There are a number on discussions on the web similar to the one raised in "India or Pakistan?" The majority view (my qualitative judgement) seems to be that "What was, was; what is, is" and that you should give the information as it applied at the time unless there is a specific instruction along the lines of "...please use the place name, country name etc. as it is officially known today." The main reason for reaching that conclusion being that if asked for substantiating information (such as a birth certificate or other proof of birth) it would support the information you had provided. Thus if you were born in Karachi before Pakistan existed your country of birth should be given as "India" and not "Pakistan." If you were born in Madras before 1996 your place of birth should be given as "Madras"" and not "Chennai." If you were born in Dahomey before 30th November 1975 your country of birth should be given as "Dahomey" and not "Benin." If officialdom wants to convert your information to comply with some new "rules" then let them.

Very well put Noel !! Very clear!. Let the guys at the desk "translate" the information submitted!! John On 12 June 2015 at 15:33, Noel Clark via <india@rootsweb.com> wrote: > There are a number on discussions on the web similar to the one raised in > "India or Pakistan?" > > The majority view (my qualitative judgement) seems to be that "What was, > was; what is, is" and that you should give the information as it applied at > the time unless there is a specific instruction along the lines of > "...please use the place name, country name etc. as it is officially known > today." The main reason for reaching that conclusion being that if asked > for > substantiating information (such as a birth certificate or other proof of > birth) it would support the information you had provided. > > Thus if you were born in Karachi before Pakistan existed your country of > birth should be given as "India" and not "Pakistan." > If you were born in Madras before 1996 your place of birth should be given > as "Madras"" and not "Chennai." > If you were born in Dahomey before 30th November 1975 your country of birth > should be given as "Dahomey" and not "Benin." > > If officialdom wants to convert your information to comply with some new > "rules" then let them. > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > INDIA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > -- John John A.Thomas Dr. John A.Thomas,MD,FRCPath, FAMS