Empire's Children

The Colonial Office took control of Malaya in 1867. A system of indirect rule of the peninsular sultanates was established, comparable to the pattern of the Raj in India. Cultural and religious traditions were protected, as were the symbolic powers of the sultans. These alliances enabled British influence to predominate with only a small number of resident ministers and administrators.

The National Archives, Kew holds a large collection of records relating to government policy and administration in Malaysia. These are mainly policy documents, and mainly concern British ancestors who held high office, so it's unlikely that you will find any information on other civil servants. However, the documents can be useful if you want to obtain an idea of government policies affecting Malaysia. These are mainly found in the Foreign Office (FO), Colonial Office (CO) and Dominions Office (DO) records.

The Colonies General Supplementary Original Correspondence up to 1955 in CO 537 contains information on the military and political situation. The files of the Far Eastern Department held in CO 1030, and of the Dominions Office and Commonwealth Relations Office held in DO 35 and DO 169 include material on the Federation of Malaya from 1948-1963. There are also Cabinet Office records in CAB 128 and CAB 129 which contain government information.

By searching the online catalogue, using Malaya or Malaysia as a keyword, you can see if there is anything relevant to your search.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue

The Colonial Office took control of Malaya in 1867. A system of indirect rule of the peninsular sultanates was established, comparable to the pattern of the Raj in India. Cultural and religious traditions were protected, as were the symbolic powers of the sultans. These alliances enabled British influence to predominate with only a small number of resident ministers and administrators.

Although the British Library and The National Archives, Kew, may hold some information about Malaysians in Malaysia, the best place to go for records is The National Archives of Malaysia. They have an online catalogue which you can use to search their holdings.

http://www.arkib.gov.my/english/main.htm

There are also a number of websites which contain information about government records worldwide. You can search their records and see if anything relevant to your search is available. 'Government Records Search' has a name search facility, and covers various countries worldwide, including Malaysia. The records aren't complete, and they aren't available for all government departments and resources. However, you may find information on recent records, including criminal records and recent government records. You need to subscribe, and a membership fee is required.

http://www.governmentrecordssearch.com/index2.htm

From 1824 to 1867 Malaya was administered by the East India Company. The Honourable East India Company (HEIC) Army was the military arm of the East India Company. Until 1859, the Honourable East India Company army and the British Army were entirely separate and their records were stored separately. The HEIC Army was abolished in 1859, and its regiments were subsumed into the British Army. There native regiments but few service records survive for non-European soldiers.

If your ancestor served in the Honourable East India Company (HEIC) Army, records are held in the British Library's India Office records. As with most service records, the details can vary from person to person, but you will usually be able to find out the rank, regiment and date of birth of the person you are looking for. Records for officers who served in the Indian Army and Navy are also available in the India Office records.

If your ancestor was a soldier of the British Army (not the HEIC Army), the National Archives also holds some records of those who served in the military in India in record series WO 120. These are pension records of men who were soldiers of the British Army who were pensioned off between 1800 and 1857. The service records of British-born South Asians are also held here in WO 97. However, these are for soldiers only, as only Europeans were permitted to serve as officers.

During the Malayan Emergency in the 1950s, the Malayan Police Force was initially deployed against the Chinese communist guerrilla fighters. When they proved unable to defeat the communists, troops were sent to Malaya from Britain and all over the Commonwealth, including Indian Gurkhas, troops from Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, as well as troops from Northern and Southern Rhodesia (Zambia and Zimbabwe) and from East Africa. Records of this time are held it the National Archives.

If you know which regiment your ancestor served in the British Army, you may be able to get hold of the regimental history of his unit. The National Army Museum holds some of these histories. The museum is located at Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, SW3 4HT Tel: +44 (0) 20 7730 0717

http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/

War diaries, or campaign records, for the British Army are held in the National Archives, Kew, and although they rarely mention individuals, they can give a good insight into the movements of specific regiments on a daily basis.

Military records very are useful in providing details of people’s life and history. Although the records can vary from person to person, the military records can usually tell you dates and places of birth, next of kin, and in some cases a physical description of your ancestor. They can be useful for verifying facts that you have already ascertained, but be careful, as sometimes people lied about their age in order to sign up.

