In the last post, we went through the Girmit database and how to search for ancestors using their names, arrival date, or ship name – Part 1. In this post, we review the Family Search database.

Family Search database

Family Search is a worldwide database to help locate ancestors. Signing up is free and this database links to other genealogy/ancestry sites such as the New Zealand Genealogy Society (NZGS).

The records are pulled from primary databases in source countries, including Fiji. This database helped me link my ancestors with the rest of the known family, or to find the missing link. For example, I found GGM#1, a missing link, through her children’s records on this database. Finding her led me to the right GGF#1.

Through the Family Search database, you can find records of marriages, deaths, and passport applications in Fiji from 1900 to 1989. That is IF these events got registered.

To access the records, create a free account. Every time you do a search, always remember to put ‘place’ as Fiji at the bottom. You can amend the search using other filters. Some filters are alternate names, a life event, the year range of the life event, etc. Please see the image below.


Excerpt from a search on Family Search

Hints

This database helped tie some loose ends in my research. For example, I knew the name of GGF#1 but I did not know the name of his wife, GGM#1. To verify this information, I searched within this database for evidence of the marriage/union. Evidence can include the names of any children that came from the marriage/union. Thus, I searched using the known names of my uncles and aunts, including my parents.

I found GGM#1, through the names of her children (my uncles and aunts). These findings were instrumental in linking GGF#1 to GGM#1. I could not find their marriage record, however.

Also, I could not link GGF#1 to my aunties and uncles. Some names are misspelt on some of the records. It was a blessing that GGM#1’s name was spelt consistently right for all her children’s records. Therefore, be prepared to search for names using various spellings. Ram Swarup, for example, can be spelt Ramsarup, or Vikashni can be Vikeshna or Bikasna.

In this respect, this database can be a bit limited, so if you have an opportunity to get connected to an affiliate library, do so. Such an affiliation will help you access proper microfilm records. I signed up to the New Zealand Genealogy Society (NZGS) to access the marriage and birth records of my great grandparents. It is a worthy investment because these microfilm records are not available freely on Fiji Archives, the National Library of Australia, or the Girmit database.

Note that the records on Family Search are up to 1989 only. Sometimes if life events were not officially recorded, those details will not show up here.

The next database we will look at is the General Register of Indian immigrants in Fiji. If you missed the story of my ancestry research inspiration, please read Gandhi speaks to me from beyond his grave!

Love,

Vikashni