Namibia Colonial Records

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Namibia

Colonial Records

German Colonization and United Nations (1884-1990)

In 1884, Namibia, except for the city of Walvis Bay, became a German colony. After World War I, Namibia, as part of South Africa, became part of the League of Nations mandate. In 1945, the League of Nations became the United Nations and mandates were transferred to a trusteeship system. Namibia officially became an independent country in 1990.

Record collection	Years covered	Record type	Language	Who is in the records
Namibia, Dutch Reformed Church Records, 1904-1984 at FamilySearch - index and images	1904-1984	Baptisms, marriages, and membership records	Dutch	People who lived in Namibia and were members of the Dutch Reformed Church
South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive), 1690-2011 at FamilySearch - index and images	1690-2011	Baptisms, confirmations, marriages, deaths, and memberships	Afrikaans, Dutch, English	Members of the Dutch Reformed Church
Bevölkerungsstatistik: Eingeborene und Farbige, 1909-1914 at FamilySearch - microfilm	1909-1914	Census	German	People who lived in German Namibia

British Colonization and South West Africa (1884-1994)

In 1884, the British annexed the city of Walvis Bay as part of the Cape Colony, while the surrounding country became a German colony. During World War I, Germany occupied Walvis Bay briefly, before being placed under martial law by South West Africa when the Germans were driven out. In 1977, control of Walvis Bay transferred from South Africa to the Cape Providence, making it an exclave. Walvis Bay sovereignty transferred to Namibia in 1994.

Record collection	Years covered	Record type	Language	Who is in the records
British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Namibia at FindMyPast - index and images ($)	1911-2005	Births and baptisms	English	Children born to those working within the armed forces, merchant navy, and consular forces, as well as, civilian ship passengers.
British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, COUNTRY at FindMyPast - index and images ($)	1911-2004	Deaths and burials	English	Members of the British armed forces who died while serving their country overseas, British civilians who died while traveling or working overseas, and individuals (including seaman) who died at sea.
Namibia, Dutch Reformed Church Records, 1904-1984 at FamilySearch - index and images	1904-1984	Baptisms, marriages, and membership records	Dutch	People who lived in Namibia and were members of the Dutch Reformed Church
South Africa, Church of the Province of South Africa, Parish Registers, 1801-2004 at FamilySearch - index and images	1801-2004	Baptisms, marriages, deaths, and burials	Afrikaans, English	People who lived in Namibia and were members of the Church of the Province of South Africa
Namibia, Die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Suidwes-Afrika, Lidmateregister al die Ringe, 1956-1989 at FamilySearch - index and images	1956-1989	Baptisms and membership records	Afrikaans	Members of the Dutch Reformed Church
South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive), 1690-2011 at FamilySearch - index and images	1690-2011	Baptisms, confirmations, marriages, deaths, and memberships	Afrikaans, Dutch, English	Members of the Dutch Reformed Church
Civil registration (death notices), South Africa, South West Africa, Rhodesia, Swaziland, etc., 1869-1939 at FamilySearch - images	1869-1939	Deaths	Afrikaans and English	People who lived in South West Africa
Civil registration (deaths), South Africa and South West Africa, 1955-1966 at FamilySearch - images	1955-1966	Deaths	Afrikaans and English	People who lived in South West Africa
Civil registration (deaths), South West Africa, 1894-1954 at FamilySearch - images	1894-1954	Deaths	Afrikaans and English	People who lived in South West Africa
Civil registration (marriages), Cape Province, 1900-1930 at FamilySearch - images	1900-1930	Marriages	Afrikaans and English	People who lived in South West Africa
Civil registration (marriages), South West Africa / Namibia, 1893-1930 at FamilySearch - images	1893-1930	Marriages	Afrikaans and English	People who lived in South West Africa
Namibia marriage registers for Whites, Coloreds and Indians, 1931-1957 at FamilySearch - images	1931-1957	Marriages	Afrikaans and English	People who lived in Namibia

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