Army service records for First World War soldiers can be found in series WO 363 (soldiers who were killed) and WO 364 (soldiers who were wounded/discharged to pension). These are on microfilm, and are in alphabetical order of surname. The information provided varies from soldier to soldier, but if the records survive, they should contain the regiment, regiment number, details of date and place of birth, and next of kin. However, approximately 60 per cent of these records were destroyed in the Second World War. For records before 1914, you need to consult class WO 97, which are also in alphabetical order.

'Ancestry.com' are in the process of putting the WO 363 records online. As the project is still in its early stages, the best place to start your search is the National Archives, Kew. However, do check the website to see the progress of the project.

http://www.ancestry.co.uk

If you had an ancestor who served in the British Merchant Navy, you can trace these records at the National Archives, Kew. Before 1835 the records are hard to trace, but from 1835-1857 you will find the records in the registers of seamen. These are listed by date under BT 112, BT 113, BT 114, BT 116 and BT 120. The entries are arranged alphabetically and give date and place of birth, as well as a physical description.

From 1857-1913 there was no official registration of Merchant Seamen, but you can trace the service records from 1913-1941 in BT 350 and BT 364. However, unfortunately there are few surviving records for the years 1913 to 1920.

If your ancestor served in the Merchant Navy after 1941, you may be able to find the seaman's pouch in BT 372. The pouch usually contains lots of detail, including a physical description, date and place of birth as well as a photo or fingerprint. These records have been indexed by name, and you can search the online catalogue to see if the record survives.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue

If your ancestor served in the Royal Navy, you can see these records at the National Archives, Kew. Registration of naval ratings was centralised in 1853, and the National Archives has records available from 1853 to 1923. There is an index to service numbers in ADM 139, and from this, you can access the records in ADM 188 (they are arranged by service number). Service records after 1923 are still held by the Ministry of Defence and are only available to the person who served, or their next of kin.

'Find My Past' are in the process of putting some army records online. These include the list of 'Soldiers Who Died in the Great War' and some army marriages. This is a good resource if it turns out that the service records at the National Archives haven't survived, but won’t give you much information other than the names, ranks and dates of serving soldiers.

http://www.findmypast.com/MilitaryStartSearchServ
let

From 1824 to 1867 Malaya was administered by the East India Company. The Honourable East India Company (HEIC) Army was the military arm of the East India Company. Until 1859, the Honourable East India Company army and the British Army were entirely separate and their records were stored separately. The HEIC Army was abolished in 1859, and its regiments were subsumed into the British Army. There native regiments but few service records survive for non-European soldiers.

During the Malayan Emergency in the 1950s, the Malayan Police Force was initially deployed against the Chinese communist guerrilla fighters. When they proved unable to defeat the communists, troops were sent to Malaya from Britain and all over the Commonwealth, including Indian Gurkhas, troops from Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, as well as troops from Northern and Southern Rhodesia (Zambia and Zimbabwe) and from East Africa. Records of this time are held it the National Archives.

If your ancestor served in the Honourable East India Company (HEIC) Army, records are held in the British Library's India Office records. As with most service records, the details can vary from person to person, but you will usually be able to find out the rank, regiment and date of birth of the person you are looking for. Records for officers who served in the Indian Army and Navy are also available in the India Office records.

If your ancestor was a soldier of the British Army (not the HEIC Army), the National Archives also holds some records of those who served in the military in India in record series WO 120. These are pension records of men who were soldiers of the British Army who were pensioned off between 1800 and 1857. The service records of British-born South Asians are also held here in WO 97. However, these are for soldiers only, as only Europeans were permitted to serve as officers.

If you know which regiment your ancestor served in the British Army, you may be able to get hold of the regimental history of his unit. The National Army Museum holds some of these histories. The museum is located at Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, SW3 4HT Tel: +44 (0) 20 7730 0717

http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/

War diaries, or campaign records, for the British Army are held in the National Archives, Kew, and although they rarely mention individuals, they can give a good insight into the movements of specific regiments on a daily basis.

Military records very are useful in providing details of people's life and history. Although the records can vary from person to person, the military records can usually tell you dates and places of birth, next of kin, and in some cases as physical description of your ancestor. They can be useful for verifying facts that you have already ascertained, but be careful, as sometimes people lied about their age in order to sign up.

