The Western Cape Archives and Records Service invites you to join our celebration of National Archives Week at the Western Cape Archives and Records Service, located at 72 Roeland Street, Cape Town. National Archives Week offers a great opportunity for everyone to visit the archives and to learn about the importance of preserving our documented memory and its impact on our daily lives.

The special program for National Archives Week will run every day from Monday to Friday 08:00 – 15:00. The activities include guided tours of the building, video shows and exhibitions. The duration of the visit, which includes a tour of the building, will take approximately an hour.

In addition to the tours, a two-day workshop on paste paper making and basic bookbinding will be offered (17 – 18 May 2010); and the very popular workshop on researching your family history using the many documentary sources at the archives on 19 May 2010 from 8:30 – 12:00. Due to the intense one-on-one instruction required for both courses, participant numbers for the two workshops will be limited to 20 participants each. We recommend that bookings for both workshops be made well in advance, in order to avoid disappointment.

Our purpose is to make this event a learning experience for the public with our main goal to promote the use of archives by the general public and learners.

To book for the workshops contact the National Archives Cape Town  on: Tel: (021) 466 8100. Fax: (021) 465 2960

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

Biography of Ruda Wahl

Ruda was born on 18 November 1953 in Hartswater in the Northern Cape and was educated at Hartswater Primary School, Parow Central Primary, Keimoes High School and Upington High School, where she spent her final school years as a boarder. After matriculating she entered the Civil Defence College in George where she undertook voluntary military service for a year in one of the first women's army camps in South Africa.

In November 1977, she married JP Landman and begun her career as a TV newsreader in 1983. Her hobbies include r eading, movies, spending time with friends over good wine and good food and she, like many other South African women, belongs to a monthly book club. Ruda has one son Johannes Petrus who is 20 years old.

Ruda has few memories of her grandparents as most of them died when she was small. She remembers: "Oupa Gert" was my father and Oupa Wahl, his father, "Oupa Jonnie" as we called him, lived with us when I was little. He died when I was four. Unfortunately I don't remember much about him, but my dad talked about his family of course – I knew most of them, and so did my mum.

Oupa Wahl fought in the Anglo-Boer War as a young man and the legend was that he took so many Grandpa headache powders that his sleeping spot was surrounded by little pink papers in the morning. He also fought in the Rebellion – one of his sons (my uncle, my father's brother) was called Manie Maritz Wahl after General Manie Maritz.

Do you have any family heirlooms that belonged to your ancestors?

I have a handcarved wooden jewellery box. Written on the side is "From S van der Merwe T Miss G/T/C (very ornate) Verster Aandenking uit Tokai 1903". That would mean the jail after the Anglo Boer War. I don't know who made it, probably Schalk Willem Jacobus van der Merwe, my mother's grandfather. But who is the mystery Miss Verster? In 1903 he was a married man with children! And the jewellery box is in our family, i.e. his daughter inherited it. My brother has a hand-tied shawl and a little wooden chest from the same period.

Did any of your family members make an impact in your life and why?

I only knew my mother's father, Andries Petrus Viljoen. I lived with him and his sister (his wife died in childbirth in 1933) for a few months when I was nine, and we often visited them for holidays before and after that. He was "Oudad", devoted to his newspaper every evening, quietly comfortable with the neighbours we shared evening with. I was probably more affected by the place, the desert heat and simplicity, than by specific people.

What aspect of you family's history has fascinated or interested you the most?

The War and the Rebellion. I wish I could have talked to my grandfather about that.

Do you have a personal motto which you live by?

From Byron Katie: What is, is. Don't resist what is; don't waste energy on how other people should behave. Accept what is, and decide how you want to respond to it.

Memoirs of the Wahl Family

Stofvlei Farm, in the Magisterial District of Springbok, is where Gert Kotze Wahl was born. The old farm had a petrol pump and a post office. There were three buildings on the farm which included the house, the shop and about 300 metres west from the house was a third tin cottage. According to family legend Grandmother Gerrie's family (the Kotze's – had "money"). Initially grandmother Gerrie was the postmaster, and later it was Grandfather John. Grandpa John, who was General Maritz's attendant, promised him that he would name his next son after the General, and so the Manie Maritz name was brought into the Wahl family on 21 November 1914.

