Genealogical Society of South Africa
Durban and Coastal Branch
Volume 25 Issue 1/2009
We would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new members, Dr Sheila Bamber , Carolynne Butler, Liz Marson and Maureen Schnittker, and wish them lots of success in their research and a fruitful association with the Society.
***
Message from the
Treasurer
Members will no
doubt be aware that fees have been increased from January this year. Options are as follows :
Option 1:
R130 - receive a printed copy only of the “Familia”
Option 2: R110 - receive an electronic copy only of the
“Familia”
To register on eGGSA the cost is R30 (in
addition to one of the above).
The cost of
additional publications can be found on the Renewal Form, or by contacting the
Treasurer.
Please
note that subscription fees may be deposited at ANY branch of Nedbank in South
Africa – our banking details are :
Account
Name : The Genealogical Society of South
Africa
Bank
: Nedbank
Branch
Code : 135226
Account
No. : 2144 092 346 (Durban North)
NB : Members banking via INTERNET must quote the
Code No. 135226 as well as our account number.
Please notify the Treasurer of your renewal either by post, telephone or
by e-mail.
***
Annual
General Meeting
held on Saturday 17 January 2009
The branch
AGM was held on Saturday 17 January at the Family History Centre and was well
attended. The minutes of the AGM were circulated under separate cover.
The following members were elected as office bearers
for 2009 :
Chairman :
Matthys van Niekerk
Vice-Chairman : Dave Honour
Treasurer : Adrienne Kitchin
Librarian : Dawn van Niekerk
Secretary : Judy Letard
Committee : Nigel McFerran (past-Chairman)
Cynthia
McFerran
We extend a warm welcome to our
new committee members and congratulate them on their election.
We wish to thank our past Chairman,
Treasurer and Librarian, Jacques Benadie, Shirley Richardson and Paul Bower for
their contribution, hard work and the time dedicated to their positions during
the last couple of years.
***
Stellawood Cemetery Registers
Indexing Project (SCRIP)
We are thankful for the
permission which was finally granted to us by the Municipality to digitally photograph
the registers which contain the burial records at the Stellawood Cemetery. From
these photographic images we can then compile a computerised index. Guidance has been received from the Head of
the GSSA Cemetery Project on the procedures they followed and the formats in
which they capture the information. Trial
runs were made and tested and all systems are now ready to go. Permission has been obtained to acquire
temporary data storage "flash discs" to distribute the images to
volunteer transcribers and more camera stands for the photographers. Once these are in place work can commence in
earnest. If you are interested in
volunteering to assist with either photographing or transcribing please contact
the project leader Jaq Benade or one of the committee members. Even at this early stage it is apparent that
transcribing data from photographic image to data spreadsheet is what is going
to consume most time. Please members –
we need volunteers. This is a mammoth
task which is long overdue!
You can contact Jaq
Benadie direct at jaqb@tekomsa.net.
***
25,000 Historical Titles
now online at FamilySearch.org
(Submitted by Nigel McFerran)
The following is an update from
the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, dated December 15, 2008.
FamilySearch
International reached a milestone today with the digitization of its 25,000th
publication online. It began the initiative in 2007 and is ramping up to do
even more--and faster.
The effort targets
published family, society, county, and town histories, as well as numerous
other historical publications that are digitally preserved and made accessible
for free online.
The digital
publications can be searched at www.FamilySearch.org <http://www.FamilySearch.org> (Go to
FamilySearch.org, then click Search Records, then click Historical Books).
The 25,000th digitized
publication was "A History of Lewis County, in the State of New York, from
the Beginning of Its Settlement to the Present Time" by Franklin B. Hough.
The book was published in 1860.
The lengths of titles digitized
to date vary in length, but the average is about 350 pages. There are even
publications in Spanish, German, French, and Russian.
FamilySearch has nearly
a million publications in its famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City,
Utah, and there are millions of similar publications elsewhere in the United
States.
"The problem with
the collection (of out-of-print titles) is limited access," said Ransom
Love, FamilySearch senior vice president of Strategic Relations.
