Can't help with the question about public records (I'd love to know the answer too!), but the 1994 reprint of Lewis' book is available from Sundeep Prakashan Books in New Delhi for $US 44 - their website is at http://www.sundeepbooks.com Direct link to page with the Lewis book (number 171 down the page): http://sundeepbooks.com/servlet/susquickinfo?offset=150&String1=Archaeology% 20and%20Ancient%20Studies&ordby=latest Cheers Ruediger Landmann Brisbane, Australia -----Original Message----- From: Vic [mailto:victorj@sympatico.ca] Sent: Saturday, 11 June 2005 11:49 PM To: SRILANKA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [SRILANKA] PUBLIC RECORDS? Dear listers, I have several surnames that I am attempting to prove lineage and wondered if it is possible to order BMD records from Sri Lanka and if so require contact information . Do they have a public records office as in UK? I am looking for information ca 1786 - 1884. For surnames: DOWBIGGIN - British - Rev. Richard Thomas Dowbiggin came to Ceylon with Church Missionary Society , married in Ceylon to Laeititia Anna LAYARD ( I have a CMS announcement of the marriage) and all children were born in Ceylon. Would like to get records of birth or Christenings. LAYARD - British Charles Edward Layard came to Ceylon as Civil Servant, married there and had 26 children, 22 of whom lived to adulthood......all born in Ceylon.......many lived their lives there, married and had children etc. Would like to get all BMD/Christening records if possible. MOOYAART - Dutch Charles Edward Layard married Barbara Brigetina Mooyaart. Barbara was born in Ceylon, married and died there. She was the daughter of one of the last Dutch Governors to Ceylon. I would also like to obtain a copy of J. Penry Lewis' book List of Inscriptions on Tombstones and Monuments in Ceylon (1913 reprinted in 1994) I was given the Email address of a book store in Colombo by a kind lister however had no response. Any ideas? most welcome. Thank you in advance for any help Jane, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx