Jill wrote:
Could someone help me with deciphering the above
abbreviation please?
>>Marriage at Darjeeling 11th October 1852.
2 Mr Sergt 74th BHJ, >>
Also, on a record an ancestor is described as a "Native of India',
would that mean Indian ancestry, or born in India?
He is described a having "Black complexion"
Also, this was his rank and regiment, Sgt Mjr 7th NI . I seem to
remember reading that if he had rank in the Native Infantry, he was
European? Could someone please put me on the right track with this
please?
A. Almost certainly Qr Mr Serjt. 74th BNI = Quarter Master Serjeant 74th
Bengal Native Infantry.
B. Serjeant Major was indeed normally a rank reserved for European NCO's.
Havildar Major was the Indian equivalent. Especially assuming that his name
was a European one, he would not be considered fully native Indian. My guess
is that 'Native of India' meant that he was born there. The date is not
mentioned but, if in the very late 19th or 20th century, he might have been
Anglo-Indian.
Good Hunting!
Peter Bailey
Chairman
Families in British India Society
www.fibis.org