Available Records for Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka

Kim Meadows

I am researching my father's paternal line. They lived in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Malaya (Malaysia) in the mid 1800s to mid 1900s. I am not having much success finding records. I live in California and therefore am searching online. I have also emailed several churches, archives, societies, etc. in those areas, but I am not getting much help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Kim M.

PABulfinch

Hi, Kim:

One of our favorite places is the Wiki in FamilySearch.org.

Here is the link to Malaysia Genealogy records in the Wiki https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Malaysia_Genealogy.

Here is the link for Sri Lanka Genealogy records in the Wiki https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Sri_Lanka_Online_Genealogy_Records

We would appreciate it if you would keep us informed of your progress/frustrations. We are a great cheerleader during those times of frustrations as well as success. We are hopiing for success, of course.

Hoping others will add additional comments. PaulaAnn

Kim Meadows

@PABulfinch and @Ruth L Hanson

Thank you very much for welcoming me. My father is Kenneth Wessley Herft Sr. He was born in New York in 1938. His father was Herbert Handfil Herft, born 12 Dec 1910 (or 1908) in Kuala Pilah, Sembilan, Malaya (Federated Malay States) who arrived in New York 1 Mar 1925 aboard the "Silvercedar" where he was employed as a "Pantry Boy". He stayed in the USA the rest of his life and died 30 Jul 1987 in New York. I have much well documented information on my grandfather, Herbert, here in the USA. The information I am seeking is about his life and family in Malaya and Ceylon. Most importantly, I am trying to identify Herbert's father. Between my genealogical and genetic research, I have narrowed it down to one of two brothers, George Thomas Herft (1865-1927) or Eugene Henry Theodore Mylius Herft (1866-1909). Both born in Columbo, Ceylon.

I believe I have exhausted available online records (i.e. FamilySearch Wiki links, NewspaperSG, Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon, British Newspapers, The Kabristan Archives, Straits Settlements Law Reports). I am hoping someone might be aware of a little known treasure trove of vital records :)

Again, thank you for any and all help,

Kim