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Showing 50 of 800 matches — scanned Natal, Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana, Trinidad + Sri Lanka registers
Letters home (4)Digitised Calcutta letters — Sarnámihuis / CHDH
1905-01-02 00:00:00 · Remise formulier → Remise formulierHosenbakash, gaijadin no 427/S aan zijnen broeder Beni Madho
Loi no 357/Ff aan zijnen vader Jodhie
Kallycharan no 548/V aan zijnen schoonbroeder Lalu
Matai no 871/Y aan zijnen vade…
Hosenbakash, gaijadin no 427/S aan zijnen broeder Beni Madho
Loi no 357/Ff aan zijnen vader Jodhie
Kallycharan no 548/V aan zijnen schoonbroeder Lalu
Matai no 871/Y aan zijnen vader Ramdyiawan
Lokhai no 1048/Ee aan zijnen vader Hiralall
Deotadin no 240/Aa aan zijnen vader Nirbhoy
Rupchand Mohato no 410/S aan zijnen grootvader Hiroo mohato
Jaggu no 696/U aan zijnen vader Sewdin
Ismail no 147/Ee aan zijnen broeder Gorseth Hosen
Ubsman no 164/Ff aan zijnen vriend Jian
Sanehi no 512/Ee aan zijne zuster Sukdai
Ganpat no 345/Ff aan zijnen broeder Durga Tewari
Janno no 344/Ff aan zijnen vader Addaijgaure en van
Jeolal no 1017/R aan zijnen schoonzoon Ramkisun.
De Dc
(handtek)
Dutch (translation pending)
1905-07-22 00:00:00 · Corstiaan Van Drimmelen → Administrateur van FinanciënParamo 22 Juli 1905 No. 1070 met f. 407.- Ik heb de eer UHEG te verzoeken mij, voor het equivalent in Ponden sterling van bijgaand bedrag van Vier honderd & zeven gulden (f 407) t…
Paramo 22 Juli 1905 No. 1070 met f. 407.- Ik heb de eer UHEG te verzoeken mij, voor het equivalent in Ponden sterling van bijgaand bedrag van Vier honderd & zeven gulden (f 407) te willen doen toekomen een order op onzen Emigratie Agent te Calcutta, zijnde de remises van (met potlood: 467) Ganesh 1029/X aan zijn moeder Bhaganta f 25. (467) Manbodh 433/X ,, ,, broeder Sewpal 100. (468) Usman 164/Ff ,, ,, schoonvader Jian 250.- (468) Mohan 645/I ,, ,, broeder Isri 10 (468) Chutter Sing 874/M ,, ,, broeder Dewki Sing 10 (469) Sukhari 601/Ee ,, ,, broeder Jokhu 12 A v. F. Beh. v/h I.f.
Dutch (translation pending)
1905-07-17 00:00:00 · DC Beneden Commewijne → Corstiaan Van DrimmelenDistrict BENEDEN COMMEWIJNE. Stn. Frederiksdorp, den 17 Juli 1905 No. 955 Bijlagen: 3. met f 250.- Stempel: Immigratie Departement d.d. 18 Juli 1905 No. 1696 Aantekeningen: -hr.…
District BENEDEN COMMEWIJNE. Stn. Frederiksdorp, den 17 Juli 1905 No. 955 Bijlagen: 3. met f 250.- Stempel: Immigratie Departement d.d. 18 Juli 1905 No. 1696 Aantekeningen: -hr. .... (?) -fo. 468 -ontv, paraaf Ik heb de eer UHoogEdelGestrenge hiernevens toe te zenden remise groot f 250.- (Twee honderd en vijftig gulden) ten mijnen bureele bezorgd door Usman no. 164/Ff voor Jian benevens 2 koeliebrieven ten mijnen bureele bezorgd door Usman no. 164/Ff aan den vader van zijnen schoonzoon Jian en van Chhatarpal no. 172/Ee aan zijnen vader Kasiram zijnde deze bestemd ter verzending naar Britsch Indie. De wd Districts Cimmissaris, Handtekening Aan Den Heer Agent-Generaal.
Dutch (translation pending)
1905-07-17 00:00:00 · Remise formulier → Remise formulierSURINAME --- Immigratie-Departement ------------ VOLGNUMMER 11. BEDRAG f. 250.- DATUM 17 Juli 1905. Van: Naam: Usman Nummer: 164 Letter: Ff Scheepsnummer: - (bijgeschreven…
SURINAME --- Immigratie-Departement ------------ VOLGNUMMER 11. BEDRAG f. 250.- DATUM 17 Juli 1905. Van: Naam: Usman Nummer: 164 Letter: Ff Scheepsnummer: - (bijgeschreven: 400 ex Rhone) Sekse: Mannelijk Kaste: Mosulman Woonplaats: Marienburg Betrekking tot hem of haar, aan wie(n) de remise wordt overgemaakt: aan den vader van zijnen schoonzoon. Aan: Naam: Jian Vadersnaam: Sobhei Kaste: Nowe Beroep: barbier Zillah: Basti Pargannah: Magahar Thanah: Boodha Gawn: Nimae Aanmerkingen: Bij afwezigheid van Jian wenscht Usman no. 164/Ff, dat dit bedrag wordt uitbetaald aan zijne dochter Gafoorun, die dezelfde woonplaats heeft als Jian.
Dutch (translation pending)
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Letters home (7)Digitised Calcutta letters — Sarnámihuis / CHDH
1908-02-17 00:00:00 · Corstiaan Van Drimmelen → Administrateur ImmigratiefondsParamo 17 Februari 08
No 143
met f 381
Ik heb de eer UHG te verzoeken mij voor het equivalent in Ponden Sterling van bijgaand bedrag van drie honderd een en tachtig gulden te will…
Paramo 17 Februari 08
No 143
met f 381
Ik heb de eer UHG te verzoeken mij voor het equivalent in Ponden Sterling van bijgaand bedrag van drie honderd een en tachtig gulden te willen doen toekomen een order op onzen Emigratie agent te Calcutta, zijnde de remises van:
1. DebiDin No 522/A aan zijn broeders Ramtohul en Sewtohul f 40
2. Malikhadin No 1595/X “ “ schoonvader Yadali 40
3. Bhagun No 720/U “ “ neef Angnu 50
4. Mooloo Singh 105/Ii “ broeder Dalel Singh 20
5. Bakraichi 1176/Jj “ vader Sahabdeen 12
6. Ramnewaj 556/Jj “ broeder Ramnarain 50
7. Trebeni 649/Y “ “ Raghobar 40
8. Kanhai 934/Jj “ vader Kalidin 20
9. Hulas 931/” “ “ Ramphall 20
10. Suphal 576/” “ zoon Soereman 40
11. Sarjupersad 1155/” “ vader Ramkumar 29
12. Ramdeni 608/Y “ “ Nanjadal Rai 20
---------------------
f 381
AVF
Beh v/h If.
De A.G.
Dutch (translation pending)
1920-04-13 00:00:00 · AG algemeen → Administrateur van FinanciënINV. 0505 0505_0006 Paramaribo, 13 april 1920 Immigratie-Departement ------------------------------ No. 475/V. Voor het equivalent in Ponden Sterling van bijgaan…
INV. 0505 0505_0006 Paramaribo, 13 april 1920 Immigratie-Departement ------------------------------ No. 475/V. Voor het equivalent in Ponden Sterling van bijgaand bedrag van Twee Honderd Vier en Negentig Gulden (f. 294.-) verzoek ik UHoogEdelGestrenge mij te willen doen toekomen een wissel op onzen Emigratie-Agent te Calcutta. Dit bedrag maakt uit de remises van: Maddoo 454/Jj aan zijn broeder Fazil …………………..f. 40.- Augulalall 1045/R ,, ,, ,, Jagernath ………………f. 14.- Idu 470/Aa ,, ,, ,, Dahu ……………………f.25.- Bahraichi 1176/Jj ,, ,, vader Sahabu ………………….f.25.- Rampershad 700/X ,, ,, broeder Inro ……………………..f.20.- Dil Mahomed 1337/M ,, ,, vader Sardar………………… f.120.- Janki 453/Jj ,, ,, zuster Budhani…………………f.50.- --------------- f.294.- --------------- De Agent-Generaal, Aan den Heer Administrateur van Financien, Beheerder van het Immigratiefonds ---------------------------------------------
Dutch (translation pending)
1920-05-05 00:00:00 · AG Suriname → Emigratieagent voor SurinameINV. 0505 0505_0008 ZIE FOTO, BOVENSTE GEDEELTE BESCHADIGD 4. Bahraichi 244 ex Indus I to his father, or by absence to his brother Idu Mosulman residing in: Zillah : Ba…
