Why no reference to my ancestor on NAAIRS?

Not finding a reference on NAAIRS, the SA National Archives online index, doesn’t mean the ancestor did not spend some time in South Africa. It could be that his activities didn’t generate any public records, or that his sojourn was brief and he remained invisible as far as records were concerned.

If you’re searching for a deceased estate, bear in mind that not everyone who died in South Africa had an estate file lodged with the Master of the Supreme Court. Where there are minimal assets – literally no ‘estate’ – a deceased estate file would not be opened. The death might have occurred within the last 20-30 years, in which case there would be no reference on NAAIRS: the file would be at the Master’s Office in the area where death occurred. Incidentally, there’s no legal or other obligation for the Master to send estate files to archival repositories at any stage; it’s incorrect to speak of deceased estate files being automatically ‘transferred’ to archival repositories.

The ancestor, contrary to what you or your family believe, may not have died in South Africa but moved on elsewhere or even returned to his place of origin: emigrants were extremely mobile.

The name you are looking for might not be correct: quite apart from variations in spelling names were sometimes changed completely if a person wanted to start out with a clean slate in the colonies. Do some lateral thinking - he might have used his mother’s maiden name.

If his time in the country pre-dates 1834 you won’t find a death notice for him.

Ordering copies of SA Archival Documents

If you’ve found a relevant reference to your ancestor on NAAIRS and need copies of file contents consider using the document ordering facility offered by eGGSA

See FAQ www.eggsa.org/sales/help_archive_docs.htm

The only repository not covered by this service is the Cape Town Archive Repository (KAB) who offer their own copying service.

Documents can be obtained through eGGSA from Pietermaritzburg (NAB) for Natal, Durban (TBD), Bloemfontein (VAB) for the Orange Free State and Pretoria (TAB) for the Transvaal.

Tracing an ancestor in the South African Constabulary

If your ancestor served in the South African Constabulary (SAC), his Record of Conduct and Service is an important source of information. 

These personnel files provide the individual’s full name, birthplace and date, a detailed physical description, his marital status, occupation, religion, list of promotions or transfers, any medical reports, date of and reason for discharge, address in cases of change of location, as well as name and address of next-of-kin. Should he have defaulted in any way during his period of service that will show in the record. 

The South African Constabulary was established to keep law and order in the Transvaal, Orange River Colony (Orange Free State) and Swaziland. It was a semi-military force recruited from British men in the Cape and Natal as well as from further afield – Britain, Australia, New Zealand, India and Ceylon. Over 1200 Canadians served in the SAC; their records are held in South Africa.

There are 9 452 Records of Conduct and Service files held in the National Archives, Pretoria. These are indexed and reflected on NAAIRS at www.national.archives.gov.za  under the database TAB. Search on your ancestor’s name to find the full file reference.

To access the record or acquire a digital copy of the contents, rather than attempting to involve the various SA archival repositories directly, it’s advisable to delegate to a private researcher or alternatively to use the eggsa document-ordering facility. For more about the latter see http://www.eggsa.org/sales/help_archive_docs.htm

In the Free State the SAC, initially known as the ORC (Orange River Contingent) was later (1908 - 1913) the ORC Police. Filmed records are available via FamilySearch: read more at

https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/543629?availability=Family%20History%20Library

About 5 000 service records of the Free State Police (FSP) are held in Free State Archives and these are also indexed on NAAIRS under the database VAB.

South African Constabulary

Wreck of the steamer Australian: Table Bay, March 1854

The South Australian Register, Adelaide, Saturday, June 3 1854.

ACCIDENT TO THE STEAMER AUSTRALIAN

A report was current in town yesterday that the A.U.M.S.N. Co.'s screw steamer Australian was wrecked in Table Bay, the Cape of Good Hope. This rumour, though exaggerated, was founded in fact. The Australian struck on a rock at the entrance of Table Bay, on March 30th, while entering the harbour. The intelligence of the disaster was brought to Melbourne by the schooner Caroline,which left Cape Town on the 2nd of April.

