South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive) - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:02, 13 March 2024

Access the Records
South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive), 1690-2011 CID1392488 {{{CID2}}} {{{CID3}}} {{{CID4}}} {{{CID5}}} {{{CID6}}} {{{CID7}}} {{{CID8}}} {{{CID9}}}
This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
South Africa

Flag of South Africa

Location of South Africa
Record Description
Record Type:	Church
Collection years:	1690-2011
Languages:	Afrikaans, Dutch, English
Title in the Language:	Zuid-Afrika, Nederlands Gereformeerde Kerk Records
FamilySearch Resources
South Africa Record Finder
South Africa Finding Town of Origin
South Africa Online Genealogy Records
South Africa Vital Records
South Africa Church Records
South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records







Related Websites
South African Genealogy
Cyndi's List - South Africa
Find a Grave - South Africa
GenealogyInTime Magazine
Cape Master Death Notice Index
Genealogical Society of SA - Graves
Genealogical Society of SA - Funeral Programs



Archive
Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid-Afrika, Genealogiese Instituut van Suid-Afrika, Stellenbosch

What is in This Collection?

The collection includes images of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, deaths, and memberships of the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk In Afrika) for the years 1690 to 2011. The records are housed at the Genealogical Institute of South Africa (Genealogiese Instituut van Suid-Afrika) Archive at Stellenbosch, South Africa. Communities from the entire country of South Africa are represented. Includes records from the current African nations of Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This collection is being published as images become available.

The Dutch Reform Church records have been maintained in good condition. Records are found in different registration formats. The baptism and marriage records are recorded in bound registers, which are kept at the local churches' archives in care of the registrars. Since 1928 the registrar sends the registries to be archived at the Central Archive of the Dutch Reformed Church in Cape Town, South Africa.

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 Reform Church has been very much bound up with the politics of the Afrikaner community of South Africa.

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 Reform Church (Nederduitse Gereformeede Kerk) was the only officially recognized Church denomination in South Africa and practically all the whites in the Cape belonged to it. In the following centuries, several other church denominations were created in Cape, leaving a decline in the membership of the Dutch Reformed Church. Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Index and Image Visibility

Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.

Reading these Records

These records are in Afrikaans and English. For help reading them see:

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

Birth

Name
Date of birth
Date of baptism
Names of parents
Names of baptismal witnesses

Marriage

Names
Date of marriage
Ages
Marital status
Occupation
Residence
Names of those giving consent
Names of witnesses
Race
Names of parents

Church Meeting Minutes

Name
Date of baptism
Membership status
Name of mission
Remarks may include marital status or other relative information

Collection Content

For additional details about these records and help using them see South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records.

Sample Images

Birth Record 1848
Church Meeting Minutes 1907
Marriage Record 1892

Coverage Table

The collection includes records from the following countries and provinces in Southern Africa:

Country	Province	Municipality	Record Type
Botswana	Malepolole	Mokgopeetsane	Baptism
			Marriage
			Membership
Malawi	Nyasaland	Nyasaland	Membership
Namibia	Warmbad	Karasburg	Marriage
South Africa	Cape	Multiple	Various
	Free State	Multiple	Various
	Transavaal	Multiple	Various
Zambia	Lusaka	Lusaka	Baptism
			Marriage
			Membership
	Lusaka East	Lusaka East	Marriage
Zimbabwe	Mashonaland	NG Kerk	Baptism
			Marriage
			Membership
	Umtali	Umtali	Marriage

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

Name of the person you are looking for
Approximate date of the event (birth, baptism, marriage, etc.)

Search the Index

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.

Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
Click Search to show possible matches

How Do I Analyze the Results?

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. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

Add any new information to your records
If available, check the image for additional information
Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
Try searching by surname only
Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps

The following articles will help you research your family in South Africa.

Known Issues

Click here for a list of known issues with this collection.

Citing This Collection

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.

Record Citation:
When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.