"To view the
publications, patrons have to travel to Salt Lake City or one of FamilySearch's
affiliate libraries. If you are lucky, you might be able to order a microfilm
copy, but then you have to wait for it to arrive at your local family history
centre. And there's the inconvenience of having to read it on a film
reader," Love added.
FamilySearch aims to
change all of that.
Working with volunteers
and select affiliate libraries, it plans to create the largest digital
collection of published histories on the Web.
It is targeting a wide range of historical publications--for example,
users might be pleasantly surprised to find digital copies of Hawaii Sugar
Planters Association Filipino Labourer files (1909-1949), medieval family
history resource titles, and oral history abstracts (mostly from Hawaii), and
numerous gazetteers.
"These are
publications that were usually limited in the number originally printed and
therefore only accessible in a few libraries or special collections worldwide.
Yet there can be some great information of genealogical significance in the
publications that only a few people would have access to prior to now,"
Love said.
Through its Records
Access Program, FamilySearch is digitally preserving a copy of the publications
and making them available online for the masses. Once digitized, the
collections have "every word" search capability, which allows users
to search by name, location, date, or other fields across the collection. The
search results are then linked to high quality digital images of the original
publication.
FamilySearch is not
stopping with its own collection either. Over the past year, it announced that
it is also helping to digitize and publish collections from the Brigham Young
University Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University--Hawaii Joseph F.
Smith Library, Allen County Public Library (ACPL) in Fort Wayne, Indiana,
Houston Public Library, in Houston, Texas, and Mid-Continent Public Library
Midwest Genealogy centre in Independence, Missouri.
When all is said and
done, there will be over a million publications in the digital collection
online. It will be the largest free resource of its kind".
***
Bulletin Board
v
GSSA Cemetery Recording
Project
Project Leader Peter
Moss and wife Bev are doing the final data capture for CD 7, which becomes
available during March 2009 and the database has been closed for all new
entries. Anything that has not been captured will stand over and be captured
for issue in CD 8 in 2010.
Their database now
holds 308 026 records from 2 507 cemeteries!!
Please remember that if you have photos of graves
in any of the cemeteries- please forward them to eGGSA.
Depending on the amount of photos it can
either be sent to Alta Griffith via e-mail, by CD or uploaded directly onto the
eGGSA website by the contributor themselves.
The web link is as follows :
http://www.eggsa.org/library/main.php?g2_itemId=146879
v
DNA Tests by the
Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU)
The Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU) wish
to visit South Africa. The testing will
be free of charge and are very good tests. On the Y chromosome, 46 markers are
tested and on the Mitochondrial DNA three hyper-variable regions are tested. The results are not mailed out, but will
appear on the website with no personal details attached. In exchange the GSU would like a Ahnentafel
of preferably six, but at least four, generations, however full details will be
advised
at a later date. If any member is
interest and would like their DNA tested kindly contact one of the committee
members.
v
Family Name Database
Below are additional family name interests of members. If you can assist with any information to
assist these members kindly contact them direct.
Dr Sheila Bamber
Bamber, Parr,
Wilson{branch of William born 24 May 1882}, Bowen :
Email: sabamber@telkomsa.net
Fr Basil Royston
Manchester, Mitchell, Dooley, Percival, Walkden, Fritchley, Dumville, Field, Scott, Gobey, McNeil, Swart, Parfitt, Easterbrook, Pigg, Payn, Wackrill, Green, Gibbon, Keppler, Blagbrough : Email: brercottage385@att.net
The above names have been added to our database. Please remember it is still not too late to
send in the family names which you are researching; this is an ongoing
project! Please email to kdee@mweb.co.za
v
Research in
Bloemfontein
Should you need to do research in the Bloemfontein
area here are a few details which might assist you :
·
Anglo-Boer War Museum
Elria Wessels – ewessels@anglo-boer.co.za Tel (051) 447 0079
·
VAB Free State Archive
Repository
Tel (051) 522 6762 Email : fsarch@sacfs.gov.za
·
Dutch Reform Church Archives
Christa Botes -
argief@ngkerkovs.co.za Tel (051)
406 6724
v
News from GISA on the
SAG (South African Genealogies) publication
The executive committee of The Genealogical Institute of South Africa
(GISA), advised that from 1 April 2009 parts 1‐16 of the South African Genealogies' publications will be published on
CDrom as separate publications. Part 17
will also be made available on CD at a later date.
In addition, progress has been made with the additions and updating to
1930 of the first four volumes (A-F) which were issued by the Human Sciences
Research Council. The intention is that
once this has been completed, to make this
database available online with a charge for access. If all goes to plan, the first three letters of the alphabet should
be ready towards the end of 2009.
That GISA is busy correcting the SAG series has been known for some time
and genealogists are invited to submit corrections. A facility for that purpose is offered on the GISA website at http://www.gisa.org.za/?ufsp=40 where errors can be noted. Many
people have already made such submissions and the correction of errors of A
surnames in Part One of the SAG has largely been completed. A start is now being made on the B surnames.
Not only are errors being corrected, but the genealogies are now being
extended to 1930, whereas they previously ended around the middle of the
nineteenth century. The prices of the
separate CDs as well as the structure and charges for the online database will
be announced at the appropriate time.
v
“Who do you think you
are?”
I hear there is a company in the throes of producing the
South African version of “Who Do You Think You Are?” for SABC 2 in South
Africa. Something to look out for!!!!
v
Zanzibaris
The
following is an interesting extract from “Facts about Durban” by Allan Jackson :
“Did you know that Durban is home to one of the
smallest ethnic minorities in South Africa. The Zanzibaris community had its
origin when 113 people arrived in Durban on 4 August 1873 aboard HMS Briton
having been rescued from the slave trade, which was rife along the east coast
of Africa in those days. The community
was settled at King’s Rest on the Bluff, and its numbers increased when other
ex-slaves joined it.
The Zanzibaris have their own language called Maku and follow a form of
the Islam faith which incorporates some indigenous practices such as ancestor
worship.
The community, which traditionally kept very much to itself, was moved
from the Bluff in 1962 in terms of the Group Areas Act, and resettled at
Bayview in Chatsworth. In 1989 the
community began a fight to have its land restored and was eventually successful
in July 2003 when the Land Claims Commission handed over to them the title
deeds of 43ha of land at King’s Rest on the Bluff.”
v
The National Archives:
1911 Census Special
Don’t forget to visit www.1911census.co.uk
The 1911 census offers a fascinating
glimpse into life 98 years ago. For the
first time householders - rather than official census takers - filled in their
own census returns which means that you can not only see your ancestor's
handwriting but also any additional comments, mistakes and even doodles that
they may have added! You can also search
the census by address, if you're more interested in house history.
Most of the English counties are already
available, with the rest of the census (including Wales) due out soon. Best of all, you can search the eight million
census records for free however the majority of the items that are of real use (Wills etc.) can
be downloaded for a nominal fee of £3.50.
Huguenot
Cross
(Submitted
by Cynthia McFerran)
The
first Huguenot Cross was a Maltese Cross with a small teardrop suspended from
it. The cross with the dove was
created in around 1688 by Maystre, a jeweler of Nimes. This insignia is a token work by Huguenot
descendants all over the world.
As time
passed, different stories arose about the origins of the Huguenot Cross.
However,
all of them agree that it was worn for the first time in “the Cevennes”. The
cross evolved through tragic circumstances.
During the prosecution of the Huguenots, their
religious gatherings had to be kept secret.
They were usually held in caves, and other secret places and conducted
by one of the members. With weddings
and christenings they had to wait until the preacher was in the neighbourhood.
One day, somewhere in the Cevennes, a group of
Huguenots had gathered. The preacher
was busy marrying four young couples when the dreaded French Dragoons appeared
on the scene. Many Huguenots
succeeded in escaping but two of the bridal couples were caught. At the nearest town they were given a choice;
become Roman Catholic or die at the stake.