Naturally they were pro-German. Grandfather made a knives/forks bowl from wood in the Johannesburg Jail, as well as a tray. On the bowl it says: "Aan mijn lieve Vrouw van John, Johannesburg Tronk 28 Oktober 1915".

The Wahl's enjoyed playing Bridge and their ancestors were wagon makers. Grandfather John was an Elder in the N.G. Kerk in Loeriesfontein his entire life and the middle services, in-between Holy Communion, was always held on Stofvlei farm.

According to grandchild, Andries Wahl: "We knew grandfather as "Oupa Wahl" and all the other people I ever heard talking to or of him, used the diminutive – or in Afrikaans pronounced with a long "ô", or in English pronounced as "Johnny". During my stay in Keimoes I also managed an agency from the office in Pofadder, and there I dealt with 5 or 6 people who knew him. All of them added the "ie/y". A guy who rebelled against the English didn't want to be "John" if his name was "Adam Johannes".

Many of the area's children went to school at Nuwerus. The school lorry's destination, which was the transport of the area's schoolchildren to and from Nuwerus, was Stofvlei. Both Grandma and Grandpa Wahl's graves are in Stofvlei.

Grandfather Johnie had two sisters and as the family story goes there were two Wahl's that came from Germany. The one Wahl settled himself in Paarl and became Afrikaans and the other in Cape Town who became English – this part of the family included the well-known optometrist.

Grandfather Wahl's one sister married an Englishman, and grandfather never spoke to her again after that – remember it was the time of the Anglo-Boer War. I knew the other sister. She was Aunt Bettie Bodley and lived in Paarl. She had three daughters. Aunt Bettie's husband was Tom Boyley, but he died very young. The daughters were Hettie (her husband was a Van der Westhuizen, teacher at Boys High in Paarl), Magdaleen – married to a Hugo (English pronunciation), and Elise. Elise was a famous artist, especially for her sketches of wild flowers. She was married to Apie van Wyk, also an artist.

Grandfather John was a dignified, strict man with a good sense of humour who could always tell a good story – a trait that goes through all the Wahl's

Behind the scenes

Ruda Landman's birthplace in the dry and dusty town of Keimoes, in the Northern Cape, is a far cry from where her family's humble beginnings started in the lush and fertile valleys of Europe. From the Persecution of her family in France in the 1600's, her ancestry consists of a kaleidoscope of French refugees as well as Dutch and German Immigrants.

When the French Huguenots arrived at the Cape in 1688 as a closely linked group, in contrast to the Germans, they all lived together in Drakenstein, although they never constituted a completely united bloc; a number of Dutch farms were interspersed among them. Until May 1702 they had their own French minister, Pierre Simond, and until February 1723 a French reader and schoolmaster, Paul Roux. The Huguenots clung to their language for fifteen to twenty years; in 1703 only slightly more than one fifth of the adult French colonists were sufficiently conversant with Dutch to understand a sermon in Dutch properly, and many children as yet knew little or no Dutch at all. The joint opposition of the farmers toward W. A. van der Stel shortly afterwards brought the French more and more into contact with their Dutch neighbours; as a result of social intercourse and intermarriage they soon adopted the language and customs of their new country. Forty years after the arrival of the Huguenots, the French language had almost died out and Dutch was the preferred tongue.

In South Africa we are extremely lucky to have such superb and dedicated family historians, as well as exquisite records in our Archives, which begin prior to Jan Van Riebeeck landing at the Cape. Jan's diary of his voyage to South Africa is documented and stored in the Cape Town Archives.

This mammoth task of tracing Ruda's family tree in record time, was compiled to find out how far back the Wahl family and its branches can be traced as well as how many sets of grandparents can be found.  Click here to view Ruda's family tree.

The Wahl Family

Daniel Hendrik Wahl was born circa 1850 and research has proven that there is no legitimate documentation to prove his parentage. On the 17th February 1874, Daniel Hendrik applied for a special marriage license to marry Maria Catherina Reynecke.

