WHO do you think you are?

A familiar question which, if you say it that way, is likely to recall scenes of childhood chastisement, run-ins with authority and, worryingly, an annoying catchy hit from the Spice Girls circa 1997. For growing numbers of people, however, the question has led them back in time to uncover family history and, in the process, clues to their own identities. Spurred on by easy access to Internet-based information and the desire to find our place in the global village, armchair genealogy has become one of the fastest growing hobbies in the world.

Celebrities have also fuelled the obsession for looking into the past: Oprah’s much publicised search for her `roots’ led her to the Kpelle people of Liberia, dispelling her rather overzealous claims that she is from Zulu descent. The BBC documentary Who Do You Think You Are? has traced several celebrity family trees including Graham Norton’s and Nigella Lawson’s and our very own local version of the documentary will uncover genealogies of quite a few familiar faces. For whatever reason, genealogy is an important study. It’s about preserving stories and memories that are at risk of being lost over time. It’s about bearing witness and discovering shared histories from those who have come before us.

WHY TRACE DEAD PEOPLE?

Historically, genealogy was a necessary discipline. For nobility, compiling very detailed and accurate records was absolutely essential to determine inheritance and ensure that the correct heir would inherit

the throne. Today, genealogy still has a practical purpose beyond collecting the names of relatives and gluing them onto a cardboard family tree.

Heather MacAlister, who is the channel manager of Ancestry24, lists some of the main reasons why people look into their family histories. The first is the search for a long-lost family member. There are countless stories of families being torn apart by circumstances beyond their control and how genealogical tracking plays a decisive role in helping to bring people back together.

An even more common reason is the pursuit of an ancestral visa. Many young South Africans hold out on the possibility of an elusive family connection in a foreign land in order to make their own passage across as effortless as possible.

Another important and perhaps not widely known reason is to trace a hereditary disease. Nthati Moshesh, Scandal! actress who took part in the South African version of Who Do You Think You Are?, can vouch for this: `During the show I learnt that I inherited a mild form of asthma which dates back to my elders. Also, part of my family’s blood trail carries diabetes. Knowing that now, I can keep healthy.’

Other less serious motives to look into the past are to prove a family legend true, to know who all your living relatives are or to find out if there is any sort of relation to a famous historical figure. In her research, MacAlister has made some interesting discoveries: Hugh Grant’s grandfather, Major Grant, was born in South Africa and his family can be traced back to the 1700s in the Cape. Who knows, you too could be related to Hollywood royalty!

IT’S IN THE ROOTS

Starting a family history can become a deeply personal experience. History that is taught has its limits as it doesn’t necessarily reveal what makes each of us different and unique. Piecing together the puzzle of a family history can, and may, result in an unexpected journey of self-discovery. In literature, from the early quest fables to the modern bildungsroman (a protagonist embarking on a journey that results in illumination and discovery), it is understood that going on a journey, particularly into the past, is a necessary process when searching for identity. In other words, uncovering historical roots is essential for an enlightened existence.

In our chaotic, modern world people are constantly searching for meaning and looking into the past as a means of uncovering it. Dion Chang, ELLE’s fashionista at large, who also took part in the local documentary, says: `We are so preoccupied with chasing ahead and embracing the new, that we forget that the strength of the springboard that propels us forward usually lies hidden in the past. It is not essential to understand your past and the journey of your roots, but once you do, it provides a much clearer perspective to navigate the road ahead. In essence, it is just a much stronger base from which to view your life.’

We are all inextricably linked to stories from the past and with our melting pot of cultures and influences in South Africa, the psychology of finding `roots’ seems particularly relevant. Although I am 100 percent South African, my story is multi-layered and begins in Lebanon with chapters in France, Ireland and Wales. I think that finding out where I came from is essential in knowing who I am. And the journey, I believe, will end in profound insight.

HOW IS IT DONE?

Tracing family histories has become easier. The Internet has helped with enormous amounts of information available online. MacAlister says that if you can’t find what you want online the information in the public domain is housed in various National Archives repositories around South Africa: Department of Home Affairs, Master of the High Courts, libraries, museums and the Deeds Office to name a few. (There are also researchers who’ll do the work on your behalf — see Practically Speaking, opposite.) Before visiting any of these places, though, start by constructing your own family tree and work backwards systematically (Ancestry24.com has a beginner’s guide which you can download).

Before writing this story I had delusions of grandeur about my own family tree. I come from quite a diverse background: my mother is half Irish, half Lebanese and born in Wales, her mother was number fourteen of fifteen siblings (all scattered around Lebanon) and my father, though South African, has both Welsh and French ancestry. I thought I would simply interview a few family members, gather the necessary information and instantly be connected to long lost relatives from around the globe. Ha!

It is a project that could take years depending on how far back into the past I want to go. I was pointed in the direction of Geni (www. geni.com) to help me construct my family tree. It’s quite a find: easy to navigate, no subscription fees to join and no paper or glue needed! After uploading my immediate family’s details, an email was sent to them saying I requested their inclusion on my family tree. Once they accepted, they could take part in updating the tree and invite relatives to do the same.

There is always one family member who seems destined to spearhead the ancestry project and that role immediately became my sister’s, who approached the assignment with gusto — phoning and emailing family members who could provide information to allow the tree to grow. Compiling this family tree has not only got most of my relatives talking but has brought about a sense of family pride: a connection to the past as well as a connection to each other has further strengthened the bonds that already exist.

At the time of writing, all fourteen of my grandmother’s siblings have been added (thanks to my eager cousin Fred who has diligently updated the tree), my father’s grandfather’s branch of the tree is complete and there are several offshoots of other family branches of distant relatives who are also updating their own family trees. I have dubbed Geni `Facebook for the family’ because that is exactly what it is — there’s a home page where updates of `Family News’ are posted, there’s statistics on how people are related and it connects people from all over the world.

As a child, I remember hearing stories from my grandmother about her childhood and still today there is a familiar feeling of magic and nostalgia when I think about it. Geni has opened up the possibility of connecting to the past and allowing these family members from my imagination to come alive through an actual connection to them. Sure, it is not going to be an easy or quick journey (and other sources will be necessary) but it is one that I enthusiastically embark upon knowing that this broad and labyrinthine process is burgeoning with possibility. ?

What did these celebrities Learn from the experience?

‘It helped me answer a whole lot of unanswered questions about my family’s past (my father’s side of the family have lived in SA for a century already) as well as appreciate the strength, perseverance — and especially sacrifices — they had to make, to build a better life for themselves… and ultimately for me. It was a humbling experience. I also learnt how my family story was intertwined with history (the cultural revolution in China, Japanese invasion in World War II etc). Ultimately, I also learnt to appreciate my South African heritage through my Chinese roots. I now classify myself as a global citizen, but proud South African. – Dion Chang

‘I learnt that everybody has a rich history no matter who you are. I learnt that I had an uncle who loved Shakespeare and I love the performing arts, so in some in sense I followed in his footsteps although he wasn’t an actor by profession. In our personal traits we are genetically connected to our ancestors. One either makes way for it or embraces it.’ — Nthati Moshesh

Written by Michael Owen

Elle Magazine October 2009

If you live in KwaZulu-Natal and you want to trace your family tree your first port of call should be the Pietermaritzburg Archives Repository.

“There is a notion that the archives are elitist, but they are accessible to everyone and we can offer a service in the three languages of the province — Zulu, Afrikaans and English,” says Pieter Nel, assistant manager: Repository Management, Department of Arts and Culture at the Pietermaritzburg Archives Repository in Pietermaritz Street.

“The majority of our users are people­ who are interested in family history,” says Nel. “Sometimes people think it’s a case of coming in and we can just give them their family history. We can’t, I’m afraid, but we can give them pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.”

You might find several pieces of the jigsaw in the deceased estate files.

“In these you find death notices and these can give you a variety of information — the person’s occupation, the names of spouses, parents, and children. We have these files from 1846 up to 1974. You can search our database on the website to see if we have any records.”

The repository holds these documents thanks to an arrangement with the Master of the High Court, which is the office of origin. A similar arrangement with the Department of Home Affairs sees the repository holding birth, marriage and death registers for certain districts in the province. “These are not on the website so you have to physically go there and do research,” says Nel.

If your ancestor was an immigrant the European Immigration Records can also be of help. “But these are only for people who came on assisted passages. In the 19th century there were several immigration schemes to get people to come to the colony of Natal. We have registers of all those but not of everyone who came to the province. But newspapers such as The Witness have shipping lists of new arrivals.”

Civil registration documents, church and cemetery registers held by the repository can also be useful plus you can obtain a copy of the booklet Leafing Out Your Family Tree compiled by Nel, which provides a step by step guide to tracing your family tree as well as explaining exactly what is in the repository and how you can best access information.

“But you have to do your homework before you come,” cautions Nel. “Have discussions with family members, make sure that names are correct. You won’t get very far with a nickname.”

Over the years there has been an ongoing interest in family history according to Nel.

“But there was a peak several years back when people were trying to find out if they were eligible for United Kingdom ancestral visas — they had to be able to prove that a grandparent was born in the UK.