INV. 0505 0505_0008 ZIE FOTO, BOVENSTE GEDEELTE BESCHADIGD 4. Bahraichi 244 ex Indus I to his father, or by absence to his brother Idu Mosulman residing in: Zillah : Basti Thana : Captaingunje Gawn : Pokhara 5. Rampershad 202 ex Grecian £ 1-13-4 = fl. 20.- to his brother Inroe-Ahir residing in: Zillah : Azamgarh, Thana : Nizambad, Gawn : Semra. 6. Dilmahomed 71 ex Laleham – Peshwa £ 10 = fl. 120.- to his father Sardar Mosulman residing in: Zillah : Basti, Thana : do Gawn : Battila 7. Janki 430 ex Avon £ 4-3-4 = fl. 50.- to his sister Budhana Lodhin or by absence to his brother in law Chiller – Lodh residing in: Zillah : Basti, Thana : Bansi, Gawn : Khameria To be dealt with as customary I forwarded to you by 2 separated covers 80 indian letters and now I am forwarding you. 19. Please note the following about some remittances viz: of Karamat (vide your letter No. 154/10 of 30-12-19) The remitter requests to pay the amount £ 1-13-4 = fl. 20.- to his brother Sher-Ali who was living with his mother Kabilan, or absence to his sister Hasni, residing in: Zillah : Gaya, Thana : Naurangha, Gawn : Madewa of Goordin 856 ex Mutlah vide your letter No. 11/1 of 15-1-2. The remitter requests to pay the money to Maharajia, the widow
1909-10-07 00:00:00 · EA → AG SurinameINV. 06520652_0016 Emigration Agency for SurinamNo. 1193/39 Calcutta, 7 October 1909 The Immigration Agent General for the Colony of Surinam…
INV. 06520652_0016 Emigration Agency for SurinamNo. 1193/39 Calcutta, 7 October 1909 The Immigration Agent General for the Colony of Surinam ParamariboSir, Confirming my last letter No.1129/38 of the 23 ultimo, I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter Nos. 961/17 and 990/18 dated the 21 & 28 August ’09 respectively with their enclosures. The contents have been noted and they will have my careful attention. Claim of Bahraichi return emigrant no.500 ex “Mullah”, vide your letter No. 961/17 of the 21 August ’09. As requested the equivalent of £35.10.6 will be paid to him when he is traced.Remittance of Oudha No. 296 ex “Main” of £2.1.8 vide your above letter. The remittance will also be paid out to Muss Guthura mother of the remittes.Remittance of Bedesi no. 876 ex “Ganges” II of £ 1.6.8 to his mother Sanjharia vide your above letter. The magistrate of Basti has traced the remittee and the remittance in question will now be paid out to her.Remittance of Ramsaran no. 161 ex “Avon” £ 2/- to his brother Soman Samthawar and of Matadayal no. 324
1921-10-20 00:00:00 · EA → AG SurinameImmigratie Departementdd. 7 December 1921No. 14/FEMIGRATION AGENCY FOR SURINAM,EZRA MANSIONS No. 13,Calcutta, 20th October 1921.No. 259/14(met potlood 22 Dec. ’21 No.18757)To T…
Immigratie Departementdd. 7 December 1921No. 14/FEMIGRATION AGENCY FOR SURINAM,EZRA MANSIONS No. 13,Calcutta, 20th October 1921.No. 259/14(met potlood 22 Dec. ’21 No.18757)To The Immigration Agent General for the Colony of Surinam Paramaribo Sir,Confirming my last letter No. 254/13 of the 13th inst, I have the honor to give you below some particulars about relatives of emigrants:Bahraichi No. 244 ex: ss “Indus” vide your letter No. 5/3 d. 30.6.21: Mosst Luchmonia mother and Idu brother of Bahraichi are not willing to go to Surinam.Jugdeo No. 66 ex: “Hereford IV” vide your same letter: Sahadeo Bharathi and others are willing to go to Surinam after the rainy season is over and after disposal of a criminal case pending against them.Balgobind No. 646 ex: “Avon II” vide your letter No. 4/2f d. 21.4.21. Ramessur Murao brother of Balgobind is willing to go to Surinam provided Balgobind pays him Rs. 600/- to clear off his debts.I have the honor to be,Sir,Your most obedient servant,HandtekeningEmigration Agent for Surinam.