Army service records for First World War soldiers can be found in series WO 363 (soldiers who were killed) and WO 364 (soldiers who were wounded/discharged to pension). These are on microfilm, and are in alphabetical order of surname. The information provided varies from soldier to soldier, but if the records survive, they should contain the regiment, regiment number, details of date and place of birth, and next of kin. However, approximately 60 per cent of these records were destroyed in the Second World War. For records before 1914, you need to consult class WO 97, which are also in alphabetical order.

'Ancestry.com' are in the process of putting the WO 363 records online. As the project is still in its early stages, the best place to start your search is the National Archives, Kew. However, do check the website to see the progress of the project.

http://www.ancestry.co.uk

If you had an ancestor who served in the British Merchant Navy, you can trace these records at the National Archives, Kew. Before 1835 the records are hard to trace, but from 1835-1857 you will find the records in the registers of seamen. These are listed by date under BT 112, BT 113, BT 114, BT 116 and BT 120. The entries are arranged alphabetically and give date and place of birth, as well as a physical description.

From 1857-1913 there was no official registration of Merchant Seamen, but you can trace the service records from 1913-1941 in BT 350 and BT 364. However, unfortunately there are few surviving records for the years 1913 to 1920.

If your ancestor served in the Merchant Navy after 1941, you may be able to find the seaman's pouch in BT 372. The pouch usually contains lots of detail, including a physical description, date and place of birth as well as a photo or fingerprint. These records have been indexed by name, and you can search the online catalogue to see if the record survives.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue

If your ancestor served in the Royal Navy, you can see these records at the National Archives, Kew. Registration of naval ratings was centralised in 1853, and the National Archives has records available from 1853 to 1923. There is an index to service numbers in ADM 139, and from this, you can access the records in ADM 188 (they are arranged by service number). Service records after 1923 are still held by the Ministry of Defence and are only available to the person who served, or their next of kin.

'Find My Past' are in the process of putting some army records online. These include the list of 'Soldiers Who Died in the Great War' and some army marriages. This is a good resource if it turns out that the service records at the National Archives haven't survived, but won't give you much information other than the names, ranks and dates of serving soldiers.

http://www.findmypast.com/MilitaryStartSearchServ
let

Any surviving records for specific native regiments are available at the India Office at the British Library.

The first British settlers had arrived in 1786 with the East India Company to establish a trading port at Penang. They were followed by others, working for the military and the colonial administration. Many also went to Malaysia to seek their fortune as owners of tea and rubber plantations, and tin mines.

The National Archives keeps records of passenger lists of those leaving Britain for Malaysia from 1890-1960. To search these, it's necessary to know the departing or arriving port and the date your ancestor left Britain. The records are in series BT 27, and contain names, occupations, ages, UK addresses and landing port of all passengers leaving the UK.

The National Archives also holds incoming passenger lists for 1878 to 1960 and they cover voyages from Malaysia. These give details of people arriving in Britain and contain the same information as the outgoing passenger lists. Again, it is necessary to know the port of arrival, and the approximate date. They are in record class BT 26.

Many of these passenger lists are also available to search online. The existing online records contain the same information as you would find in the original records, but the complete set isn't currently available online. However, it is being added to all the time, and is much easier and quicker than searching the lists at the National Archives.

http://www.findmypast.com/passengerListPersonSear
chStart.action

Earlier records may be found in the India Office at the British Library. These are the records for the East India Company vessels, which include any applications for passage to the East India Company Board. They are not available online, so you need to visit the library in person.

The National Archives keeps records of passenger lists of those leaving Britain for Malaysia from 1890-1960. To search these, it's necessary to know the departing or arriving port and the date your ancestor left Britain. The records are in series BT 27, and contain names, occupations, ages, UK addresses and landing port of all passengers leaving the UK.

The National Archives also holds incoming passenger lists for 1878 to 1960 and they cover voyages from Malaysia. These give details of people arriving in Britain and contain the same information as the outgoing passenger lists. Again, it is necessary to know the port of arrival, and the approximate date. They are in record class BT 26.

Earlier records may be found in the India Office at the British Library. These are the records for the East India Company vessels, which include any applications for passage to the East India Company Board. They are not available online, so you need to visit the library in person.

Another way to trace an individual family member's journey to Britain is to search for their naturalisation papers. Not everyone who came to Britain went through the naturalisation process, but some papers for those who did are held at The National Archives, Kew. However, these papers are not complete, so there is no guarantee that you will find the ones you are looking for. Records survive in several series, and some records will also include correspondence on individual naturalisations. The main series to search are C 54 for 1844-1873 and HO 334 for 1870-1987.