Photographer of the Paarl: Daniel Hendrik Wahl's Insolvent Estate (In further documentation, and finding the Liquidation and Distribution account, it is noted that Daniel was known as the “Photographer of the Paarl and Wheelwright of Paarl” in 1883)

And in another image one section of the document refers to the surname as "de Wahl" and not "Wahl", which meant that one would now have to search under the many variants of including de Wahl, Waal and de Waal. Mr D.H Wahl's Insolvent Estate

Further documentation also mentions the "widow Reynecke" Elisabeth Wilhelmina Reynecke, which was his mother in law, as well as a Constant Wahl and Adam J Wahl who thus far cannot be linked to this immediate family as no parentage exists for Daniel. It is assumed that the two men mentioned are possibly brothers as they fit well with other documentation of the same period.

Unfortunately the common problem with variants of name spelling has been a classic example of the "brick wall" scenario, which has been encountered here thus the time limit on this research has been halted. The original Wahl Family whom Daniel Hendrik would have descended is (1) Johan(n) Christia(a)n Wahl, from Strelitz in Mecklenburg (Germany). Arrives here in 1752 as a soldier. Citizen in 1756. Married 10th September 1757 to Christina Gerrits, daughter of Herman Gerrits (2 children) or (2) Johan(n) Coenraad or Conrad Wahl, from Wildungen (Germany). Arrives here in 1774 as a soldier. Citizen in 1780. Died 15th October 1814. Married 12th November 1780 to Catharina Hilledonda van Dyk (7 children). Motto: Factis non verbis.

Most family pedigrees of this extent can take many years to complete and we at Ancestry24 have managed to go back 10 generations in two weeks.

A lineage and direct relation to South African actress Charlize Theron has also been illustrated and Ruda finds herself as the ½ 5th cousin to this Hollywood star.  Click here how Ruda and Charlize are related.

Jaques De Savoye

Jaques De Savoye (Ruda's 7 times great grandfather on her maternal side) was born in Ath, Belgium around 1636 and died in the Cape in October, 1717. He was a merchant and Cape free burgher and was the son of Jacques de Savoye and his wife, Jeanne van der Zee (Delamere, Desuslamer).

Jacques was a wealthy merchant in Ghent, Belgium, but his devotion to the Protestant religion led to his persecution by the Jesuits, and there was even an attempt to murder him. In 1687 he moved to the Netherlands and left for the Cape in the Oosterland on 29th January 1688. In addition to his wife, mother-in-law and three of his children, he was accompanied by the brothers Jean, Jacob and Daniel Nortier.

De Savoye soon became a leader among the French community at the Cape: he was one of the deputation which, on 28th November 1689, asked the Governor and Council of Policy for a separate congregation for the French refugees, and the following year he helped to administer the funds donated to the French refugees by the charity board of the church of Batavia. At various times he also served on the college of landdros and heemraden.

To begin with, Jacques farmed at Vrede-en-Lust at Simondium and in 1699 was also given Leeuwenvallei in the Wagenmakersvallei ( Wellington ), but settled at the Cape soon afterwards. He apparently experienced financial difficulties since in 1701 he owed the Cape church council 816 guilders and various people sued him for outstanding debts. In 1712 he described himself as being without means.

In March 1712 he left for the Netherlands in the Samson, accompanied by his wife and mother-in-law. He enrolled as a member of the Walloon congregation in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on 16th December 1714, but only four months later, on 20th April 1715, it was reported that he had returned to the Cape. There is, however no documentary proof of his presence neither at the Cape neither after 1715, nor in C.G. Botha's assertion that he died in October 1717.

De Savoye often clashed with other people. During the struggle of the free burghers against Wilhem Adriaen van der Stel, he was strongly opposed to the Governor and was imprisoned in the Castle for a time. He was also involved in a long-drawn-out dispute with the Rev. Pierre Simond, and he and Hercules des Pré went to court on several occasions to settle their differences.

He was married twice: first to Christiana du Pont and then to Marie Madeleine le Clercq of Tournai, Belgium, daughter of Philippe le Clercq and his wife, Antoinette Carnoy. Five children were born of the first marriage and three of the second. Three married daughters and a son remained behind at the Cape, as well as a son who was a junior merchant in the service of the V.O.C. and who died without leaving an heir.