AG Suriname → EAbeing the remittances of:Maddoo N 4310 ex Avon £ 3-6 -8 =Fl 40 to his brother Fazil or be absence to his other brother Faizullah, residing in:Zillah : BastiThanah : ChilhiaGawn :…
being the remittances of:Maddoo N 4310 ex Avon £ 3-6 -8 =Fl 40 to his brother Fazil or be absence to his other brother Faizullah, residing in:Zillah : BastiThanah : ChilhiaGawn : ChakaijoteAngulall n 26 ex Ganges £ 1 -3 -4 = fl 14 to his brother Jagernath Goreria, residing in:Zillah : CamporeThanah : BalhowerGawn : MaidjapoeraBy absence the ammount to be retutnedIdu N 147 ex Avon £ 2 -1-8 = fl 25 to his brother Dahu Pathon, or by absence to his other brother lalmahomed, residing in:Zillah : BastiThanah : ChappiaGawn : GardakiaBahraichi N 244 ex Indus I £ 2 -1 -8 = fl 25 to his brother father Sahadri or by absence to his brother Idu – momemon to residing in:Zillah : BastiThanah : CapwingungeGawn : PokhanRampersad N 202 ex Grecian £ 1-13-4 = fl 20. to his brother Inroe-Ahir residing in:
AG algemeen → DC algemeen7. f20=Rs 24-3-0 van Modoosing op de ........aan zijn vader Kamulsing8. f50=Rs 60-7-6 van Ramenaj No 556/Jj op Dordrecht aan zijn broeder Ramnarain9. f20=Rs24-3-0 van Kanhai No 934…
7. f20=Rs 24-3-0 van Modoosing op de ........aan zijn vader Kamulsing8. f50=Rs 60-7-6 van Ramenaj No 556/Jj op Dordrecht aan zijn broeder Ramnarain9. f20=Rs24-3-0 van Kanhai No 934/Jj op Dordrecht aan zijn vader Kali.......10. f20= Rs 24-3-0 van Hulas No 931/Jj op Dordrecht aan zijn vader Ramphall11. f12=Rs 14-8-3 van Bakraishi No1176/Jj op de Maasstroom aan zijn vader Suka...
Dutch (translation pending)
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Letters home (2)Digitised Calcutta letters — Sarnámihuis / CHDH
1912-07-05 00:00:00 · AG algemeen → Administrateur van FinanciënINV. 0477 0477.0002 Immigratie-Departement No.758/V Paramaribo, 5 Juli 1912 Bijlagen f.215 Ik heb de eer UHoogEdelGestrenge te verzoeken mij voor het equivalent in…
INV. 0477 0477.0002 Immigratie-Departement No.758/V Paramaribo, 5 Juli 1912 Bijlagen f.215 Ik heb de eer UHoogEdelGestrenge te verzoeken mij voor het equivalent in Ponden Sterling van bijgaand bedrag van f.215.- (Twee honderd en vijftien gulden) te willen doen toekomen een order op onzen Emigratie Agent te Calcutta zijnde remises van de navolgende Britsch-Indische immigranten t.w: 1º Bir no.19/Ll aan zijn broer Algoo f. 20.- 2º Girdhari no.551/Ii aan zijn vrouw Nanka ,, 20.- 3º Karim no.68/Mm aan zijn zoon Abdul Majed ,, 40.- 4º Thakurdin no.388/Ll aan zijn vader Sheoratan ,, 50.- 5º Shaminath no.348/Jj aan zijn vader Mahabir ,, 40.- 6º Gurdin no.353/Jj aan zijn broer Ramdut ,, 25.- 7º Fagu no.1288/Jj aan zijn vader Giraoo ,, 20.- ---------- Totaal f.215.- De Agent-Generaal
Dutch (translation pending)
1912-07-06 00:00:00 · AG Suriname → Emigratieagent voor SurinameINV. 0477 0477.0005 also not to be traced to his brother Mahadew, all residing in: Zillah Basti Thanah Tilokpur Gawn Gagapur A former remittance has been paid out (v…
INV. 0477 0477.0005 also not to be traced to his brother Mahadew, all residing in: Zillah Basti Thanah Tilokpur Gawn Gagapur A former remittance has been paid out (vide voucher no.108 of your account-current of the 4th August 1910). 6º Gurdin no.294 ex Avon II of £2-1-8 = fl.25 to his brother Ramdut Lodh, not to be traced, the amount to be returned. Ramdut resides in: Zillah Basti Thanah Uska Gawn Banjaraha 7º Fagu no.369 ex Indus I of £1-13-4 = fl.20 to his father Ghiraoo Nao, not traceable to his brother Ori, both residing in: Zillah Basti Thanah Budha Gawn Siswapanre Under 3 separate registered covers I forwarded this day to you 58 letters of immigrants to be dealt with as customary. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant Immigration Agent-General
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Understanding Tamil Indenture Records (1834-1920)
What Are Tamil Indenture Records?
