock gates that were once the sole entrance to the entire great East India Dock built in 1806. There are stunning views to be had here of the Millennium Dome just across the water.
Then we drive on past some East India Company (EIC) clues, including a brief pause outside the hidden-away church it had built for the souls of its sailors and staff – St Matthias Old Church in Poplar. Next we head along the Commercial Road – yes, a trade route built by the EIC – and on into the City of London itself to find out more about the mystery and legacy of the world’s first true multinational.
Here we have a brief refreshment stop before we are greeted by Nick Robins, author of ‘The Corporation that changed the World’, for a little walking tour (approx 45mins). See the old Cutler St warehouses where the most precious cargoes of tea were brought for safe-keeping.
And finally we board our coach once more to finish our day at the Royal Over-Seas League private member’s Club, with its lovely rooms and garden backing on to Green Park. Here we offer you afternoon tea with fine Indian teas to end our day and relax in good company. Here you can also meet with Andrew Redpath, Executive Director of Jeevika Trust who has had long personal, business and charity links with India, share a drink at the Bar and learn more about the Trust’s work in village India.
Those still keen to socialise can join us for a meal afterwards, but otherwise this is where we end the Excursion between 4.30 and 5.30pm.
This should be a fascinating and sociable day of discovery, a unique day out devised exclusively for this event by your host and guide, Leila Redpath – (an International Tour Director for 12 years).
Cost £45 per person.
Please note that this tour involves a fair amount of gentle walking as well as some uneven surfaces. If you have any access requirements please call the number below to discuss how we might assist.
To book online visit the Jeevika Trust website