South Africa, Pietermaritzburg Estate Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

South Africa

What is in the Collection?
This collection includes records for the years 1846-1950 and are in both English and Afrikaans. For translation use the following helps:


 * Afrikaans Word List
 * Google Translate

South Africa, Pietermaritzburg Estate Files, received from the Master of the Supreme Court in Pietermaritzburg, contains items pertaining to the administration of an estate. Records include a variety of record types including death notices, distribution accounts, and succession duty accounts. Original records are located in the Natal Archives Depot in Pietermaritzburg.

Record_Description

Record Content
Death Notices may contain the following information:
 * Name of the deceased
 * Birth place
 * Parents’ names
 * Age
 * Occupation
 * Residential address
 * Marital status
 * Place of marriage
 * Death date
 * Death place
 * Name of children

Wills may contain:
 * Name of the deceased
 * Names of family members
 * Distribution of property

Distribution accounts may contain:
 * Names of people or companies paid from the estate
 * Names of relatives paid from the estate
 * An accounting of any expenditures

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * Your ancestor’s name
 * The approximate year of death for your ancestor
 * Other identifying information such as residence, birthdate or age, names of other family members and family relationships.

Search the Collection
To search by index: Fill in the requested information in the boxes on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the individuals in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

To browse by image: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "Surname" which will take you to the images.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. The following examples show ways you can use the information:


 * Use the information found to locate a marriage record.
 * Use the information to locate land records for the decedent.
 * Use the information to do additional research on other family members.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify other relatives
 * If your ancestor used multiple names throughout their life, look for all their names.
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.
 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Search the records of nearby localities.
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You can then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor.

Related Websites

 * Pietermaritzburg Archives Repository
 * The Archival Platform

Related Wiki Articles

 * South Africa Genealogy
 * South Africa Probate Records

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection citation:

Record citation (or citation for the index entry):

Image citation: