South Africa

Getting started with South Africa research

New! Join a Genealogy Research Community for South Africa on Facebook or Skype

"A Research Guide for Beginners," by Rosemary Dixon-Smith

South Africa, Cape Province Dutch Reformed Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)

South Africa, Orange Free State Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Jurisdictions in South Africa

South Africa is divided into 9 provinces.

Research Tools

South Africa Wills

177 Wills listed in the On-Line Catalogue for the National Archives in London, where the "Cape of Good Hope" is shown as place of residence or former residence.  Wills dated from 1713 to 1857.  www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline.

Nasionale Pers are in the planning stages of digitising their Media (Newspapers and other publications printed by them. Includes Die Burger, Volksblad, Natal Witness, Huisgenoot etc.)  A  media statement will be released when more information is known.

Ancestry24 which is part of Naspers and Media24 provides a comprehensive website for anyone starting their family history in South Africa. There is however a subscription but their Family Tree Builder is free as well as contacting Tree Owners, Forum Boards and Learning Centre.

There is a fantastic new website for people who are tracing their ancestors in South Africa who emigrated from the British Isles. Although it covers mainly those who came in 1820, it is an on-going project with new names being added all the time. More information.

• Afrikaans Word List
• Records in the Family History Library Catalog, click on View Related Places (upper right corner) to see other jurisdictions or enter the town name on the http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitysearch&columns=*,0,0 catalog place search page

Help Wanted (or other title)

(For example, help wanted list of activities for your users)

Jewish Records

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Useful Websites

FamilySearch Historical Record Collections

Online collections containing these records are located in FamilySearch.org.

Wiki articles describing these collections are found at:

• South Africa, Cape Province Dutch Reofrmed Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)
• South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)
• South Africa Methodist Church Registers (FamilySearch Historical Records)
• South Africa, Orange Free State Estate Files (FamilySearch Historical Records)