South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers (Cape Town Archives) - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

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== What is in the Collection?  ==
== What is in the Collection?  ==


This collection dates from 1660 through 1970.  
This collection dates from 1660 through 1970 and includes records of baptisms, marriages and deaths. The Dutch Reformed Church records have been maintained in good condition. Baptisms and marriages are found in different registration formats, usually in bound registers, which are kept at the local church archives in care of the registrar. 
Since 1928 the registrar sends the registries to be archived at the Central Archive of the Dutch Reformed Church in Cape Town, South Africa.  


The Dutch Reformed Church records have been maintained in good condition. Baptisms and marriages are found in different registration formats.  Deaths records are not found among these registers. The records are written in Afrikaans, Dutch and English.  See the section [[South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers (FamilySearch Historical Records)#For Help Reading these Records|For Help Reading these Records]] for translation helps.  
===Reading these Records===
 
The records are written in Afrikaans, Dutch and English.  See the section [[South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers (FamilySearch Historical Records)#For Help Reading these Records|For Help Reading these Records]] for translation helps.  
   
   
When South Africa was settled by the Dutch in the 16th and 17th centuries, they transplanted their Dutch Reformed theology into the African continent. The Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa was formally established in 1652 and became the only official church in South Africa until 1778, when freedom of public worship was given to other churches. The history of the Dutch Reformed Church has been very much bound up with the politics of the Afrikaner community of South Africa. The baptism and marriage records are recorded in bound registers, which are kept at the local church archives in care of the registrar. Since 1928 the registrar sends the registries to be archived at the Central Archive of the Dutch Reformed Church in Cape Town, South Africa.  
===General Information about the Dutch Reformed Church===
 
When South Africa was settled by the Dutch in the 16th and 17th centuries, they transplanted their Dutch Reformed theology into the African continent. The Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa was formally established in 1652 and became the only official church in South Africa until 1778, when freedom of public worship was given to other churches. The history of the Dutch Reformed Church has been very much bound up with the politics of the Afrikaner community of South Africa.  


The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa consists of three separate churches: the Nederduitse Gereformeede Kerk (the largest and usually called the Dutch Reform Church; the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk (largely restricted to the Transvaal); and the Gereformeede Kerk in Suid Afrika (the Doppers). During the 17th and 18th Centuries the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduitse Gereformeede Kerk) was the only officially recognized Church denomination in South Africa and many white residents of the Cape belonged to it. In later years other church denominations were created in Cape, leaving a decline in the membership of the Dutch Reformed Church.  
The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa consists of three separate churches: the Nederduitse Gereformeede Kerk (the largest and usually called the Dutch Reform Church; the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk (largely restricted to the Transvaal); and the Gereformeede Kerk in Suid Afrika (the Doppers). During the 17th and 18th Centuries the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduitse Gereformeede Kerk) was the only officially recognized Church denomination in South Africa and many white residents of the Cape belonged to it. In later years other church denominations were created in Cape, leaving a decline in the membership of the Dutch Reformed Church.  
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==Collection Content==
==What Can these Records Tell Me?==
 
Baptism records usually contain the following information:
*Name
*Date of baptism
*Place of baptism
*Date of birth
*Names of parents
 
Marriage records usually contain the following information:
*Names
*Date and place of marriage
*Ages
*Country of birth
*Marital status
*Occupation
*Residence
*Names of persons giving consent
 
==Collection Contents==


===Sample Images===
===Sample Images===
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==What Can this Collection Tell Me?==
==How Do I Search the Collection?==


Baptism records usually contain the following information:
You can search the index or view the images or both. Before using this collection it is helpful to know:
*Name
 
*Date of baptism
*Name of the person you are looking for
*Place of baptism
*Approximate date of birth or marriage
*Date of birth
 
*Names of parents
===Search the Index===
 
'''Search by name by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1478678 Collection Page]:'''<br>
1. Fill in the search boxes on the Collection Page with the information you have
2. Click '''Search''' to show possible matches


Marriage records usually contain the following information:
===View the Images===
*Names
*Date and place of marriage
*Ages
*Country of birth
*Marital status
*Occupation
*Residence
*Names of persons giving consent


== How Do I Search the Collection?  ==
'''View  images in this collection by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https://familysearch.org/recapi/sord/collection/1478678/waypoints Browse Page]:'''<br>
1. Select the appropriate "Country" <br>
2. Select the appropriate "Province"<br>
3. Select the appropriate "Municipality or Town"<br>
4. Select the appropriate "Record Type and Years" to view the images.


'''Search by Name by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1478678 Collection Page]:'''<br> Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors 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.
=== How Do I Analyze the Results? ===


'''View  images in this collection by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https://familysearch.org/recapi/sord/collection/1478678/waypoints Browse Page]:'''<br>To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links:<br> ⇒ Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page<br> ⇒ Select the "Country" category<br> ⇒ Select the "Province" category<br> ⇒ Select the "Municipality or Town" category<br> ⇒ Select the "Record Type and Years" category which takes you to the images<br>
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images.
If you did not find the person you were looking for, consider selecting the "Illegible Surname" category and see if you can locate them.


Search the collection by image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.  
For more tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article [[FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks]].


===For Help Reading these Records===
===For Help Reading these Records===
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==What Do I Do Next?==
==What Do I Do Next?==
When you have located your ancestor’s death record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family.


===I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?===     
===I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?===     
                        
                        
*Use the age in the citizen to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records.                             
*Use the age to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in civil records.                             
*Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved, been recruited or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify. Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/South_Africa_Vital_Records_Index vital records indexes] in the country.                   
*Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved, been recruited or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify. Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/South_Africa_Vital_Records_Index vital records indexes] in the country.                   
*When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.                           
*When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.                           
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*Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful.                                   
*Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful.                                   
*While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.                           
*While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.                           
*Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name.                         
                     
*Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation.                           
*Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation.                           
*Remember that sometimes individuals went by [http://usgenweb.org/research/nicknames.shtml nicknames] or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for [http://genealogy.about.com/od/first_names/fl/nickname-given-name-equivalents.htm these names] as well.                       
                   
*Search the indexes and records of [[South Africa Societies|local genealogical societies]].
*Search the indexes and records of [[South Africa Societies|local genealogical societies]].
*Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800.  
*Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800.  
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|title=South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers, 1660-1970
|title=South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers, 1660-1970
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