Acknowledgements & Sources:

Ruda Landman
Gert Wahl
Keith Meintjies
National Archives Respository Cape Town
Dr Chris Theron
Janet Melville
Genealogical Institute in Stellenbosch
SAG Genealogies Volumes 1 – 13 www.gisa.org.za

Images Acknowledgement:

Images.co.za / Die Burger / Werner Hills; National Archives Respository Cape Town
Who's Who of Southern Africa (Ruda Landman)

You should find correspondence between the plaintiff and the applicant on the grounds of their divorce. Children's names are generally not mentioned but their ages are. Normally you will also find a copy of the marriage certificate, and sometimes birth certificates of children to prove their paternity in this folder.

Old divorce cases dating back more than 30 years are available in the National Archives repository. These documents are called "illiquid cases" – generally a copy of the marriage certificate is included.

Newer divorce records are held at the Provincial Master of the Supreme Court, in the province where the divorce took place.

Divorces are also published in the Government Gazettes.

NAAIRS (pronounce like “stairs”) is one of the most powerful research tools used in South African genealogy. Managed by the National Archives Repository in South Africa, the National Automated Archival Retrieval System provides a search facility to all the main repositories associated with the Archives.

Here you will be able to search for death notices, estate papers, wills, adoption papers, legal documents, coats of arms and much more. You will only, however, be able to see a set of reference numbers and a brief description of the documents concerned. You cannot view or order these documents, but will either have to write to the archives concerned, taking with you the reference numbers relating to the documents you require, or go in person.

Yes, but they are purely statistical and are destroyed. This means there is no Census Record that gives any information on ages, names or places.

Blue books and statistical Registers – part of the archives of the Colonial Office (CO) – are also in the Cape Town Archives and cover the years 1821-1889.
“Opgaafrollen” were used for tax purposes in the Cape and cover the period 1692 – 1845. These records counted the number of people in each household, number of servants, slaves, cattle. horses, sheep, leggers of wine, wheat and barley sown and how ironically many guns were owned as well. Look here to see if your family were on the 1760 Opgaaf

In the Orange Free State census reports were taken over different years, the first being 31 March 1880, then 1890 and finally 17 April 1904. These reports only have statistical information on birthplaces, ages, education, religions, occupations and illnesses of the province’s citizens. No other information is given.

Old voters’ rolls, some of which go back to 1876 in the Cape, also include the years 1878, 1884, 1888, 1889, 1893, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1907. These records give varying degrees of information depending on the areas and the years. Generally they only have surnames, first names, occupations and places of residence. These and later voters’ rolls can be consulted in the various Archival Repositories in the reference rooms. They are not available on the National Archives web site.

A list of Voters Roll can be found and searched on Ancestry24.

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

15 Generasies Mitochondriale DNA

Eva / Krotoa van die Kaap

Die publikasie van Dalene Matthee se Pieternella van die Kaap [1] en Dan Sleigh se Eilande [2] het wye publisiteit verleen aan die lotgevalle van Petronella en haar ma Eva/Krotoa, Jan van Riebeeck se pleegdogter en hottentoose tolckinne . Eva/Krotoa was lid van die Khoi-stam genaamd die Goringhaicona (of sg. Strandlopers), die eerste inheemse mense wat Jan van Riebeeck aan die Kaap teëgekom het. Wat minder bekend is, is dat baie Suid-Afrikaners van Petronella afstam, insluitend bekende genealoë soos Mansell Upham en Hans Heese [3] en ekself ook.

Kry nou jou DNA toets

Gedurende die opstelling van my kwartierstaat [4] het dit my opgeval dat my oor-oupagrootjie, Dirk Jacobus van Schalkwyk [5] (my Kekulé-nommer 49 [6]) se matriargale lyn van sy moeder Hilletje Smit (my Kekulé-nommer 99) direk gaan tot by Eva/Krotoa (my Kekulé-nommer 3199).

Daar het ook onlangs ‘n groot aantal publikasies verskyn [7] oor die rol van DNA-navorsing, veral die studie van mitochondriale DNA (mtDNA), in die bestudering van die moderne mens se herkoms.