The Cape Town Mercantile Advertiser of April 1st contains the following account of the accident:

The Australian steamer arrived at the Cape from Australia on Thursday morning, the 28th March, but unfortunately went ashore on the rocks between the two lighthouses; the guns which she fired very speedily brought assistance, and her mails and passengers were very soon landed, as well as the gold which she conveyed, about 100,851 ounces. She has been lightened as much as possible, and every exertion has been made to get her off at high water, but as yet without effect; as, however, she is an iron vessel, and at present makes no water, hopes are entertained by some that she may be restored to her proper element, specially if the weather continues favourable, and the assistance of the Die [?] steamer be made available, for which purpose it is rumoured she is to come round from Symon's Bay.

PASSENGERS

The Australian had the following passengers from this colony on board:

Mr. and Mrs. Hagen, child and servant

Mr. and Mrs.Judah Moss Solomon, three children and servant

Mr. and Mrs. Marks and servant

Mr.Leigh

Mr. Peak

Captain Corbett

Mr. and Mrs. Birdseye.

The following extract is from a letter from Mr. J. M. Solomon to Mr. Isaac Solomon of this city: 

"Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope, April 1st, 1854. 

A vessel is this moment going to sail, and the whole of the family must excuse my not writing, as this letter will answer for all. We are now cast on shore, the Australian being on the rocks at the entrance of this place. We entered it at 1 o'clock on Thursday morning. I was on deck, but the family all in bed. We struck on the rocks where she now lies, and will, I expect, go to pieces in the first gale of wind. I had time to get the whole of the family into the boats, and every soul got on board different vessels in the bay until day light. We were on board the Royal Shepherdess,and met with every kindness and attention. We succeeded in getting our luggage at an expense of about £25. Had it not been a calm night every soul would have been lost. We are all well, thank God,quite well, and happy at our providential escape. I expect we shall have to find our way to England the best way we can, at our own expense. We can still get on board the ship, but if the wind comes from north-west I think she must be dashed to pieces. The cause of the accident is one of the lighthouses not being lighted."

Another passenger writes as follows:

"Cape Town, 1st April, 1354. 

Dear Sir — We are in the way of ill-luck, having been shipwrecked coming into the Cape. We left immediately the ship struck, and were most kindly received on board the Royal Shepherdess till daylight, when I returned to the wreck and cleared out our cabin. The next day I got the bulk of our luggage from the hold, and yesterday all the remainder, excepting one package, which I believe is safe. M. is pretty well, although much fatigued. We had no cause of immediate alarm, excepting in the act of getting into the boats. When daylight came, we found the ship had run so close ashore that men for a lark waded in and touched her at low water. With the usual mystery observed by Capt. Gilmore, no cause for the mistake has been assigned, or rather it has not reached my ears (excepting perhaps that the lighthouse was so dim, and the lights on shore so bright that they could not be distinguished from one another ; but this I believe is only a surmise of the reasons he could give). We went ashore between two lighthouses a quarter or half-a-mile apart. They have been trying to get the ship off, but it seems hopeless. Mr. J. Snooke [a crew member?] is dead." 

Note: Grounded near the lighthouse at Green Point, the Australian was refloated after several days. Passengers, mail and the gold she was carrying were landed.

Undelivered mail recovered from the wreck of the Australian. Cover endorsed
'Per Steam Ship Australian', with Adelaide Paid date stamp.  

www.grosvenorauctions.com/dyn_pages/historic_sale_summary.php?Foreign_sub_cat_Code=Ship+Wrecks

Passengers to Australia from Natal: Golden Age 1854

Golden Age departure for Australia Natal Mercury July 12 1854

The Natal Mercury announced on 12 July 1854 that the barque Golden Age (Captain W Jones) would at last depart for Melbourne after being unfortunately detained for several days - reasons for the delay are not given. She carried about 50 passengers, Natal settlers leaving the Colony for fresh opportunities in Australia.

The strongly negative comments published in the same paper on 1 February of that year apparently did not change the Golden Age passengers' minds about their destination. Under the heading 'Australia', an emigrant from Natal to that colony warns against considering the 'perilous adventure': he has nothing good to say about the climate, the health hazards, high rents, or the crime rate. Even the gold diggings, the main incentive for settlers removing from Natal to Australia at this period, are described in disappointing, even scathing, terms.* Nevertheless, the Golden Age did sail as planned, with several children on board. 

