I have an interest in the life of David Vanderheyden born 1759. He was appointed by HEIC as a writer in 1777 and retired from India in 1801. He then became a Member of Parliament. He died in 1828. Details of his career with HEIC and in politics can be found from the records. My particular query, however, is about his father also named David. David, the father, had been born in Albany, New York in about 1728. There are records of him trading in America in the 1750s and 1760s although son, David, was born in England. David, the father, died in England in 1805. A report of his death in the Gentleman's Magazine states that he was 'formerly of the East India Company's civil service'. References to his son as 'David Vandeheyden Jnr' also suggest that HEIC had dealings with both of them. Other than the Gentleman's Magazine I can find no reference to the father being employed by HEIC. His extensive trading activities in America, at least up to his early thirties, also makes me wonder when he might have been in India. Does anyone have any knowledge of David Vanderheyden senior being employed by HEIC or know of any possible sources of information? David Railton