These days we also get a lot of overseas e-mails from expats trying to trace family origins.”

Nel acknowledges it is “more challenging” for black people to trace family history via written records but there are deceased estate files for blacks. These were compiled by magistrates and Native Affairs Commissioners and predominantly relate to rural people.

“If your relative was a mineworker and that relative died in Johannesburg, the record would come back to the person’s province of origin and be sent to the local magistrate or commissioner,” explains Nel.

The Pietermaritzburg Archives Repository also holds archives of the Indian Immigration Department which include marriage registers (1891 to 1963) and deceased estate files (1900 to 1961).

The registers of Indentured Indian Immigrants (1860 to 1911) are held by the Durban Archives Repository. These archives are often used by Indian South Africans who apply for a Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card, which permits people with Indian ancestry to live and work in India on a permanent basis.

“People like to connect to their roots but it’s also important to see how history can have a practical application,” says Nel.

Acknowledgement: Natal Witness + Stephen Coan

Where do I find Marriage Records in South Africa?

The initial starting point to get a copy of a marriage certificate is:

• The Master of the High Court or the Church, Mosque or Synagogue where the marriage took place.
• The Department of Home Affairs and for older marriages the National Archives.
• Below is a list of Marriage records

• Cullinan Marriages
• St. Georges Cathedral Cape Town Marriages
• St. Georges Cathedral Military Marriages 1811 – 1829
• All Saints Somerset West Marriages
• Free State Marriages
• Grahamstown Cathedral Marriages
• Mixed marriage records
• Methodist Marriages
• Namaqualand Banns
• Namaqualand Marriages
• St. France’s Simon’s Town Grooms Index
• St. Francis Simon’s Town Brides Index
• St. Francis Simons Town Marriages
• St. John’s the Evangelist Marriages Cape Town 1853 – 1925
• St. Mary’s Barkly West Marriages
• St. Mary’s Cathdedral Johannesburg Marriages 1887 – 1895
• St. Mary’s Port Elizabeth Marriages
• St. Olav’s Marriages Durban 1890 – 1979
• St. Paul’s Rondebosch Marriages 1929 – 1955
• St. Peters Mossel Bay Marriages 1855 – 1879
• St. Stephen’s Marriages Paarl 1876 – 1909
• Swellendam Anglican Marriages 1850 – 1887
• Wynberg Methodist Baptisms 1836 – 1910

Department of Home Affairs

For these certificates you will need to apply+ to the Department of Home Affairs, the official holding office for South African  marriages. Applications should be lodged at your nearest Home Affairs office if applying from within South Africa. If living abroad, you should contact the nearest South African Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. Always request a full, unabridged vault copy. There is no public access at all to the marriages registers or indexes held at the Department of Home Affairs.

When contacting the Department of Home Affairs

Expect delays as they are very understaffed. Average waiting time is three months.
Take down the details of any official you deal with.
Supply an ID number for the person whose certificate you wish to obtain to speed up the process.
There is a charge of R45.00 per item.

National Archives

The National Archives is the custodian for marriage certificates on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs up to the early 1970′s. A closed period of 20 years is applicable for access to  Marriages records.

Below is a table for commencing dates for the registration of  marriages in the various old provinces:

These indexes and registers are heavy and cumbersome. You will first need to know exactly which magisterial district the event took place before you can request the index. These indexes are not made available electronically, but the Western Cape indexes can be searched on Ancestry24. The Home Affairs Western Cape Index (HAWC) is housed in the Cape Town Archives as are the Home Affairs Eastern (HAEC) and  Home Affairs Northern Cape (HANC).

How to search for marriage certificates in the Archives

As an example, if someone was married in Cape Town you will need to check places like Cape Town Central, Wynberg, Docks, Green Point, See Point, Woodstock, Observatory etc – all separate registers. To find the marriage certificate of an individual you will need to first consult the index to the marriages in the area in which it was registered, e.g. Worcester. The earliest reference number begins with 1/3/57/4/1 – which covers 1895 to June 1905.

Once you have got the register 1/3/57/4/1 you will need to look for the dates between 1895 – 1905 for that marriage registration.
The size of the initial index will depend on how many volumes of registers.
Some of these books are very large and the pages are difficult to photograph because of the size. They are on the top floor of the archives. First make sure you get your volume numbers correct before you attempt to order any of these books. Once ordered, be prepared for a very long wait.

Black marriages

Records of black marriages can be found under the Superintendent of Native Affairs in the Cape Town Archives covering the years 1877 – 1900.

Other resources

• Anglican Church Archives at the William Cullen Library at Wits
• Methodist Church Archives at the Cory Library at Rhodes University
• Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town