Help! Desperate look up needed!

[Titanicfan]

I'm pulling my hair out with this one! I'm researching one of my ancestors who was born in India as a British subject in 1826. I've searched on FIBIS, placed a message on Rootsweb India, searched on Findmypast overseas regs. and I've searched on FamilySearch with no luck. I'm unable to travel to the British Library and I wondered if anyone was going there to research the East India Office records - could they please look up my ancestor for me? His name is Joseph Wale. I don't have any information about his parents - I found out that he was born in Madras, India from the 1881 British Census and from his coastguard records - it just said East Indies.

[AnnB]

Have you tried the India Office Records at the British Library http://www.bl.uk/collections/oiocfam...ry/family.html ? They have a searchable online database.

Best wishes
Ann

[Titanicfan]

Hi AnnB, yes - I searched on this database but unfortunately drew a complete blank also!

[Angelaj]

Hi,
Have you tried to find their marriage? If they had children where were they born - this may help narrowing down places to search. If they married in the uk his father's name should be on the certificate.
Unless he was dead or they married without family approval.
Angelaj

[bumblebee]

On the 1861 census it looks like he is born in East Indies, Poonamaly? Madras. Don't know if that helps.

Bumblebee

[bumblebee]

He seems to have had two wives, as it is Edith on the 1861, but Ann E on the 1881, There is a marriage in June Quarter 1871 for a Joseph Wale in Thanet registration district with an Ann Emma Emptage on the same page. (others on the page). So as Anjelaj said a marriage certificate could at least give his father's name and occupation.

Bumblebee

[Angelaj]

Hi,
Can't help thinking that the 1871 marriage is unlikely to give father as anything other than deceased if Joseph was born c.1826.
Angelaj

[bumblebee]

I might have just been lucky but even when the father has been deceased on all the marriage certificates I have the father has still been named. I am not sure what the 'rule' was as regards naming deceased father's.

Bumblebee

[Jan1954]

You may find the information about fathers named on marriage certificates helpful here: http://home.clara.net/dixons/Certifi...iages.htm#COL8

[Titanicfan]

Thanks, all. That is an idea. I have had the father's names on copies of marriage certificates including when they are deceased. Joseph Wale was married twice, the 1st marriage to Edith produced children - one of them being my great great grandmother.