Tamil indenture records are historical documents from 1834-1920 that tracked Indian laborers who migrated to British, French, and Dutch colonies under contract (indenture) labor systems. After the abolition of slavery in 1833, colonial plantations needed workers — over 1.5 million Indians, including approximately 500,000 Tamils, migrated as indentured laborers to sugar estates, tea plantations, and infrastructure projects across the world.
These records include ship manifests, immigration passes, arrival registers, and employment contracts. They typically contain the migrant's name, father's name, age, caste, village of origin (often in Tamil Nadu), physical description, ship name, departure port, arrival date, and destination.
Major Destinations for Tamil Migrants
Mauritius (1834-1910)
241,000+ recordsvia III (Indentured Immigration Index)
Largest Tamil diaspora destination. Ships departed from Madras and Pondicherry every 2-3 weeks during peak migration (1860-1890). Voyage duration: 6-8 weeks.
Fiji (1879-1916)
12,000+ recordsvia Girmitiya Madras
Tamil migrants from Madras Presidency. "Girmitiya" (from English "agreement") refers to indentured laborers. Voyage: 8-10 weeks via Colombo.
Natal sugar estates. The Truro (1860) — the first indentured ship — departed from Madras. Voyage: 10-12 weeks via Cape of Good Hope.
United Kingdom — passenger lists (1890-1960)
6,000+ recordsvia TNA (The National Archives, Kew)
UK outward passenger lists (Board of Trade BT 26/27) — ships leaving British ports for India and the colonies. Catalogue-level: useful for provenance, not per-person names.
Suriname (1873-1916)
Archives in progress
Dutch Guiana plantations. Tamil migrants via British India. Ships departed Madras and Calcutta. Voyage: 8-10 weeks.
Origin Ports and Ship Routes
Madras (Chennai) — Primary Departure Port
The vast majority of Tamil migrants departed from Madras Harbor. Recruitment centers (depots) operated in Madras city where migrants underwent medical examination, received travel documents (immigration pass), and boarded ships. Common routes: Madras → Mauritius (6-8 weeks), Madras → Fiji (8-10 weeks via Colombo), Madras → Guyana/Trinidad (10-12 weeks via Cape of Good Hope).
Pondicherry (Puducherry) — French Territory
French colonial port serving migrants to French colonies (Reunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique) and some British destinations. Smaller volume than Madras but significant for southern Tamil Nadu districts (Tanjore, Tiruchirapalli).
Notable Ships in Tamil Indenture Migration
Hundreds of ships transported Tamil migrants between 1834-1920. Major vessels include:
Truro
Madras → Guyana (1860s), Natal
Sheila
Madras → Mauritius (1850s-70s)
Hesperus
Madras → Mauritius & Caribbean
Atlas
Madras → Fiji & Mauritius
British Empire
Madras → Natal, South Africa
Ganges
Multiple routes from Madras
Main
Madras → Trinidad (1870s-90s)
Syria
Madras → Mauritius & Réunion
Fath Al Salem
Early ship to Trinidad (1840s-50s)
Ship manifests list each passenger with detailed information, making them invaluable genealogical sources. Search by ship name above if you know your ancestor's vessel.
What Information Do Indenture Records Contain?
Typical fields in Tamil indenture records:
Full name of migrant
Often transliterated from Tamil
Father's name (patronymic)
Critical for Tamil identification
Age at departure
Usually 18-35 years old
Caste / community
E.g., Pariah, Vellala, Naidu
Village of origin
District and taluk when recorded
Physical description
Height, marks, complexion
Ship name
Vessel that transported them
Indenture/pass number
Unique identifier
Departure & arrival dates
Exact dates when recorded
Destination & estate
Colony and employer assignment
Family relationships
If migrating with spouse/children
Note: The level of detail varies by colonial archive, time period, and record type. Earlier records (1840s-1860s) tend to have less information than later ones (1880s-1920).
Document Digitisation
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Understand why your ancestor migrated — not just when
Explore 30+ key Tamil historical events from 1834 to present — indenture, famines, independence movements, and migration waves. See which events overlapped with your ancestor's lifetime.