Some of the HO 334 records can be searched online. Although you can't view the individual record, you can see if one exists for your ancestor by searching by name and series (HO 334). If the document is dated 1922 or later and held by The National Archives it may not be available for public access, but you can request a review under the Freedom of Information Act.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue

Records of naturalisations after 1987 are available via the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Department, and are only available to the person themselves or the next of kin. Records dating from before 1844 can be rare and complicated. The National Archives have a useful research guide which is available online.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLe
aflet.asp?sLeafletID=242

Maps and plans can give you a sense of where your ancestors lived, as well as how the land and boundaries have changed over the years. They can also be used to find transport routes, trading areas and streets as they were in a particular period of history.

There is an extensive collection of maps and plans of many countries at the National Archives, Kew. Their online research guide will give you more information about the types of maps and plans available. They cover a wide range of dates. The State Papers (SP) have maps and plans dating back to the sixteenth century.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLe
aflet.asp?sLeafletID=64

The British Library holds an extensive collection of over four and a half million maps of various countries, dating back to the fifteenth century. They also have a helpful online guide to the maps.

http://www.bl.uk/collections/mapresearch.html

You can also search the British Library catalogue for relevant maps.

http://www.bl.uk/collections/map_catalogue.html

The University of Texas have produced a website showing maps with political boundaries, as well as historical maps of Malaysia dating back to 1854.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/malaysia.html

The 'World Fact Book' website is a useful resource for a map of Malaysia as well as additional geographical information on its location, climate, terrain and natural resources, amongst others.

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geo
s/my.html

As with British school records, the survival rates vary from school to school. If records do survive they may contain information ranging from simple lists of attendees to full school reports and records.

If you want to trace your ancestors' school records it will be necessary to know the area and the schools in Malaysia they attended. For further advice on schools in Malaysia, it's best to contact the National Archives of Malaysia.

If your ancestors were educated in Britain, you may be able to locate the school records. However, if these survive, they will be held at the appropriate Local or County Record Office, so you will need to know where your ancestor was educated. Not all the records do survive.

Rarely, some educational records are held in the Education class (ED) at the National Archives. To find out what exists for a particular place, search on the online catalogue, using the place name as a keyword and ED as the series code. There is also an extensive research guide on education records available at the National Archives.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLe
aflet.asp?sLeafletID=370

As with British school records, the survival rates vary from school to school. If records do survive they may contain information ranging from simple lists of attendees to full school reports and records.

If you want to trace your ancestors' school records it will be necessary to know the area and the schools in Malaysia they attended. For further advice on schools in Malaysia, it's best to contact the National Archives of Malaysia.

If your ancestors were educated in Britain, you may be able to locate the school records. However, if these survive, they will be held at the appropriate Local or County Record Office, so you will need to know where your ancestor was educated. Not all the records do survive.

Rarely, some educational records are held in the Education class (ED) at the National Archives. To find out what exists for a particular place, search on the online catalogue, using the place name as a keyword and ED as the series code. There is also an extensive research guide on education records available at the National Archives.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLe
aflet.asp?sLeafletID=370

Government Gazettes for the Federation of Malaya (Malaysia) may provide a wide range of information on civil servants such as notification of appointments, promotions, transfers, leave, resumption of duty, and retirement. They may also give lists of public servants such as parish constables, doctors and midwives. The National Archives reference is CO 930 for Gazettes from 1948 to 1980.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/searchthearchi
ves/

The India Office at the British Library holds government correspondence files. They will also hold printed material and secondary sources relating to employment and conditions in Malaysia. Their holdings include calendars, directories and gazettes, and can contain useful information about employment and employers in Malaysia. They also hold a biographical index of colonial governors appointed to Malaysia.

Census returns also provide valuable information about ancestors' occupations and are held at the National Archives of Malaysia. They can be contacted for information about specific census returns and the dates from which the census survives. The National Archives of Malaysia may also hold information relating to specific trades and businesses, especially if they had dealings with the government at any point in time. You will need to contact them directly if you are searching for a specific ancestor or occupation.