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

SAILED
July 12 - Golden Age, bq [barque] 
W Jones - for Melbourne - 

Natal Mercury 12 July 1854

PASSENGERS 
W Gallians 
Mr Bayley and two children 
H Baker, wife and two children 
J Matters, wife and four children 
J McGully 
HJ Gale, wife and children 
G St. Paul 
J Forman 
E Standish 
Mrs Glover and three children 
R Short 
JS Erwood 
J Cuthbert 
E Dubois 
J Clark 
J Canning and wife 
W Fuller 
Charles Richards 
Donald McPhail 
R Mathew 
Mrs Williams and two children 
C Owen 
T Poynton, wife and child 
R Parker 
Whitaway 
Dineley


IN PORT 
Heath, bq. 307 tons, - W Wightman - for Colombo 
John Millar and Co. agents. 
Queen, schr. 104 tons - R Thomson - for Mauritius 
EP Lamport, agent.

VESSELS EXPECTED 
Natal, scr.-stm. 700 tons - from Table Bay 
E Snell, agent. 
Leontine Mary, schr. 29 tons - G Henwood 
E Snell, agent.

FOR MAURITIUS 
The A1 Schooner 'Queen', Captain R Thomson; in order to give Shippers to England time to collect cargo, will make an intermediate voyage to the above place, and will sail on Saturday the 15th instant. 
For Freight to and back from Mauritius apply to EP Lamport. 
Durban, 5th July 1854.


*From the Natal Mercury 1 February 1854:

AUSTRALIA
The following extracts from the letter of a Natal Emigrant to Australia, received by the last Mail, may supply useful cautions to those who meditate a like perilous adventure.

'So long as you can gain anything more than a living, I wouldn't advise any married man to come here. Illness has been universal and a doctor's bill is no joke, I have incurred £5 myself, besides awful rheumatics. You know of course that Byrne is here, a storekeeper at the diggings. I was at Geelong, in Court, the other day when he was called as a witness, but in coming down he broke his leg, and couldn't appear. Rents are frightful, £100 per annum, for one room, and I have to live besides three miles from town at another rent. 

Geelong is worse than Melbourne, nine inches in mud, in short the place and the climate is as bad as it can be, I have not met one who likes it. I believe you will soon have some of our people back again, some are at the diggings, but I have not heard of any doing well. The only persons who can ensure a living well, are carpenters, masons, and hard working labourers. Labourers who can stand any climate, - they get, - the former, £1 to £1 5s. and labourers 10s to 15s per day, but expenses are in proportion, nevertheless they do exceedingly well. Professional men are cheap enough and get cheaper every day.

'Trade is the way to make money. If I had capital I could double it every two months with safety. There is no comfort to be purchased. I send you a paper to show you the way we commit robberies here. We don't steal a few paltry pounds, but 2,300 ounces of gold. I may tell you that the escort from the diggings has been stopped, and 2,300 ozs of gold taken, the escort consisting of eight troopers, all shot dead but one; so says the report at present. They were attacked by 20 bushrangers, and shot from behind the trees. It is a common thing for one man to rob another of from £200 to £500. Last week £1,000 was taken from a digger. 

My room is a back room, 10 x 9, stinks like a p....y: the yard behind is full of green slush and the front little better. When you hear grumblers in Natal, ask they if they are gaining a living; if they are, they are better a hundred times than those who are doing the same here. As for houses and stores they are not to be got. Talking of winter and not requiring warm clothing, I have nearly perished of cold. All that they have written about this colony as to climate is lies, lies, lies, from beginning to end. Every imaginable disease rides rampant here, and a few extra ones to boot. Grown people die, and children won't live.'