In die lig van bostaande het ek besluit om te probeer om die matriargale afstammingslyn van Eva/Krotoa tot tans lewende vroue te probeer navolg. Die eerste sewe geslagte het ek gelukkig toe reeds tot my beskikking gehad. Dat ek dan hiper-polities-korrek sal wees as ek gelyktydig ‘n hou kan inkry teen rassisme én manlike chauvinisme was ‘n verdere aansporing!

Ten spyte van die groot aantal doodloopstrate waarin ek onvermydelik beland het, deur onvoldoende inligting in sterfkenisse en kerkregisters en die (skynbare of ware) uitsterwing van die vroulike lyn, het ek goeie vordering gemaak vir nog vier geslagte totdat ek my vasgeloop het in ‘n muur met die familie Ehlers/Eelders.

Toevallig blaai ek eendag in die boek [8] van Nico Walters, my oud-kollega en medelid van die Wes-Kaapse tak van die GGSA en merk op dat daarin ook Ehlerse voorkom. Toe ons op die saak ingaan, vind ons uit dat die persone na wie ek soek, onder sy oumagrootjie se nageslag val. (In sy eie tak het die vroulike Eva/Krotoa-lyn uitgesterf.) Gevolglik kon ek die ontbrekende skakels vind tot by lewende persone.

Hierdie matriargale lyn vanaf Eva/Krotoa tot tans oorlewendes verloop as volg:

Generasie I (Kekulé-nommers)

32767 Eva/Krotoa GORINGHAICONA *1643 x 02-05-1664
32766 Pieter van MEERHOFF *1637, aankoms 22/03/1659 vanaf Kopenhagen Denemarke

Generasie II

16383 Petronella van MEERHOFF x
16382 Daniël ZAAIJMAN vanaf Vlissingen Nederland, van Mauritius na die Kaap in 1705

Generasie III

8191 Magdalena ZAAIJMAN x
8190 Johannes BOCKELBERG *1668, † 1709, aankoms 1705 vanaf Kolberg Duitsland via Mauritius

Generasie IV

4095 Petronella BOCKELBERG *1698 Mauritius x 04/09/1712
4094 Coenraad Hendrik FEYT aankoms 1708 vanaf Alverdissen Duitsland

Generasie V

2047 Anna Catharina FEYT ~05/08/1714.x 14/01/1731
2046 Nicolaas LOUBSER ~05/07/1717

Generasie VI

1023 Maria Johanna LOUBSER ~11/04/1734 x
1022 François SMIT ~17/04/1729

Generasie VII

511 Hilletje (Helena) SMIT ˜ 04/06/1758, † 1816? x 09/02/1777
510 Gerrit (Dirkse) van SCHALKWYK ,~03/07/1744 Kaapstad +1806.

Generasie VIII

255 Maria Jacomina van SCHALKWYK *23/12/1777, ˜ 03/05/1778, Swartland x 13/11/1797
254 Johan Daniël EHLERS/EELDERS ˜ 04/09/1768.

Generasie IX

127 Petronella Elizabeth EHLERS/EELDERS ˜ 25/10/1807 x 8/04/1830
126 Christian STADLER ˜ 13/11/1803.

Generasie X

63 Maria Jacomina STADLER *02/07/1831, ˜ 23/10/1831 Kaapstad (Luthers), † 1908 x 04-04-1853
62 Johannes Jacobus van TUBBERGH *01/08/1817, † 1887.

Generasie XI

31 Petronella Elizabeth van TUBBERGH *19/02/1855 x
30 Andries Johannes EELDERS/EHLERS *13/04/1842 Malmesbury, ˜ 16/11/1845 Swartland, † 12/03/1929.

Generasie XII

15 Hilda Jacomina Gerrendina EELDERS/EHLERS *15/06/1876 x
14 Andries Johannes LAUBSCHER .

Generasie XIII

7 Petronella Elizabeth LAUBSCHER *16.07.1906 † 22.06.1991 x
6 Abraham Andries TRUTER *09.11.1902 †20.08.1961

Generasie XIV

3a Hilda Jacomina Gerrendina TRUTER *16-07-1933 Hermon
3b Engela Elizabeth Johanna (Ela) TRUTER verpleegster/sekretaresse, *17/10/1935 Hermon x
2b Stanley Peter COCKRELL verteenwoordiger, *Kaapstad.
3c Petronella Elizabeth TRUTER *13-02-1950 Wellington x
2c Hendrik Petrus Lodewyk MEYER *26.06.1943

Generasie XV

1b Lizette Rose COCKRELL verpleegster, * 23-09-1961 Pinelands, d.v. Stanley Peter COCKRELL en Engela Elizabeth Johanna TRUTER x 05-01-1991 Kaapstad David (Dave) ROBBINS rekenaar-programmeerder, * 10-12-1966.
1c Ronel MEYER * 13-02-1979 d.v. Petronella Elizabeth TRUTER en Hendrik Petrus Lodewyk MEYER .

Hierdie matriargale lyn is meer as ‘ n blote kuriositeit: dit het ook ander implikasies. Volgens genetici word die mitochondriale DNA (mtDNA), afkomstig van die ovum van die moeder, feitlik onveranderd van moeder na kind oorgedra, in teenstelling met die grootste deel van die menslike DNA wat in die kern van selle voorkom en wat bestaan uit ‘ n kombinasie van die DNA van beide ouers. Hoewel mtDNA blybaar tot ‘n geringe mate ook van die vader oorgeërf word kan word ( ‘ n verskynsel wat paternal leakage genoem word) [9] en deur spontane mutasies kan verander, is die analise van mtDNA nogtans ‘ n betroubare metode om vroulike afstammingslyne te bepaal. Dit vorm die grondslag van die studies wat Afrika aandui as die “Wieg van die Mensdom”, en hoe die menslike bevolkings oor die afgelope ongeveer 150 eeue oor die wêreld heen versprei het [7].

Voordat soortgelyke studies met betrekking tot Eva/Krotoa en/of ander vroulike lede van haar stam uitgevoer kan word, is dit nodig dat meer van hulle afstammelinge in ander vroulike lyne opgespoor moet word sodat vasgestel kan word of hulle dieselfde mtDNA profiel oplewer.

Behalwe vir die afstammelinge wat hier geïdentifiseer is, is daar is sekerlik nog baie ander sulke persone in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie studie het gekonsentreer op die nageslag van Maria Jacomina van SCHALKWYK, wie se nageslag moontlik nog meer vroulike lyne tot tans lewendes kan oplewer. ‘ n Meer vrugbare en relevante (omdat dit baie meer geslagte teruggaan) veld sou wees die vroulike nageslag van Petronella se ander dogters, Catharina (x Roelof Diodati), Eva (x Hubert Hanse van der Meyden) of Maria (x Hendrik Abraham de Vries), waarvan die laaste die belowendste lyk.

Hierin lê dus ‘ n uitdaging aan ander genealoë om deel te neem aan die soektog na nog ander nasate van Eva in ‘n direkte vroulike lyn, wat die geleentheid sou bied om, met die huidige tegnologie, ‘ n stukkie van ons land se verlore genetiese erfenis te kan herontdek.

Erkennings

Aan die Truter-susters vir toestemming om hul genealogiese besonderhede te publiseer.
Aan Nico Walters vir onontbeerlike hulp met ontrafeling van die Ehlers/Eelders-familie.
Aan Nico Gey van Pittius vir waardevolle inligting oor navorsing met betrekking tot mtDNA..