They refused to recant their Huguenot beliefs.
Four big piles of wood were prepared on the market
square, and stacked in such a way that those condemned could each watch each
other burn to death. The four condemned
Huguenots sang while they were brought closer and bound, each to a stake. With the flames their psalm rose to heaven
until their voices faded into silence.
From the crowd a woman’s voice called : “I see the flames rise to heaven. They unite in a mighty dome of fire which
joins the four burning stakes. I see a
cross of fire and in the centre it shoots its rays to the north, the south, the
east and the west – the Morning Star, the sign of our Master, Jesus Christ,
Praise the Lord! He is with us to the
end!”
A metal worker from Nimes saw and heard everything she
said. He made a kind of medallion
approximately the size of a five cent piece.
The nucleus resembled the Maltese Cross (the symbol of the
Crusaders). The four arms of the cross
were linked with a smaller circle”, which refers to the flames that untied
them. The space between the arms was
made into the shape of a heart.
The
space between eh arms was made into the shape of a heart.
The four
hearts remind us of the love of the two young couples who true to their faith,
were burnt at the stake on their wedding day.
This medallion was afterwards adopted by the Huguenots
as their token.
Later on the cross was not only made from iron, but
also from silver and even gold. The
dove was added as a symbol of the Holy Ghost.
After
the dreadful persecutions following on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes,
the Huguenots replaced the dove with a Pearl symbolizing a tear.
The Huguenot Cross is a symbol of religious loyalty –
a religion so strong that it did not even fear the stake.
Descendants
of Huguenots are not allowed to forget their origins nor to consider their
religion as being something superficial.
****
Diary Dates : 2009
17 January Branch Annual General Meeting
14
February Personal Research
14 March
Morning visit to Killie
Campbell Library and Museum/
Afternoon Personal Research
11 April Personal Research
09 May “DNA Research” talk by Prof.
Himla Soodyall
13 June “Scottish Ancestry in South
Africa” by Michael Jackson
11 July Personal Research / Speaker
to be announced
08
August Presentation by Peter
Moss, Head of the National Cemetery Recording Project
12
September Family History Fair,
Durban
10
October Personal Research /
Speaker to be announced
14
November Morning visit to
Warriors Gate / Old Fort
Afternoon Personal Research
12 December Ancestral Tea
We
will advise you timeously of any changes of events, or forthcoming outings that
do not fall on the 2nd Saturday of the month, as arrangements are
made.
****
Committee Members 2009
Chairman
Matthys van Niekerk Cell : 083 338 7316 E-Mail : matthysv@iafrica.com
Vice-Chairman
David Honour Cell : 082 906 4875 E-Mail : dave.honour@wspgroup.co.za
Treasurer/Membership
Adrienne
Kitchin Cell : 083 303 1646 E-Mail
: kitchin@iafrica.com
Secretary/Newsletter
Judy
Letard Cell: 072-146-7922 E-Mail : kdee@mweb.co.za
Librarian
Dawn van Niekerk
Cell: 083 338 7316 E-Mail : matthysv@iafrica.com
Committee
Nigel McFerran (past-Chairman) Cell : 083 338 7316 E-Mail: mcferran@vodamail.co.za
Cynthia McFerran Cell : 083 338 7316 E-Mail: mcferran@vodamail.co.za
Octogenarian
Annelise
Peters - Ph: 031-208-2910
****
Our Venue for Meetings
Family History Centre,
Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints,
144 Silverton Road.
Entrance in Montgomery
Road
Phone: (031) 202 3024
Our meetings are held at 2.30 on the 2nd Saturday of every
month. Our AGM is held on the 3rd
Saturday in January.
For the record, the F.H.C.
is also open at the following times:
Tuesday 10 am – 12 noon.
Wednesday 1 pm – 4 pm
Thursday 9 am – 12 noon and 6.30 pm – 9 pm
Last Saturday of every month from 10 am – 4 pm
Or by appointment phone –
cell 083 661 4457
****