Image Citation:
When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[South Africa Genealogy|South Africa]]
+'''[[South Africa Genealogy|South Africa]]'''
 {{South Africa HR Infobox
-|CID=CID1392488
+| CID = CID1392488
-|title=South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive 1660-2011
+| title = South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive), 1690-2011
-|location=South Africa
+| location = South Africa
 | LOC_01 =
 | LOC_02 =
 | loc_map =
-| record_type = Stellenbosch Archive
+| record_type = Church
-| start_year = 1660
+| start_year = 1690
 | end_year = 2011
-| language =[[Dutch Genealogical Word List]]  and [[Afrikaans Word List]]
+| language = Afrikaans, Dutch, English
 | title_language = Zuid-Afrika, Nederlands Gereformeerde Kerk Records
-| FS_URL_01 = [[South Africa Genealogy]]
+| FS_URL_01 = [[South Africa Record Finder]]
-| FS_URL_02 = [[Africa Websites]]
+| FS_URL_02 = [[South Africa Finding Town of Origin]]
-| FS_URL_03 = [[Africa Historic Maps]]
+| FS_URL_03 = [[South Africa Online Genealogy Records]]
-| FS_URL_04 = [[South Africa Websites]]
+| FS_URL_04 = [[South Africa Vital Records]]
-| FS_URL_05 =
+| FS_URL_05 = [[South Africa Church Records]]
-| FS_URL_06 =
+| FS_URL_06 = [[South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
 | FS_URL_07 =
 | FS_URL_08 =
 | FS_URL_09 =
 | FS_URL_10 =
-| RW_URL_01 = [http://www.recordsandresources.com/ Records and Resources in South Africa]
+| RW_URL_01 = [http://sagenealogy.co.za/ South African Genealogy]
-| RW_URL_02 = [http://www.e-family.co.za/cdni/cdni_index.htm Cape Master Death Notice Index Project]
+| RW_URL_02 = [https://www.cyndislist.com/south-africa/ Cyndi's List - South Africa]
-| RW_URL_03 =
+| RW_URL_03 = [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/search?locationId=country_64&orderby=memorials&page=1#cem-2306728 Find a Grave - South Africa]
-| RW_URL_04 =
+| RW_URL_04 = [http://genealogyintime.com/records/Africa-genealogy-records.html GenealogyInTime Magazine]
-| RW_URL_05 =
+| RW_URL_05 = [http://www.e-family.co.za/cdni/cdni_index.htm Cape Master Death Notice Index]
-| RW_URL_06 =
+| RW_URL_06 = [http://www.eggsa.org/librarySearch/searchGraves.htm Genealogical Society of SA - Graves]
-| RW_URL_07 =
+| RW_URL_07 = [http://www.genza.org.za/biblio/main.php Genealogical Society of SA - Funeral Programs]
 | RW_URL_08 =
 | RW_URL_09 =
 | RW_URL_10 =
-| custodian = Dutch Reformed Church Archives, Stellenbosch
+| custodian = [https://www.kerkargief.co.za/ Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid-Afrika], Genealogiese Instituut van Suid-Afrika, Stellenbosch
 }}
+== What is in This Collection? ==
+The collection includes images of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, deaths, and memberships of the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk In Afrika) for the years 1690 to 2011. The records are housed at the Genealogical Institute of South Africa (Genealogiese Instituut van Suid-Afrika) Archive at Stellenbosch, South Africa. Communities from the entire country of South Africa are represented. Includes records from the current African nations of Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This collection is being published as images become available.
-== What is in the Collection?  ==
+The Dutch Reform Church records have been maintained in good condition. Records are found in different registration formats. The baptism and marriage records are recorded in bound registers, which are kept at the local churches' archives in care of the registrars. 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 collection of records covers the years 1660 to 2011.
+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 Reform Church has been very much bound up with the politics of the Afrikaner community of South Africa.
-The records include images of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, deaths, and memberships of the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk In Afrika) housed at the Genealogical Institute of South Africa (Genealogiese Instituut van Suid-Afrika) Archive at Stellenbosch, South Africa. Communities from the entire country of South Africa are represented. Includes records from the current African nations of Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This collection is being published as images become available.
+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 Reform Church (Nederduitse Gereformeede Kerk) was the only officially recognized Church denomination in South Africa and practically all the whites in the Cape belonged to it. In the following centuries, several other church denominations were created in Cape, leaving a decline in the membership of the Dutch Reformed Church.
+{{HR Add}}
-The Dutch Reform Church records have been maintained in good conditions. Records are found in different registration formats, most written in Dutch and others in Afrikaans, and English.
+=== Index and Image Visibility ===
+{{Image Visibility}}
-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 Reform 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 churches archive 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.
+=== Reading these Records ===
+These records are in Afrikaans and English. For help reading them see:
-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 Reform Church (Nederduitse Gereformeede Kerk) was the only officially recognized Church denomination in South Africa and practically all the whites in the Cape belonged to it. In the following Centuries, several other churches denominations were created in Cape, leaving a decline in the membership of the Dutch Reform Church.
+*[[Afrikaans Word List]]
+*[[Netherlands Language and Languages]]
-For details about the contents of these records, their history, and help using them see the wiki article: [[South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
+*[[South Africa Language and Languages]]
+== What Can These Records Tell Me? ==
-===Sample Images===
+The following information may be found in these records:
-Click on images for a larger view.
+{{col-begin|width=auto}}
-<gallery ="widths="360px" heights="220px" perrow="4">
+{{col-break}}
-Image:South Africa,Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive DGS 005378461 35.jpg|Birth Record
+'''Birth'''
-Image:South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive DGS 005128783 4.jpg|Church Meeting Minutes
+*Name
-Image:South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive 005362893 18.jpg|Marriage Record
+*Date of birth