The End of the Rainbow: Golden Square 1857 by George Rowe
Australian gold diggings

Passengers to Australia from Natal cont: Sarah Bell 1852

Australian Gold Diggings 1855

SARAH BELL Durban - Melbourne December 1852

Cabin passengers
Alloway
Dimock, Dr George, Sarah, and servant
Halloway, John

Steerage passengers
Bowlan, J
Braithwaite, CJ
Bryan, James, Rebecca, and child
Bush, Thomas
Carroll, W
Carruthers, Joseph Swan
Crocker, William
Dacomb, Joseph
Field, J
Gibbons, Thomas
Gilland, J
Greaves, John W, Anne
Grice, Waltham
Harrison,
Hutchinson, J
Iliffe, William Gregory
Kirkham, J
Luke, Charles, and Dr Henry Joseph
McKnight, James
Marshall, Cuthbert, and William
Nowell, Frederick
Pasford, W
Phillips, Samuel Vincent Price, and Harriet JS
Phillpott,
Richardson, Richard, Anne E, and child
Rolfe, J, and wife
Scotson, Samuel
Searle, E
Smith, G
Tucker, Alfred Octavius
Turnbull, Adam
Walker, John, Esther, and three children
Warwick, Edward
Webber, J
Willis, James, wife and two children
Wilson, William Donald

Passenger Lists Natal: Iris 1852

Natal Witness 2 January 1852

SHIPPING COMMERCIAL AND AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE

SAILED

Natal Witness 2 January 1852

Kellermont, Captain Shaw, to Port Elizabeth

Rosebud, Captain A. Murison, to Cape Town

INSIDE

Gem, J. Proudfoot, agent

Devonian, E. P. Lamport, agent

ARRIVED

Iris, Captain Dobson. 

The following is a List of the Passengers:

CABIN

Surgeon - Mr. J. H. H. Lewellin, wife, 3 children

Messrs. G. T. and Henry Lee

Mr. Wm. Henry Middleton and wife

Mr. Vivian

Mr. Charles Thomas Wheelwright

Miss Shuttleworth

INTERMEDIATE

Miss Sophia Hawkins

Mr. Thomas Cope and wife

Mr Wm. Hill Allen

Mr. J. Grant

Mr. T. Grant

Mr. E. Holland, wife, and 6 children

Mr. J. C. Slatter, wife, and 3 children

Mr. Wm. Slatter, and son

Mr. Wm. Bullock, and 5 children

Mr. West, wife, and 4 children

Mr. Simmons

Mr. Martin

Mr. Withington, wife, and 2 children

Mr. Jeremiah Wilson

Mr. Martin Hirsch

Mr. Moritz Hirsch

Mr. Samuel Parish

Mr. George Gain

Total - 44 (56 listed, including all the children)

Early settler dwellings at Port Natal:
wattle and daub under thatch

For more on 1850s lifestyle at Natal enter 'Eliza Feilden' in the search facility.

Boy emigrants from Redhill Farm School: Edgell

The Edgell Story: guest post by Peter Bathe

There are occasions when following the trail of an ancestor that another person is encountered who, although not related, was a colleague/friend/acquaintance of that ancestor. It can be both rewarding and revealing to follow this person’s life, not least because sometimes fresh discoveries can be made for the main line of research.

One such case happened while I followed the life of my great grandfather and I encountered John Joseph William Edgell.

Brislington nr Bristol

John Edgell was born in 1850 in a small village on the outskirts of Bristol called Brislington. He was the oldest of six boys born to Joseph Edgell, a labourer, and his wife Susan (nee Tucker).

By the time John was six years old, the family had moved the few miles to Bath. It was here that John started working as an errand boy for an auctioneer, but at the age of 11 he was convicted of larceny of his master’s property.

House of Correction, Coldbath Square

He was sentenced to spend 14 days imprisoned at the Bath House of Correction followed by detention in a reformatory for four years.

Thus it was that on 26 December 1861 John arrived at the Philanthropic Society’s reformatory, the Redhill Farm School in Surrey, where he would have met my great grandfather, George Bathe, for the first time (George had started his own sentence there a couple of months earlier).

Redhill Farm School, Surrey

It was the Farm School’s policy to encourage suitable boys to emigrate to the colonies at the end of their sentences – particularly to Canada, but also to Natal and Cape Colony. John and my grandfather were both deemed good material as colonists and so on 27 October 1865, they sailed together on the brig Lord Clarendon and arrived in Durban on 2 February the following year.