Government Gazettes for the Federation of Malaya (Malaysia) may provide a wide range of information on civil servants such as notification of appointments, promotions, transfers, leave, resumption of duty, and retirement. They may also give lists of public servants such as parish constables, doctors and midwives. The National Archives reference is CO 930 for Gazettes from 1948 to 1980.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/searchthearchi
ves/

The India Office at the British Library holds government correspondence files. They will also hold printed material and secondary sources relating to employment and conditions in Malaysia. Their holdings include calendars, directories and gazettes, and can contain useful information about employment and employers in Malaysia. They also hold a biographical index of colonial governors appointed to Malaysia.

Census returns also provide valuable information about ancestors' occupations and are held at the National Archives of Malaysia. They can be contacted for information about specific census returns and the dates from which the census survives. The National Archives of Malaysia may also hold information relating to specific trades and businesses, especially if they had dealings with the government at any point in time. You will need to contact them directly if you are searching for a specific ancestor or occupation.

The different types of religion in Malaysia reflect the variety of races living there. Islam is the official religion but Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and other religions are practised freely. It is possible that religious records are available in Malaysia for all these groups, but as with British church records, they may be sporadic if they survive at all. To find out more, you will need to contact the relevant religious institution in Malaysia to find out more.

'Family History: Cultures and Faiths', by Michael Gandy, published by the National Archives, explains how to trace Church of England, Catholic, Nonconformist, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu records, amongst others. The book explores how the lives of ancestors were shaped by faith and gives useful tips on where to start looking for useful records

If your British ancestor was a missionary, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) holds a wealth of information relating to missionaries and their activities, as well as records of individual missionaries. You should be able to find the dates of enlistment, and in some cases the places to which the missionaries were sent, as well as individual records containing dates and places of birth.

The Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) has microfilmed copies of surviving birth, christening, marriage and death records for many countries. Search the online database to locate the records. The LDS have many family history libraries all over the world, and you can order in copies of the microfilms to view in your nearest LDS Family History Centre. Use the website to locate your nearest centre.

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frame
set_fhc.asp

The Society of Genealogists holds a collection of material from Malaysia, including copies of church records, and inscriptions from cemeteries. You may be able to find the date of death and name of your ancestor, including both Malaysians and Britons who were buried in Malaysia.

Religious records of baptisms, marriages and burials are still held locally in the relevant country, but some of the records are available in the Guildhall Library in London.

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/leisur
e_heritage/libraries_archives_museums_galleries/ci
ty_london_libraries/guildhall_lib.htm

There is also an extensive collection called the Bishop of London's International Memoranda. Some of these records were deposited with the General Register Office, and are now transferred to the National Archives, Kew. They can be viewed at Kew and are indexed in class RG 43. The best starting point to see if the National Archives or the Guildhall Library have any relevant records is by using 'The British Overseas' by Geoffrey Yeo. You should be able to order this from your local library. This lists all sources available country by country.

The Family Records Centre, Islington, holds some records for consular births, marriages and deaths, but you will need to visit in person to search the indexes, as they aren't complete.

The different types of religion in Malaysia reflect the variety of races living there. Islam is the official religion but Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and other religions are practised freely. It is possible that religious records are available in Malaysia for all these groups, but as with British church records, they may be sporadic if they survive at all. To find out more, you will need to contact the relevant religious institution in Malaysia to find out more.

'Family History: Cultures and Faiths', by Michael Gandy, published by the National Archives, explains how to trace Church of England, Catholic, Nonconformist, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu records, amongst others. The book explores how the lives of ancestors were shaped by faith and gives useful tips on where to start looking for useful records.

There is no specialist organisation for Muslim family history research. In Britain, records are held with the local county Records Office or at the relevant institution. However, depositing of Muslim (and all other non-Anglican) records is not compulsory so you need to contact your local record office to check what is held.

During the Second World War a Muslim burial ground was created at Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, Surrey by the British government to bury Muslim soldiers from allied troops. The burial registers are held at the Surrey County Record Office in Kent. The cemetery has a website which contains further details.

http://www.brookwoodcemetery.com/index.htm

For records in Malaysia, you will need to check with the relevant organisations (the mosque, any national Muslim body, or any existing record office) as to what records are held, and where.

