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The extent of the immigration of Germans to the Cape during the period of the Dutch East-India Company has not yet been satisfactorily dealt with. Colenbrander’s calculations in his “De Afkomst der Boeren” are unreliable. They are based on C. C. de Villiers’ “Geslacht-Register”, a work which, notwithstanding its merit, is incomplete and in many ways inaccurate. The only works which have so far specifically dealt with the Germans at the Cape are those of Schmidt (“Der Kulturanteil der Deutschen am Aufbau des Burenvolkes”, by Werner Schmidt Pretoria ; Hannover, 1938) and of Moritz (“Die Deutschen am Kap unter der holländischen Herrschaft 1652-1806” by Eduard Moritz, Weimar, 1938). They, however, include the personalia of only a limited number of Germans.

In the present publication an attempt is made to give a complete list of those Germans who came to the Cape in the service of the Company during the period 1652 till 1806 and settled here, either remaining in the Company’s service or making a living in one or other capacity after being discharged. Most of the data under each name have been gathered from the various manuscript sources in the Government Archives in Cape Town and the Archives of the Dutch Reformed Church. Relative completeness has been obtained, the researches in connection with the subject covering a great number of years.

The Germans who came from Switzerland have been classified separately, as well as the women immigrants.

Take advantage of our special offer Christmas offer of R90.00 for six months – this special offer is ONLY valid on the 17th of December from 9 am until 21 December at 9 am. It entitles the user to unlimited access to all our databases and books for six months until June 2010. This fantastic offer is an ideal gift over the Festive Season for mother’s fathers, granny’s, grandpa’s or anyone that you know who has passion for history and digging up the past.

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Join SABC2 tonight at 7:30 when Meshack Mavuso goes back into time to trace his family history. This South African actor is best known for his role as Vusi Moletsane on the SABC3 soapie Isidingo.

He was also one of the celebrity dancers in the Strictly Come Dancing New Year Special, which was aired on SABC2 on 31 December, 2008 and his his dance partner was Robynn Soules.

CAPE TOWN FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

Beginning Your Family History – An Introduction

Workshops on Family History for Beginners

Intermediate Workshops on Selected Topics

Hermanus Workshops

Programme and registration forms are available on request from Lois Harley tel 021 797 6537

No more than 15 people will be booked on each course. Registration form and course fee must be received before the class commences.

The Society reserves the right to cancel a class if insufficient bookings are received or a venue should become unavailable for any reason.

Source: Cape Town Family History Society