Reference Material
In this page we look at the references made to the de Fonseka families in books, articles and records of yesteryear. These have been the main references for this web site and will be useful for anyone researching their own de Fonseka roots. The wealth of information recorded here gives more than a glimpse into our ancestors. At most times it confirms and corroborates the details listed elsewhere in this web site, and throws out interesting details of our forefathers.
The
Karava of Ceylon - Society and Culture' M. D. Raghavan, Emeritus
Ethnologist, National Museums of Ceylon, K. V. G. de Silva 1961
This book provides the main background to this website, to the de Fonsekas and the Karava as a whole. In fact this website revolves around the genealogy chart found in this book, which allows us to trace our ancestry back to around 1658. The karava early history and the recent histories given in the Karava page is also based on the material found in this book.
Michael Roberts in his book 'Caste Conflict and Elite Formation' states that this book was sponsored by a number of Karava rich. S. R. de Fonseka was one such karava who helped Raghavan with material for the research work to produce the book. This was published by another Karava, K. V. G. de Silva.
While other books relate to a specific colonial period, this book traces the very origins of the Sri Lankan Karava from the time of the 'Mahabharata' to the British Periods. It also lists important reference material relating to the de Fonseka and D'Andrado families. All such references could be looked at by clicking the picture. The genealogy chart is given in the ancestry page.
De
Fonseka Families of Kalutara (Ceylon) by Samson Abeyesooriya, Independent
Press.
This rare booklet was in the possession of Michael Roberts, Historian and
Author who has done much research on the Social History of Ceylon. A scholar of
repute, he has written numerous articles and many books on this subject. His
book 'Caste Conflict and Elite Formation' is featured elsewhere in this page.
The Author now domiciled in Australia handed over his copy to Dr. Srilal
Fernando, a fellow Genealogist, who has kindly lent a copy to this website. My
thanks to both Michael Roberts and Dr. Srilal Fernando.
From the contents of the booklet, it can be approximately dated to the early 1940's. It can also be assumed that Mr. Samson Abeyesooriya wrote a series of books on prominent Ceylonese families of that time, and that this booklet was part of this series.
The booklet is reproduced in its original form, unedited and in it's entirety.
The D’Andrado Manuscripts
- The D’Andrado Papers
(Volume No. 3210, Dutch Records) is an interesting collection of legal and
administrative documents of the 17th and early 18th
centuries, that refer to the D’Andrado and De Fonseka families of Kalutara.
They consist of deeds and certificates, petitions and counter petitions, minutes
by the Governor and reports from executive officers of the Dutch period.
The D’Andrado Papers and a collection of other references to these two families were brought together and translated by Mr. J. H. O. Paulusz, who was Government Archivist, from 1940 to 1958. This was subsequently published in the Sri Lanka Archives Journal Vol. II of 1984. For the first time these important historical documents has been brought online within the following pages. The documents and references mentioned in this publication have all been examined and authenticated by the Government Archivist. This publication also contains a list of family documents in the possession of Mr. S. R. de Fonseka, which were submitted to the Historical MSS Commission. The Historical Manuscripts commission was appointed in 1931 by H. E. Sir H. Stanley, Governor of Ceylon.
'20th Century
Impressions of Ceylon', Arnold Wright, 1907, Lloyd's Greater Britain
Publishing Co.
A veritable Who's Who of the early part of the Century and a much valued book, this is the only book to have pictorial references to our ancestors. The references to de Fonseka families have been scanned and included. This book contains the cream of the society at that time. Michael Roberts analyzed the cast composition of the people listed in this book, and concluded that the 35.8% identified as Karava, is far in excess of the representation in the islands population. First edition copies of this book sells for over 150,000 Rupees.
Has pictorial References to S. R de Fonseka, E. C De Fonseka and many references to other de Fonsekas.
'Nobodies
to Somebodies - The Rise of the Colonial Bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka' by Kumari
Jayawardena, 2000, Social Scientists' Association and Sanjiva Books. ISBN
955-9102-26-5.
Gives a detail account of the rise of the Karava during the sweeping economic changes of the 19th and the early part of the 20th century, and traces the rise of a karava elite through their involvement in the liquor industry, rents and plantations. The karava history relating to this period given in the Karava page elsewhere is based on the material in this book and that of Michael Roberts.
Contains references to E. C. de Fonseka and the de Fonseka families in general.
THE
CHIEFTAINS OF CEYLON by J. C. Van Sanden, Vice-Counsel for the Republic of
Poland (Ceylon), first published 1936. Foreword by Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike.
