Find your immigratie number, ship, and plantation (Suriname)
If your family is Indian/Hindustani in Suriname and you’re researching indenture-era records (1873–1916), start with the anchor fields: immigratie number, ship, arrival year, and plantation.
Dutch spellings distort Tamil and Hindi names heavily — TamizhConnect helps you search variants quickly and save the evidence.
Search is private. We don't publish names. Create an account only if you want to save results.
Search is private. We don't publish names. Your saved matches appear in your family workspace.
Start with any ONE:
- immigrant/indenture number
- estate/plantation
- ship name OR approximate year
- depot number / emigration pass
- ancestor + father's name
- Private by default
- No DNA kits
- Evidence-first notes
Have documents? We'll research them for ….
Upload scans or photos. We verify key details and structure them in TamizhConnect.
What you need (and what helps)
- Name variants (Dutch transliterations differ greatly)
- Father’s name
- Immigratie number (if known)
- Ship name or arrival year
- Plantation or employer name
- District of origin in India
Example searches (copy/paste)
Glossary (rank + reduce confusion)
What you can prove vs guess
Can usually confirm
Immigratie number, ship name, arrival date, plantation assignment, declared age, and parent name when listed.
Often unclear without extra sources
Exact Indian village, extended relatives, and Dutch-transliterated names that need cross-checks with Indian records.
Not proof by itself
Family stories without a matching immigratie register entry.
FAQ
Do I need an immigratie number to search?
No. Names, plantations, and ship/year combos can still surface likely records.
Why are names so different in Suriname records?
Dutch clerks transliterated Indian names their own way. Expect heavy spelling shifts from Tamil or Hindi originals.
Is Suriname covered separately from Guyana?
Yes. While the search approach is similar, Suriname records use Dutch administrative terms and have a distinct register system.
Can I search by plantation?
Yes. Plantation names are powerful anchors, especially for common names.
Is the search private?
Yes. Searches are private by default.
How do I save a record?
Create a free account to save matches and attach documents later.
What if I only know a ship name?
Ship name plus a year is enough to get started.
Related pages
Ready to search?
Try the free search first, then decide if you want to save matches.