-</gallery>
+*Date of baptism
+*Names of parents
-== How Do I Search the Collection?  ==
+*Names of baptismal witnesses
-{{Collection_Browse_Link
+{{col-break}}
-|CID=CID1392488
+'''Marriage'''
-|title=South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive 1660-2011
+*Names
-}}
+*Date of marriage
+*Ages
-'''To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links:'''<br> ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page <br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Country"<br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Province"<br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Municipality or Town or Province"<br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Record Type, Years and Alphabetical Section" which takes you to the images.
+*Marital status
+*Occupation
-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.
+*Residence
+*Names of those giving consent
-===I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?===
+*Names of witnesses
-*Use the age in the citizen to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records.
+*Race
-*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.
+*Names of parents
-*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.
+{{col-break}}
-*[[South Africa Church Records|Church Records]] often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900.
+'''Church Meeting Minutes'''
-===I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?===
+*Name
-*Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful.
+*Date of baptism
-*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.
+*Membership status
-*Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
+*Name of mission
-*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.
+*Remarks may include marital status or other relative information
-*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.
+{{col-end}}
-*Search the indexes and records of [[South Africa Societies|local genealogical societies]].
+== Collection Content ==
-*Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800.
+For additional details about these records and help using them see [[South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]].
-*There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another.
+=== Sample Images ===
-*Be aware that there may have been some transcription errors.
+<gallery ="widths="160px" heights="120px" perrow="4">
+Image:South Africa Dutch Reformed Church Birth 1848 DGS 5378461 imag 35.jpg|Birth Record 1848
-== Known Issues with This Collection  ==
+Image:South Africa Dutch Reformed Church 1907 Minutes DGS 5128783 image 4.jpg|Church Meeting Minutes 1907
+Image:South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive 005362893 00018.jpg|Marriage Record 1892
-{{HR Known Issues}}For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached [[South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive (FamilySearch Historical Records)/Known Issues|Wiki article]]. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.
+</gallery>
+=== Coverage Table ===
-==Citing this Collection==
+The collection includes records from the following countries and provinces in Southern Africa:
-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.
+{| style="width:60%; vertical-align:top;"|
+|-
-'''Collection citation:'''<br> {{Collection citation | text= "South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive 1660-2011." Images. <i>FamilySearch</i>. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2016. Citing Dutch Reformed Church Archives, Stellenbosch, Cape Town.}}
+|style=" vertical-align:top; width:20%;"|
+{| border="1" class="wikitable sortable"
-'''Image citation''':<br> {{Image Citation Link
+|-
-|CID=CID1392488
+! align="center" style="background: rgb(240,240,240)" scope="col" | '''Country
-|title=South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive 1660-2011
+! align="center" style="background: rgb(240,240,240)" scope="col" | '''Province
-}}
+! align="center" style="background: rgb(240,240,240)" scope="col" | '''Municipality
-== How You Can Contribute  ==
+! align="center" style="background: rgb(240,240,240)" scope="col" | '''Record Type
-{{Contributor invite}}
+|-
-{{H-langs|en=South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive (FamilySearch Historical Records)|pt=África do Sul, Registros da Igreja Reformada Holandesa, Arquivo de Stellenbosch (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)}}
+|'''Botswana
+|Malepolole
+|Mokgopeetsane
+|Baptism
+|-
+|
+|
+|
+|Marriage
+|-
+|
+|
+|
+|Membership
+|-
+|'''Malawi
+|Nyasaland
+|Nyasaland
+| Membership
+|-
+|'''Namibia
+|Warmbad
+|Karasburg
+| Marriage
+|-
+|'''South Africa
+|Cape
+|''Multiple
+|''Various
+|-
+|
+|Free State
+|''Multiple
+|''Various
+|-
+|
+|Transavaal
+|''Multiple
+|''Various
+|-
+|'''Zambia
+|Lusaka
+|Lusaka
+|Baptism
+|-
+|
+|
+|
+|Marriage
+|-
+|
+|
+|
+|Membership
+|-
+|
+|Lusaka East
+|Lusaka East
+|Marriage
+|-
+|'''Zimbabwe
+|Mashonaland
+|NG Kerk
+|Baptism
+|-
+|
+|
+|
+|Marriage
+|-
+|
+|
+|
+|Membership
+|-
+|
+|Umtali
+|Umtali
+|Marriage
+|-
+|}
+== How Do I Search This Collection? ==
+Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
+*Name of the person you are looking for
+*Approximate date of the event (birth, baptism, marriage, etc.)
+=== Search the Index ===
+{{Search Collection Link | CID=CID1392488 }}
+=== How Do I Analyze the Results? ===
+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. Keep track of your research in a [[Use_Appropriate_Forms#Prepare_a_Research_Log |research log]].
+== What Do I Do Next? ==
+=== I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now? ===
+*Add any new information to your records
+*If available, check the image for additional information
+*Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family
+=== I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now? ===
+*The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
+*Try searching by surname only
+*Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century
+=== Research Helps ===
+The following articles will help you research your family in [[South Africa Genealogy|South Africa]].
+*[[South Africa Record Finder]]
+*[[South Africa Finding Town of Origin]]
+== Known Issues ==
+{{HR KI}}
+== Citing This Collection ==
+Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.
+{{Collection citation}}
+{{Record_Citation}}
+{{Image_Citation}}
+[[pt:África do Sul, Registros da Igreja Reformada Holandesa, Arquivo de Stellenbosch (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)]]