Hi everyone,
I've hit a bit of a brick wall and was wondering if anyone could help.
My family have roots in India from around 1770 up until the mid 1800's. I have managed to trace the family tree back to around 1790 but have become stuck.
I am stuck on a Nicholas Smith (born around 1785/1790) and his wife Mary Francis. Mary Francis is said to be either Indian or of Indian descent. I have a story provided by the Families in British India society that she had a child with Nicholas but due to not being Christian she was forced to live outside the fort. There are also stories in my family about having some connection to Spain (as well as having Indian blood).
I have tried many times to find information about Nicholas Smith and Mary Francis but so far have drawn a blank. I have looked on IGI and there is a Mary Ann Francisco born 1790 and baptised in 1809. This I feel, may be the correct Mary for several reasons; Nicholas and Mary have a child in 1811 called Jane Smith, it may be the case she was baptised so she could form a relationship with someone from the western countries? In addition Mary's fathers name is Francisco which would explain the Spanish connection.
I also came across a Nicholas Schmidt who was part of the Dutch East India company who would have fit the birth date of Nicholas Smith.
Of course this is just speculation and any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
