Hello Shirley, You said: My research is to look for > somebody with a 'mixed' background- preferably a Britisher with some > Indian > Hindu connect, as this will lend a certain sense of historical > significance > to his/her search. Speaking as an Anglo Indian myself I understand very well your complex question and "complex" it is given the past history or us Anglo Indians. The hidden factor arises in that the majority of us Anglo Indians do not and will never know our "Indian" heritage. While we cannot deny our "Indian" heritage, a point (to this day) which many do deny, the politics governing the 17th and 18th century left our ancestors with little option but to deny this fact and therefore, any intermarriage was kept so well hidden. For us to really understand the politics that then existed we ourselves need to understand the politics and culture that our ancestors lived under at the time. There was undeniable severe prejudice on both sides which is a well recorded historial fact. In order to be socially acceptable there could not be any admittance to having Indian ancestry, whether Hindu or Muslim. In the event where a British male married or co-habited with either a Hindu or Muslim female, regardless of the female's social standing, she was in most instances, disinherited by her own family. Having said that, the British male who married or co-habited with an "Indian" female likewise suffered the same fate within the social standing of his community. In many instances, the female was converted to Christianity and adopted a Christian name resulting in her name being a Christian one entered on her childrens' Baptism Certificates. I use the word "British" because I can only speak through experience about the British, as my and my husband's ancestors were of British descent. The Anglo Indians community have all been "lumped" into one basket the result being that every country who played a part in the colonization of India and who therefore now have descendants of "mixed race" are now, all classified as Anglo Indians i.e. French, Dutch and Portuguese. The only way Anglo Indians of "European" descent can specifically be identified is by their surnames. We are of various colours, ranging from "white, blue-eyed and blond" to extremely "dark complexioned" and frequently all in the same family so colour, is not a significant factor. The world renowned author William Dalrymple in his book, "White Moguls" gives an in-depth insight into this complex subject. May I suggest you read his book which explains in detail the "why's" and "wherefore's" and which may assist you in your research. I wish you every success in your documentary Shirley. Should you wish to contact me please do so. I hope I have not offended any Listers as it is not my intention to do so. With best wishes Molly Sarstedt-Hamilton, Townsville, Australia Researching - Sarstedt/Hitchcock/Osborne/Cullen/Pringle/Vargas/Hamilton/Slark/Samworth/Fury/Short/Lawcock/Smith Beautiful autumn weather at present

Dear Molly, Thanks a million for your long and patient email, and my sincere apologies in being able to respond. Ever since I embarked upon this research, I have been inundated with stories, and sucked into a fascinating journey. You are absolutely correct- we're completely on the same page. I have also read some of the corresondence between you and Pat on a web forum. (Have been reading up many, so cant remember exactly which one it is, right now.) This is exactly what makes my research as difficult and fascinating. I have noted all of these problems in being able to find the 'right' story- but I am so sure that it can make for a powerful documentary. In fact, the trouble is also that most Hindus and Muslims are bunched up as 'Indians' and considering I am looking to excavate Hindu record keeping at unique sites in India, this is a small limitation of my research. Yet, I wish to use the records as a launching point into telling an engaging anglo Indian story, and am still looking for a person who might be interested in follwoing his roots back into India. Will you be able to suggest me a few leads? Do you know of any such people? This is for a commissioned film, so the expenses are on us. You help will be a huge boost to my research. I have always followed William's work with great interest. And I am also intrigued to know that he also has some Indian links in his ancestory, even though through the Muslims. Shall stay in touch with you on this. Warm Regards, and many thanks for sparing the time.. Shirley. On Sun, Mar 30, 2008 at 4:45 PM, <l_ehamilton@iprimus.com.au> wrote: > Hello Shirley, > > You said: > > My research is to look for > > somebody with a 'mixed' background- preferably a Britisher with some > > Indian > > Hindu connect, as this will lend a certain sense of historical > > significance > > to his/her search. > > Speaking as an Anglo Indian myself I understand very well your complex > question and "complex" it is given the past history or us Anglo Indians. > The hidden factor arises in that the majority of us Anglo Indians do not > and > will never know our "Indian" heritage. While we cannot deny our "Indian" > heritage, a point (to this day) which many do deny, the politics governing > the 17th and 18th century left our ancestors with little option but to > deny > this fact and therefore, any intermarriage was kept so well hidden. > > For us to really understand the politics that then existed we ourselves > need > to understand the politics and culture that our ancestors lived under at > the time. There was undeniable severe prejudice on both sides which is a > well recorded historial fact. In order to be socially acceptable there > could not be any admittance to having Indian ancestry, whether Hindu or > Muslim. In the event where a British male married or co-habited with > either > a Hindu or Muslim female, regardless of the female's social standing, she > was in most instances, disinherited by her own family. Having said that, > the British male who married or co-habited with an "Indian" female > likewise > suffered the same fate within the social standing of his community. In > many > instances, the female was converted to Christianity and adopted a > Christian > name resulting in her name being a Christian one entered on her childrens' > Baptism Certificates. > > I use the word "British" because I can only speak through experience about > the British, as my and my husband's ancestors were of British descent. > > The Anglo Indians community have all been "lumped" into one basket the > result being that every country who played a part in the colonization of > India and who therefore now have descendants of "mixed race" are now, all > classified as Anglo Indians i.e. French, Dutch and Portuguese. The only > way > Anglo Indians of "European" descent can specifically be identified is by > their surnames. We are of various colours, ranging from "white, blue-eyed > and blond" to extremely "dark complexioned" and frequently all in the same > family so colour, is not a significant factor. > > The world renowned author William Dalrymple in his book, "White Moguls" > gives an in-depth insight into this complex subject. May I suggest you > read > his book which explains in detail the "why's" and "wherefore's" and which > may assist you in your research. > > I wish you every success in your documentary Shirley. Should you wish to > contact me please do so. > > I hope I have not offended any Listers as it is not my intention to do so. > > With best wishes > > Molly Sarstedt-Hamilton, Townsville, Australia > Researching - > > Sarstedt/Hitchcock/Osborne/Cullen/Pringle/Vargas/Hamilton/Slark/Samworth/Fury/Short/Lawcock/Smith > Beautiful autumn weather at present > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >