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South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive) - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions
South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive) - FamilySearch Historical Records (view source)
Revision as of 09:24, 4 January 2017
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*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. | ||
*[[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. | *[[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. | ||
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===I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?=== | ===I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?=== | ||
*Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, | *Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, Civil Registration 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. | *Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name. | ||
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*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. | *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's. | ||
*There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another. | *There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another. | ||
*Be aware that there may have been some transcription errors.<br><br> | *Be aware that there may have been some transcription errors.<br><br> | ||