Interact with the Anglo-Indian Project

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Five months since the adventure to Bombay provided the exciting discoveries of Frederick Augustus Murray (1875-1927) and Cecilia Veera Hassett Murray (1909-1913) and the discovery of new people (records) continues. The marriage record of Frederick and Sarah Ann Blakeman (1899) revealed both of their father’s names; James Alexander Murray and George Blakeman. A search for James Alexander Murray produced his marriage record to Susan Ann Vanderputt in 1867:

This marriage record revealed: 

1. Marriage date: 13 August 1867
2. Marriage location: Bombay (church unclear)
3. Ages: James Alexander: of full age, Sarah Ann: 16 (generally: Full = 21 and over, Minor = under 21)
4. Condition: James Alexander: Widower, Sarah Ann: Spinster
5. Profession: Guard G.L.O. Railway
6. Residence: James Alexander: Poona. Sarah Ann: Poona
7. Father’s names: John Thomas Murray and John Vanderputt

Confirmation of the marriage of James and Sarah Ann on 13 August 1867, in Bombay. Both residing in Poona, Bombay. James is recorded as ‘of full age’, generally meaning 21 or over, and Sarah Ann as 16 years old. James’s profession is stated as a Guard in G.L.O Railway, and the search continues for his previous wife, as he is recorded as a widower. Both father’s of the couple are named here too, which has provides new lines of exploration – perhaps unsurprisingly they are both named John. 

Most fascinating about this record is Sarah Ann’s surname: Vanderputt. The origins of this name suggest it is from the Netherlands. Which makes sense, as the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) – the Dutch East India Company – were also present in India during the Portuguese and British occupations of the country. More on this to come.

The snowball effect of discovering records following the trip to India in 2016 doesn’t end here.

Interact with the Anglo-Indian Project

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