DIARY OF A NATAL MOLE
July 2005
1 The Verulam Wesleyan Baptismal Register, indexed by Delyse for Genealogy World, is already proving very useful. Original is now held at Campbell Collections, Durban.
2 New article by Graham Mason on Fripp's dramatic painting of the Battle of Isandhlwana uploaded on Genealogy World. Enquiry received from Edward Lowe re Leslie SMITH deceased estate file and birth registration, and another from Elyse Downham re KIRBY.
3 The Birkenhead lists go up on Genealogy World. This ship was an iron paddle-frigate which was converted to a troopship in 1848. While on a voyage from Simon's Town to East London with troops for the Frontier War, she struck rocks off Danger Point 26 February 1852, at night. 'Women and children first' was the order given, and there was appalling loss of young men. See "A Deathless Story" by Addison and Mathews (1906)
Receive an update from Tony Jones on the 593 (William JONES VC) saga.
4 Tessa King reports reappearance of Annie LUNDY file previously missing at Transvaal archives - motto: persevere and the 'lost' record will eventually turn up on the shelves.
Query re Verulam gravestone inscription; there are difficulties taking photographs in these inaccessible and isolated places. Some of the names in this cemetery are reflected in the recently-discovered Wesleyan Baptismal Register, and an index to Verulam cemetery MIs is held by the Durban GSSA.
5 Find Illustrated London News engraving of the wreck of the SS St Lawrence, as well as several reports in The Times Digital Archive. The St Lawrence was wrecked on Great Paternoster Point, Cape, 8 November 1876, carrying the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Buffs (3rd Regiment of Foot). All on board were saved; an enquiry into the wreck was later held. Soldiers Reef at Cape Columbine is named after the troops who came ashore after the St Lawrence wreck. Interestingly, Soldatebaai in the same area commemorates the men landed off the SS Ismore, a transport steamer wrecked north of the Cape Columbine lighthouse 3 December 1899.
James POLLYBLANK GEE's estate papers include a beautifully-detailed list of his next of kin - would that such were included in every individual's documents.
6 Finding illustrations for Anglo-Boer article for the Family and Local History Handbook UK; sourcing these and obtaining the requisite size and resolution for publication takes time.
Viv Kymdell sends a message about a so-called expected Mars Spectacular which proves to be a hoax - I suggest she writes back to the sender saying "You're talking through Uranus."
7 London bombings - the boys ring to reassure me that they are safe and well.
Enquiry from June Patterson re BUTLER; passenger records and death certificates - and their inherent problems - under discussion.
9 Meet Derbyshire client and friend Cathy Pienaar, on holiday here.
Enquiry from Rob Hutchings re a birth at sea on the way to SA.
10 My sons finally persuade me to vist them in London in December.
Hear from Vernon Hatley enquiring re VINNICOMBE and PETTY. Much on these families appears in the absorbing "Vinnicombe's Trek" by R N Currey (Shuter and Shooter and University of Natal Press 1989 ISBN 0869806556)
For those researching early Cape military or mariners, Familia XVI (1979) no. 3, includes the following article by Peter Philip:
"Discharged soldiers and sailors who were granted permission to remain at the Cape: 1815-1824". Included is an extensive list of these individuals including, in most cases, the date and regiment. Back issues of Familia are still available from e-branch of the Genealogical Society of South Africa . . . check their website at:
www.eggsa.org
11 Successful use of the Indian Immigrant CD for Roy Singh, finding his ancestor Sarjoo's indentured number and details of origins.
17 Acquire suitcase with wheels for forthcoming December trip to UK. Moles have weak wrists and no biceps.
News item: "Sixty-six department of home affairs officials were dismissed between April 2004 and June 2005 for serious acts of misconduct, Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Monday. She was speaking in Pretoria at the release of a report on cases of corruption and misconduct in the department. 'During the same period we have issued 54 written warnings, 40 final written warnings and 34 verbal warnings,' she said. The minister said most of the cases of corruption and misconduct related to fraud, misappropriation of state funds, aiding and abetting illegal immigrants, illegal issuing of documents and assault. There was also a murder case pending against an official who allegedly shot a member of the public in the home affairs office in Hazyview, Mpumalanga in December 2003."
Conclusion: if you don't pay - those Home Affairs Dept officials don't play!
18 Working on John of Gaddesden, medieval medicaments and the Black Death, all cheering stuff. Make a mental note to visit the church at Trotton, near Midhurst Sussex, where there is the oldest surviving full-length brass memorial (ca 1310) to a woman in England; there's a strong possibility (according to "Complete Peerage" by Cokayne) that she may be Margaret De GATESDEN. Sadly, the enamelled heraldic shields, usually a significant part of these brass memorials and providing clues to the family, have all been removed. Vandalism in graveyards isn't confined to South Africa.
20 Research on Hummelo plantation for David Castledine in North Wales; relevant to the Netherlands settlers to New Gelderland, Natal, 1858. There is a useful overview on them (in Afrikaans) by J Ploeger in Lantern magazine Vol XXIII No 3 March 1974.
21 Becky Horne tells of a deaf mute, George CHELL who 60 years ago founded Port Elizabeth's first string orchestra - I'm entranced by this idea; being a violinist myself, I have often suspected that many string players may be entirely deaf, and since so many professional musicians are prima donnas with much temperament, I can't help feeling that for them to be mute as well might be an advantage. Seriously, though, is someone pulling our legs, or can this story be true? Unless he was the administrative founder of the orchestra and didn't actually perform in it, my mind is boggling, forsooth.
Elizabeth Gabriel (of James Donaldson and the Lotus fame) lets me know that Ancestors magazine have published my letter seeking information on the WOODWARD brothers; Elizabeth is looking for details on Alexander Shirran INGRAM; a deceased estate file has been found.
22 More London blasts followed by instructions to police to 'shoot on sight'; it's the end of civilization as we know it; I remember a time when the London Bobby was armed only with a truncheon.
23 Busy on the immigration topic, I re-visit www.ilng.co.uk which has an amazing gallery of engravings from Illustrated London News, various dates. All pictures are shown at 72 dpi: if requiring a photo for a published family history narrative, for example, a high resolution scan of any of the illustrations can be ordered, and if your choice is not in the gallery, they will search for it. Note one of the ship Ballengeich - embarking for Australia in this instance, but this vessel also came to Natal, bringing immigrants under arrangement by George Murdoch and Richard Pelly.
24 Illustrations for immigration article take up the entire Sunday apart from an intriguing hour with the washing machine, from which smoke is emanating. As long as it isn't from the computer, Mole can be philosophical.
30 At Killie Campbell researching POLLYBLANK, WESTCOTT and GEE, and browsing through "Life at Natal A Hundred Years Ago" - said to be "By a Lady", it has been suggested that these letters may in fact have been the work of Sir John Robinson, journalist, prose-writer and one-time Prime Minister of Natal. Whoever the author, the pages are packed with colonial atmosphere: "Durban June 1864 ... There seems to be less ceremony and more real hearty friendliness here than in any part of the world, claiming to be civilized, that I have been in. People appear thoroughly anxious to make one happy without waiting to be introduced ..."
31 Parting shot from FTM July 2005: Kentish Gazette Nov 1786 - At the last assizes for Norfolk a man was tried on a charge of bigamy. Two wives had already proved their titles to their person, when a third stood up with the same purpose, and a fourth appeared in readiness. 'Why, you fellow', exclaimed the Judge, 'at this rate where did you intend to stop?' 'To stop, my Lord!', replies the other, 'I was going on till I could find a good one'.
Mole