Website created 21st May 2000 last revised November 2023
Introduction
Welcome from myself, Kyle Joustra, and the International Ceylon Database.
If you are trying to learn about genealogy, how to go about finding more information then you have come to the right place. Genealogy should be a journey of discovery that is so much more than a name and a date, which by the end of it will give you a better understanding of history, culture, and your families movements through the passage of time.
Established in 1999, our Aim is to be of service to you through our accumulated documentation or by suggestions advising where you can look for further information. This database is also aimed to include all the people of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and the family lines prior to entering into Ceylon and after leaving Ceylon where possible. It also covers the character of the person and history of the time wherever possible.
Agnes Mignon Barber
(Young)
Database Statistics
159,000+ People, 55 Generations
16,000+ Surnames, 781,600+ Facts
20,300+ Places, 350+ Sources
52,000 Marriages
Agnes Mingon Barber
Generations
Hendrikus Derksen Great Great Grandfather
Born 4/2/1848 'The Fox'
Rudolf Joustra Father
Born 27/3/1937
Kyle Joustra
Agnes Mignon Crabtree
How it Started
My own research commenced when my grandmother passed away in December 1998. Many questions about my family were unanswered and I realised I was curious to find out more and the background behind the name. The snippets of information I had already, really stimulated my interest to better understand where my family came from and what role they had in a country called Ceylon.
Agnes Mignon Crabtree (nee Barber AKA Billie) was born in Kandy, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and passed away in Chadstone, Victoria, Australia, she was very much a part of the Dutch Burgher lineage and surname changes. As my understanding of Ceylon grew, so did the realisation that records and information were not only deteriorating but near impossible to obtain. This was in contrast to availability from the Australia, UK, or Holland.
For this reason I decided to link all the ‘trees’ and people of Ceylon that I come across, only using DBU Journals only as a starting point. I have now included details from DRC Wolvendaal Registries; various Books, (many old ones have a quantum of information) and genealogical and occupational information provided by numerous people it has been my pleasure to meet along the way.
If you’re looking for further information contact me at kylejoustra@ceylondatabase.net I will need what information you have, especially if not a common surname. To start with provide your mother and father’s full names both their parents names. The more information you provide, the more interesting the reports I can send back will be for you and the more it helps others entitled to the information. If you are able to provide information that is not of your line that is great, as it benefits others.
Genealogy on the Internet
With the internet being clogged with many and varied family trees, it is hard to know what is accurate and if your privacy or that of others is being respected.
Data breaches are ever increasing and whilst the intent of you may be honourable not everyone on the internet will do the right thing.
The Ceylon Database’s aim is to be as accurate as possible; to protect privacy; to provide concise reports outside the realm of the internet, for these reasons the Database is offline.
Because the database is linked to all families wherever established, it is a massive cross referencing tool
Long-term it will be available free to all via libraries and respected societies across the world.
Free eBook
Click on book Image adjacent to download
A Guide to genealogy that can applied to any Country
Updated 2018 with Addendum s 1,2,&3
My reason for writing this book is to help others in their family research, to inspire people to grow with their newfound knowledge, and create a story that they can be proud of and that others will equally enjoy.
The book reflects my research methods and shows how these have led to an amazing amount of information that I myself never thought was possible.
My research has taken me into countries like Canada, United States of America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.
Having trouble seeing the book? Google and download the latest free Adobe Acrobat Reader
Sources of Information Included
Origin before entering Ceylon (numerous instances going back prior to entry in Ceylon e.g. 1340 in Switzerland,Germany 840AD, England 1100 etc)
Occupation (Includes where known their pay and dates of various appointments)
Education (Includes Degrees, Diplomas where known)
Family Crests
Journals of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society
Lapidarium Zeylanicum Monumental Inscriptions (100% entered including Coat of Arms)
Military Information (Details on Rank and combat roles where known) UPDATED
Individual Notes and other relevant information
Marriage date/place (Churches, Registries etc indicated whenever possible)
Complete Set of Dutch Burgher Union Journals (100 % entered with 99% corrections)
Dutch Reformed Church Wolvendaal Registries (96% entered)
Tamil Families of Achchuvely (100% entered)
Tombstones and Monuments (100% entered)
Immigration including ship if known and destinations UPDATED
Ceylon Literary Register II, III & IV 1887-1890
Civil Lists of 1901, 1922, 1928, 1946
Dutch Archival Records 1877-1983 & 1989 (100% entered)
VOC Acts of Appointments 1645-1796 UPDATED
VOC Shipping Records reflecting many founders UPDATED
British War Records, lists of appointments and Regimental History
Supreme Court Records
The Times of London Newspapers, Straits, Herald Sun and numerous Newspapers including Trove
Continuation of the line after Ceylon (e.g. Singapore, Malaysia, Malacca, Indonesia, South Africa, England, USA,Canada or Australia)
Images (requests need to be made)
Numerous Church Records (Baptisms,Weddings and Burials)
Burial Search Records
Other Sources (Many individual contributions which are too numerous to list)
Churches, Educational Facilities, Hospitals
Where to from here?
I can provide a ‘Bloodline (Ancestor) Report’ and is subject to one *condition. To get an example of what the report looks like click the MY TREES menu button. Fees for information are done based on the amount of information I have and I can give you an indication in our discussions. These Fees are purely to cover my time and are not geared to be a money making exercise. If it is only a couple of names or a piece of information, I am happy to provide free of charge, providing I have the relevant information you’re looking for and you agree to the *condition.
* Condition
These reports are for yourself and your immediate family they are not for internet forums or websites and includes your responsibility not to pass on to others whom may use for the before mentioned reasons. This does not stop the desire for the information to be used for a physical book and if in doubt please seek permission. The reason for this condition is to protect the privacy of yourself and other living people; it limits misrepresentation of information; and most importantly stops people from grabbing information without contributing information helpful to everyone. Failure to comply with the condition will result in cancellation of your ability to receive future updates and new information discovered, and may result in legal action by The International Ceylon Database or other individuals.
©2023 The International Ceylon Database, all images and data contained on it have all rights reserved.
Information obtained on families is for the sole private use of the recipient and neither for internet use of internet publication.
If copied, this copyright notice must appear with the information.
All efforts are made to protect people’s privacy and rules of email etiquette are followed. Email addresses are not given to others without the consent of the person/s affected.