Reprint 1994 ISBN 81-7013-124-3
This book records the names and careers of the Chieftains of Ceylon who held office under the Dutch and British governments. The system of governing their possessions through Mudaliyars was adapted by the Dutch, from a scheme of administration which originated before the Portuguese times, and continued through to the later parts of the British rule.
Contains references to Manuel de Fonseka, Johannes de Fonseka, S. R. de Fonseka and many others, including a reference to one Don Pedro as Manuel D'Andrado's father.
A
Description of the Isle of Ceylon by Rev Philip Baldaeus.
Printed at Amsterdam, 1672. This edition
first published in London, 1732. Translated from the high-Dutch. The English
translation is included in Churchill's 'A Collection of Voyages and Travels'
Volume 3.
Contains the earliest known references to a de Fonseka, that of Michael de Fonseka. Baldaeus was the Dutch Chaplain in Ceylon 1656-1665, and accompanied Van Goens expedition to Jaffna in 1658, and seems to know Don Manuel D'Andrado and Don Michael de Fonseka personally. This book describes in detail the capture of Jaffna by the Dutch and local militia, which included Manuel D'Andrado and Michael de Fonseka. It also has a graphic account of the subsequent Coup in the Jaffna Fort, and the hanging of the perpetrators. This event is the background to the 'Poothathampi' episode involving Manuel D'Anderado, and the beautiful wife of Mudaliyar Poothathampi of Jaffna.
Yalpana
Vaipava Malai or the History of the Kingdom of Jaffna. 1879 Colombo Reprint
1999 ISBN 81-206-1362-7.
Translated from the Tamil prose by C. Brito of manuscripts written somewhere around 1736. Includes a detailed account of the 'Poothathampi' episode involving Don Manuel D'Andrado and the murder of a Tamil Mudaliyar. Don Manuel D'Andrado fell in love with his wife. This story is told in a subsequent Nadagam (play) that was made in Jaffna, and is one of the oldest Tamil plays performed in the nadagam style. This episode was hotly debated even as late as the 1940s and included within these pages are some pamphlets and newspaper clippings from 1941.
Notes on Jaffna John. H. Martyn
American Ceylon Mission Press, Tellippalai, Ceylon 1923
This book chronologically lists the events connected with Jaffna from 1505 onwards. It also lists details of some of the prominent families of Jaffna at that time. The entire appendix of this book is dedicated to an in depth analysis of the 'Poothathampi' episode involving Don Manuel D'Andrado and the Tamil Mudaliyar Poothathamby. This also lists all the references made to this episode in historical documents.
This is the most detailed analysis of this story ever. It dissects, analyses and lays to rest all arguments made by the various writers.
Caste Conflict and Elite Formation, The Rise of the Karava Elite in Sri Lanka
1500
- 1931. Michael Roberts 1982, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. ISBN
81-7013-139-1
The karava history relating to the period pre 1830 and post 1830 given in the 'K is for Karava' page elsewhere, is based on the material in this book and that of Kumari Jayawardena.
Social Change in Nineteenth Century Ceylon. Patrick Peebles. 1995, Navrang
ISBN 81-7013-141-3.
This book by Peebles examines the social and economic changes spanning the nineteenth century with special emphasis on the Singhalese Elite (the Mudaliar class) and how caste, kinship, service tenures and land control interacted with their duties as colonial administrators. This book contains an extensive analysis of nineteenth century Land Tenures, Grants and the sale of Crown Lands.
Contains references to Reynaldus D'Andrado, Cornelis and Johannes de Fonseka, Carolis de Fonseka, S. R. de Fonseka and Manuel de Fonseka.
The Dutch Wars with Kandy
Major R. Raven-Hart
This extremely rare book, Bulletin No 6
in the Ceylon Historical Manuscript Commission series, deals with
the Dutch wars which took place with the rulers of Kandy. The book describes the
events that took place in about 15 pages of narrative detail, and includes a
collection of letters, minutes, and extracts of correspondence from
the Hague Archives and other sources. This book contains a detail analysis of
the campaigns, troop movements etc and contains references to Francisco Lowe, Simon de Melho
of the Tamel family and Gerrit Tissera.
Kurukula
Charithaya II
A. S. F. Weerasuriya, 1961
Translations of extracts taken from this great book on the Kurukula or the Karava people of Ceylon.
Sir Paul E. Pieris - Some Notable Singhalese Families
In a series of books written about Notable Singhalese Families of the 18th Century, Sir Paul E. Pieris makes references to some family members.
This series of publications provide valuable information on the ancestors who worked on the Ceylon Civil Service. These extracts have been compiled from the bound volumes found at the Sri Lanka Archives.
The Ceylon Government Gazette was the official news organ of the Government which published all official announcements, news, government ruling and laws. These extracts have been compiled from the bound volumes found at the Sri Lanka Archives.