Researching South African Immigration and Emigration Patterns
South Africa's history is a fascinating migration story, with people arriving from all over the world and others leaving to build new lives in other lands. Understanding the patterns of immigration an...
1 Jul 9min
Understanding South African Surnames: A Guide to Cultural and Ethnic Origins
What's in a name? Well, in South Africa, quite a lot! Surnames carry the stories of ancestors, cultures, and the complex history that shaped this incredible country. Whether your last name is Van der ...
30 Jun 8min
Tracing Ancestry Through South African Church and Civil Records
Church and civil records are foundational resources for tracing ancestry in South Africa. Before formal civil registration was introduced, church records were the primary means of documenting life eve...
27 Jun 10min
Introduction to South African Genealogy
South Africa has an extraordinary history and a complex blend of cultures, rewarding and challenging genealogical research here. Whether your ancestors were part of the indigenous communities, Europea...
22 Jun 8min
Book Giveaway: Tracing Your Ancestors Using What They Left Behind
The book is Tracing Your Ancestors Using What They Left Behind: A Guide for Family Historians by Simon Wills. I had actually planned to offer this book as a giveaway a few weeks ago, but some family t...
21 Jun 7min
Military Records for Tracing Ancestors
Military records can add life, movement, and personal detail to family history research. A census may tell you where an ancestor lived. A marriage record may name a spouse. A deed may show land owners...
19 Jun 27min
Summer Genealogy Starts Now
Summer is one of the best times of year to bring family history out of the computer and into the real world. The days are longer. Travel is easier. Cemeteries are more accessible. Families gather for ...
15 Jun 10min
Honoring the Revolutionary War Soldiers Lost for 250 Years
For nearly two and a half centuries, they were forgotten beneath the soil near Lake George, New York. No marked graves stood above them. No descendants visited to leave flowers. No stone carried their...
13 Jun 8min