The National Archives of Malaysia hold records of the Dutch Reformed Church at Malacca, covering the period 1642-1825. They consist of baptismal registers (1642-1790 and 1800-1825), church council records (1694-1825), clerical financial records (1782-1822) and various churches membership lists.

http://www.tanap.net/content/archives/archives.cf
m?ArticleID=208

The remaining archives of the VOC government of Malacca are not kept in Malaysia anymore. Some were transferred to London in 1927 and can now be consulted at the Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections of the British Library.

http://www.bl.uk/collections/asiapacificafrica.ht
ml

Additional documentation originating from these archives is stored in the National Archives of Indonesia at Jakarta: Jl Ampera Raya, Cilandak III, Jakarta, 12560, Indonesia.

The remainder can be found in the National Archives of the Netherlands at The Hague: 20 Prins Willem-Alexanderhof, The Hague, The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0) 703 315 400

http://www.en.nationaalarchief.nl/default.asp

The Society of Genealogists holds a collection of material from Malaysia, including copies of church records, and inscriptions from cemeteries. You may be able to find the date of death and name of your ancestor, including both Malaysians and Britons who were buried in Malaysia.

Religious records of baptisms, marriages and burials are still held locally in the relevant country, but some of the records are available in the Guildhall Library in London.

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/leisur
e_heritage/libraries_archives_museums_galleries/ci
ty_london_libraries/guildhall_lib.htm

In Britain, local county Records Offices hold some Hindu records. However, depositing of Hindu (and all other non-Anglican) records is not compulsory so you need to contact your local record office to check what is held.

There is no specialist organisation for Hindu family history research. However, if your ancestors were Hindu, contacting a community association can help you to learn more about the culture of your ancestors and help you start your search. Many community associations are listed on the Hindu Forum of Great Britain’s website.

http://www.hfb.org.uk/Default.aspx?sID=6&lID=
0

For records in other countries, you will need to check with the relevant organisations (temples, any national Hindu body, or any existing record office) as to what records are held, and where.

The National Council of Hindu Temples (UK): Shree Sanatan Mandir, 84 Weymouth Street, off Catherine Street, Leicester, LE4 6FQ. Telephone: +44 (0) 116 266 1402

info@nchtuk.org

The National Council of Hindu Temples, Leicester was established in 1978. It links and works with Hindu temples for the benefit the Hindu community in Britain. The council produces a number of helpful publications, including a directory of Hindu temples in the UK.

http://www.nchtuk.org/

In Britain, local county Records Offices hold some Buddhist records. However, depositing of Buddhist (and all other non-Anglican) records is not compulsory so you need to contact your local record office to check what is held.

The Buddhist Society, founded in 1924, is one of the oldest Buddhist organisations in Europe. The society has an extensive library which is open to non-members, and the catalogue can be searched online. This will be a useful source of background information if you wish to find out more about the different branches of Buddhism.

http://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/

In Britain, local county Records Offices hold some Sikh records. However, depositing of Sikh (and all other non-Anglican) records is not compulsory so you need to contact your local record office to check what is held.

For records in other countries, you will need to check with the relevant organisations (Gurdwaras, any national Sikh body, or any existing record office) as to what records are held, and where.

The central organisation for Sikhism is called the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and is based in the Punjab. Their website lists historical Gurdwaras in India and Pakistan.

http://www.sgpc.net/historical-gurdwaras/index.as
p

'All About Sikhs' also lists Gurdwaras in Malaysia

http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/gurudwaras/gurudwara
s-of-the-world.html

Sikhs made a considerable contribution to the British war effort. Read more about Sikhs who fought in the two world wars and Sikh forces in the Anglo-Sikh War on the 'Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail' website.

http://www.asht.info/Sikhs+&+British+Empire.h
tml

'Sikh.net' has an online list of Sikh Gurdwaras in Britain.

http://www.sikh.net/Gurdwara/World/GWUK.htm

The London Metropolitan Archives hold some records of the Central Gurdwara in Kensington from the 1980s.

http://www.a2a.org.uk/html/074-acc2516.htm

'Punjabilok' lists Gurdwaras and their locations in Malaysia

http://www.punjabilok.com/faith/sikh/faith_gurdwa
ra_malaysia.htm

As in many countries, the birth, marriage and death records for Malaysia aren't complete, as not everyone completed the returns. To trace civil registration documents in Malaysia, the best thing to do is contact the National Archives of Malaysia directly.

If your ancestors were of British origin but were born in Malaysia, the civil registration documents may possibly be available in the UK. The National Archives, Kew holds some of the records kept by British consulates abroad and at sea. From the nineteenth century they were obliged to send their records to the General Register Office of England and Wales. The army also kept its own registers for personnel at home and abroad.

The Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) has microfilmed copies of surviving birth, christening, marriage and death records for many countries. Search the online database to locate the records. The LDS have many family history libraries all over the world, and you can order in copies of the microfilms to view in your nearest LDS family history centre. Use the website to locate your nearest centre.

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frame
set_fhc.asp

The Registrar General of Births and Deaths is happy to undertake searches on your behalf. It will be more helpful and quicker if you have some idea of the area in which the birth or death you are researching was registered: Petaling Jaya for West Malaysia, Kuching for Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu for Sabah. They charge for their services, and fees can vary, so the best thing to do is to contact the Registrar General of Births and Deaths for more information.

Marriage registration has been in place in Malaysia since the late 1800s. If the marriage in question took place after the mid-1800s, then you may be able to get a copy of the marriage record by contacting the National Registration Department.

http://www.jpn.gov.my/

Certified copies of civil marriages for those marriages contracted in the state of Sabah and Sarawak, may be obtained from the Superintendent Registrar of Marriages in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Kuching, Sarawak, respectively.

In addition, there are records on microfilm that have originated from the Roman Catholic St. Peter's Church in Malacca, namely, marriage registers (1768-1838) and burial registers (1787-1827). There are likely to be copies of these registers available in the India Office at the British Library.

If you are looking for a record of a divorce, copies of civil marriage certificate with endorsement of divorce particulars are obtainable at the Marriage Registry at the National Registration Department.

Certified copies of Islamic divorce decrees may be obtained from the Mahkamah Syariah Court in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/Country%
20Folder/M/Malaysia.htm

If your ancestors were born in the UK, you can trace their birth, marriage and death records using the General Register Office website.

http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/

You can also search in person at the Family Records Centre, Islington, London. However, copies of certificates need to be ordered and there are fees involved. It costs 23 pounds for a certificate to be delivered to the Family Records Centre in 24 hours, or 7 pounds for a four-day delivery time.

If you pay the subscription fee you can search the indexes online at 'Ancestry.com'. 'Free Births Marriages and Deaths' also has some of these records. They aren't yet complete but are being constantly updated.

http://www.freebmd.org

For wills proved after 1858, you need to visit the Probate Search Rooms: First Avenue House, 42-49 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NP.

http://www.courtservice.gov.uk

As in many countries, the birth, marriage and death records for Malaysia aren't complete, as not everyone completed the returns. To trace civil registration documents in Malaysia, the best thing to do is contact the National Archives of Malaysia directly.

The Registrar General of Births and Deaths is happy to undertake searches on your behalf. It will be more helpful and quicker if you have some idea of the area in which the birth or death you are researching was registered: Petaling Jaya for West Malaysia, Kuching for Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu for Sabah. They charge for their services, and fees can vary, so the best thing to do is to contact the Registrar General of Births and Deaths for more information.

Marriage registration has been in place in Malaysia since the late 1800s. If the marriage in question took place after the mid-1800s, then you may be able to get a copy of the marriage record by contacting the National Registration Department.

http://www.jpn.gov.my/

Certified copies of civil marriages for those marriages contracted in the state of Sabah and Sarawak, may be obtained from the Superintendent Registrar of Marriages in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Kuching, Sarawak, respectively.

In addition, there are records on microfilm that have originated from the Roman Catholic St. Peter's Church in Malacca, namely, marriage registers (1768-1838) and burial registers (1787-1827). There are likely to be copies of these registers available in the India Office at the British Library.

If you are looking for a record of a divorce, copies of civil marriage certificate with endorsement of divorce particulars are obtainable at the Marriage Registry at the National Registration Department.

Certified copies of Islamic divorce decrees may be obtained from the Mahkamah Syariah Court in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/Country%
20Folder/M/Malaysia.htm

The Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) has microfilmed copies of surviving birth, christening, marriage and death records for many countries. Search the online database to locate the records. The LDS have many family history libraries all over the world, and you can order in copies of the microfilms to view in your nearest LDS family history centre. Use the website to locate your nearest centre.

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frame
set_fhc.asp

The Family Records Centre, Islington, holds some records for consular births, marriages and deaths, but you will need to visit in person to search the indexes, as they aren't complete.