Verwysings

[1] Matthee, Dalene: Pieternella van die Kaap, Tafelberg, Kaapstad (2000).
[2] Sleigh, Dan: Eilande , Tafelberg, Kaapstad (2002).
[3] Upham, Mansell: Persoonlike mededeling.
[4] Malan, O G: “My Kwartierstaat: Herkoms en Kwartierverlies”, C apensis 4/2002 pp 22-27.
[5] Malan, O G: “Die Swerfjare van Dirk Jacobus van Schalkwyk”, Capensis 4/2003 pp.18-23.
[6] Malan, O G: “Die Kekulé-kode vir Kwartierstate”, Familia Jaargang 40 No 1 (2003) pp. 34-36.
[7] a) Sykes, Bryan: The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry , W.W. Norton, 2001.
b) Dawkins, Richard: River out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life , 1995.
c) Carmichael, Terrence and Alexander Kuklin: How to DNA Test Our Family Relationships . DNA Press (2000).
d) Fitzpatrick, Colleen and Andrew Yeiser: DNA and Genealogy. Rice Book Press (2005).
e) Oppenheimer, Stephen: The Real Eve. Modern Man’s Journey out of Africa (2003).
f) Pomery, Chris: DNA and Family History: How Genetic Testing can Advance your Genealogical Research . London: National Archives (2004).
g) Savin, Alan: DNA for Family Historians . Maidenhead: Genetic Genealogy Guides (2003).
h) Smolenyak, Megan and Ann Turner: Trace Your Roots with DNA: Using Genetic Tests to Explore Your Family Tree . Rodale Books (2005).
[8] Walters, N M: Die Walters-diaspora en Familieboek Privaat Uitgawe 2005.
[9] Marianne Schwartz and John Vissing: “Paternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA”. New England Journal of Medicine 347 (8) pp. 576-580 (Aug 22, 2002).

Korrespondensie: Ockert Malan

Acknowledgements to the Author as well as the Genealogical Society of South Africa Western Cape Branch Magazine of Capensis

The signatures of our ancestors are windows to our past. Before the invention pen and paper people like the Khoi and the Egyptians used rock art and hieroglyphics to depict there name names. There was no other form of confirmation of names except those folk lucky enough to be able to read and write.

Signatures tell us whether or not our ancestors were literate and also how educated they were as well as whether or not they were beginner writers, nervous about writing or perhaps they had a disability of some kind.

One of the first things our ancestors probably learnt to write was there name and to sign their name – this form of identification would have at first probably be thought as the work of the devil as how could anyone try to see if they were really that person? Most of us write out signature without even thinking and sometimes find it very difficult to try (just for fun) to copy our grandparents or great grandparents ones. If you have spent time in the National Archives and looked through the countless death notices or estate papers between the years 1840 and 1880 – much of the writing is very similar albeit many of you would find it difficult not only to read the persons name who signed the document even though the actual person who signed the document did not fill it in making it even more intriguing. .

As the makeup and material of paper and pen has changed over the centuries so have signatures also changed. They way we were taught to write and by whom make a large impact on how our handwriting and signatures have endured. I am certainly not proud of my handwriting and find that many youngsters today have even worse writing skills – the emphasis in basic writing skills is one the wane and is a great loss to anybody tracing their family history.

How many of us actually print out and file an email ? We forget that in a 100 years’ time [email protected] might be your great grandson’s signature and there will be nothing in paper format – heaven forbid as it will all look the same!! We all love keeping old letters and either filing them in box files or and old – and we know that the ink there will remain there much longer than from a printer cartridge.

To get the most out of signatures we need get the most information from the records that are available, we have to decipher these records and put meaning into the symbols we see on the old documents or papers that we find. As we read wills, death notices, baptisms, marriage certificates or even simple birthday cards we very often find that the text is gibberish to us and sometimes completely un-comprehendible.

You will find out as your research goes back in time the further back you go the more difficult it becomes to decipher old signatures. It is important to remember that many of our names today are still spelt phonetically meaning written the best way you could and how it sounded.

In many instances old handwriting looks similar to our modern day shorthand with dropped or (upper or lower) letters in names. Assuming what these names should or should not be can be a fatal mistake. If someone’s name is written in a signature such as Edwd does not necessarily mean the persons name is Edward as it could be Edwin. Names should be transcribed exactly as they are written – notes can always be made but never change the original record.

Signature of David Senekal

The signature of David Senekal (believe it or not?)

One of the letters in the alphabet that has changed the most is the Double SS which is used to be written as FF or fs like the surname Burgeff which is actually Burgess. Over 100 years ago the “s” was often written like a backward “f.” This strange symbol for “s” was used very commonly in instances where there was a “double s.” The unusual s first, called the “leading s.” Then the regular s.