South Africa

Discussion in 'Empire & Commonwealth' started by Eve, Jul 31, 2021.

  1. Eve

    Eve Well-Known Member

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    Is there any access to South African birth records?
    Looking for more detail on a Charles Alexander Dimbleby born 26 Oct 1883
    Any pointers gratefully received.
     
  2. Auburn

    Auburn Well-Known Member

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    I used The National Archives of South Africa website (aka NARS) a long time ago.
    I remember finding some things I was looking for but not everything.
    It was a very long time ago so it may have improvd by now.
     
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  3. MollyMay

    MollyMay Knows where to find the answers!

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    A transcription is on Family search, but the original is only available at one of their centres
     
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  4. Eve

    Eve Well-Known Member

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    Thank you I'll have look for that.
     
  5. Eve

    Eve Well-Known Member

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    I did have a quick look on FS but had trouble finding "births" I'll take another look, thanks
     
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  6. MollyMay

    MollyMay Knows where to find the answers!

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    I just clicked on the picture of the continent of Africa from their map, then from the drop down picked South Africa, entered his name and year of birth, and it was the first result.
    It is in the - births, South Africa, Church of the Province of South Africa, Parish Registers, 1801-2004
     
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  7. Eve

    Eve Well-Known Member

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    Perfect MollyMay - had trouble at first finding the map from my MacBook but when I did it had quite a few entries for him and the family (hopefully looks like it will answer a little conundrum I had) inc the baptism record a bit further down. Great stuff thank you x
     
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  8. MollyMay

    MollyMay Knows where to find the answers!

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    Glad you found it :)
     
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  9. Eve

    Eve Well-Known Member

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    One good thing is that the baptism shows witnesses (I assume Godparents?) which help. On the downside marriages don't give parents names :(
    You know the feeling when one door opens another closes.........and why do the whole family feel the need to use the same name combination. :(
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2021
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  10. Andromeda

    Andromeda Tenacity is her middle name

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    The image is linked below (if I've done it right!) - page 5 (of 9), second entry. (I couldnt find the image via familysearch, think I need to practice a bit more!)

    Code:
    http://www.historicalpapers.wits.ac.za/inventories/inv_pdfo/AB1569/AB1569-7-11-1-8-06-jpeg.pdf
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2021
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  11. Eve

    Eve Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Andromeda, that’s a really clear copy.
    That looks to be a very useful site too. This is the first time I’ve ventured into South Africa! So I’ll have a good look around there.
     
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  12. HildaW

    HildaW Well-Known Member

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    Eve, Hi look on National Archives of South Africa you may find a file if: he died and left fixed property or if he appeared in court and that is about all you will find on the SA site. BMD's are not available in SA unless you know the exact church and IF that church still holds the records .. virtually impossible to trace anyone here unless from Afrikaans (Dutch settler) descent and someone holds a detailed Family Bible.
     
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  13. Eve

    Eve Well-Known Member

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    Hi @HildaW Yes I agree it’s not a very user friendly site. The chap I was looking for wasn’t born in S.A. but I did find a great deal of information on the family from family search once Molly May had given me instructions and from the historical papers link from @Andromeda at post #10. S.A. Death record notices have lots of relevant information and being able to access them online is so useful.
     

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