In the world of genealogy, it can sometimes feel as though the women in your family tree slip into the shadows, overshadowed by male ancestors whose surnames are passed down through generations. But...
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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...
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...
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...
Introduction to South African Genealogy
South Africa has an extraordinary history and a complex blend of cultures, which makes genealogical research here both rewarding and challenging. Whether your ancestors were part of the indigenous...
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...
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...
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...
Hamilton and the Founding Fathers: Where Broadway Meets American History
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans are once again turning their attention to the people, events, and ideas that shaped the nation...
When the Markers Are Gone, the History Remains
Public Memory Is Not the Same as History A monument, a roadside marker, a courthouse plaque, or a bronze statue can be valuable. It can tell people that something important happened there. It can...