Mauritius Colonial Records

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Dutch Colonization (1638-1710)[edit | edit source]

In 1638, the Dutch established a settlement in Mauritius. The Dutch abandoned Mauritius in 1710.[1]

Record collection Years covered Record type Language Who is in the records

French Colonization (1715-1810)[edit | edit source]

France took control of Mauritius in 1715 and renamed it the Isle de France. Except for a short time during the French Revolution, the Isle de France was governed by officials appointed by the French government. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Isle de France surrendered to the British.[2]

Record collection Years covered Record type Language Who is in the records
Recensements des colonies françaises 1735-1809 Census French People who lived in the French colony of Mauritius during this time
Inventaire des registres paroissiaux de l'Ile de France (Ile Maurice) : Compagnie des Indes, 1722-1767 1722-1767 Church Records French These are extracts from parish registers for Mauritius, so if your ancestor lived on the island during French colonization, they may be in here.

British Colonization and Independence (1810-1992)[edit | edit source]

Great Britain gained control of the Isle de France during the Napoleonic Wars in 1810, and changed the name back to Mauritius. In 1968, Mauritius gained Independence, although Queen Elizabeth II remained the head of state as Queen of Mauritius. In 1992, Mauritius became a republic in the Commonwealth of Nations.[3]

Record collection Years covered Record type Language Who is in the records
The Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC), 1384-1858 1810-1857 Wills English Until 1858, all wills had to be proved by the church and other courts. Most of the individuals in these records were relatively wealthy.
British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, COUNTRY at Findmypast - index & images ($) 1811-1998 Births and baptisms English Children born to those working within the armed forces, merchant navy, and consular forces, as well as, civilian ship passengers.
British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, COUNTRY at Findmypast - index & images ($) 1825-1975 Banns and marriages English British armed forces members and civilians who were married abroad and at sea
British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, COUNTRY at Findmypast - index & images ($) 1825-1994 Deaths and burials English Members of the British armed forces who died while serving their country overseas, British civilians who died while traveling or working overseas, and individuals (including seaman) who died at sea.
British Civil Service Evidence Of Age at Findmypast - index ($) 1821-1928 Civil Service applications and paperwork English Individuals who worked for, or applied to join, the British Civil Service.
UK, Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects, 1628-1969, COUNTRY at Ancestry - index ($) 1890-1919 Birth, baptism, marriage, death, and burial records English Records in this collection come from a variety of sources. Events include both British and non-British nationals
British Colonial Dependencies, Slave Registers, 1813-1834 at Ancestry - index & images ($) 1817-1834 Slave registers English Register of inhabitants of British Colonies that were "lawfully enslaved." This register was used to prevent illegal trafficking after the abolition of the slave trade in Britain.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Wikipedia contributors, "Mauritius," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritius#British_Mauritius_(1810%E2%80%931968), accessed 25 July 2019.
  2. Wikipedia contributors, "Mauritius," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritius#British_Mauritius_(1810%E2%80%931968), accessed 25 July 2019.
  3. Wikipedia contributors, "Mauritius," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritius#British_Mauritius_(1810%E2%80%931968), accessed 25 July 2019.