Passenger list of the Lord Clarendon, Natal Mercury 6 February 1866.
3rd line down shows 2 Redhill emigrants Bathe and Edgell - misspelt Bashe and Edgar.

When the boys arrived they were taken into the care of the Society’s agent in Durban, Frederick James Dickinson. He reported back to the School on 8 February: 'Bathe & Edgell are stopping a few days with me on the Berea until I send them to their places – one to a coffee planter 30 miles away, on the coast, the other to a sheep farmer 140 miles away near Grey Town.'

It was John who was sent to the coffee planter – W A Remnant at Shortlands, Verulam. John was to be an overseer of the African and Indian workers on the estate. He worked a 12-hour day and also looked after horses and poultry – all for £1 a month initially.

Bishop Colenso:
 cartoon by Pellegrini

Over the next few years, John often wrote to the School’s chaplain, telling him about his life on the farm and odd snippets of news about other former pupils who were in Natal, one or two of whom appear to have slipped back into criminal ways. He also spoke of events in the colony, such as the gold diggings and the controversy about Bishop Colenso, whom he described as 'a very nice man'.

However, one letter at the end of November 1866 was to Frederick Dickinson in Durban asking how to send some money back to his mother: 'I want to send £5 or 6 to my mother. Father was killed on Sept 11 by a Dray passing over his head. He jumped from the cart he was driving & falling was killed instantly. Mother is very ill & very poor. Tell me how I must send it home. Mr Remnant’s gone up country so cannot send the money until next mail. Am thankful to feel that I have one kind friend in Natal.'

A few months later he was again writing to Mr Dickinson: 'My mother wants to send out one of my younger brothers. Can you get him a place? Another has gone to friends in America.'

In fact, the following year, John’s mother and the other brothers all went to live in the USA, but sadly one of the brothers 'was kicked to death by a young colt near New York' a year later.

Coffee plantation

John’s early years with the Remnants seem to have been happy and prosperous. He was made manager of the estate which in 1868 'had above 30,000 coffee trees & shall have 8 tons of coffee this year & 40 tons next. We are going to plant tobacco.' By 1870, he had an average of 70 men and women to supervise.

The following year he wrote, 'We fielded 12 tons of it last year. I have 100 acres to attend to. I shall get about £50 a year & provide for myself & live in Master’s house.” Then later: “We have picked at the rate of 1 ton an acre of clean coffee for 14 acres. From the remainder, 24 tons clean or above 300 tons in the press, & have to look after nearly 100 hands. For June I paid £52 in wages, some men having 8/-, 9/-, 14/- a mo. I have a furnished house of my own & a horse to ride.'

He was doing so well he was sending donations to the Chapel fund for the Redhill School and offered a half sovereign for the best boy in his old school house, Queen’s.

But in 1872 there seems to have been a downturn in his fortunes and he wrote: 'I am no richer than when I came only get £6 a mo & feed & clothe myself & clothes are very dear.' Then 'I am 22 today I have no increase in my pay and can save nothing, things are dearer than ever. I shall have to look out for another place.'

The following year, 'No increase of pay, tho I have been here 8 years. Only brickmakers & carpenters flourish here,' and finally, 'Crops are very poor, Coffee crop as bad as last year. Nearly all are turning to sugar growing. My wages are very low. My brother in America, 4 years younger, gets far higher wages than mine at ordinary work.'

Unfortunately, I haven't copies of any of his later letters but things may have improved sufficiently for him to marry in 1881 in Verulam. His wife was Lucy Caroline Dawtrey who originally came from Halifax in Yorkshire.

Marriage record: John Joseph William Edgell and Lucy Caroline Dawtrey
at Verulam, Natal,1881 *

John obviously gained a good working knowledge of the Indian languages while working at the Remnants’ farm, because in 1889 he applied for the post of Hindustani and Tamil interpreter to The Supreme Court of Natal. He died in 1907.

And how did John Edgell help in my own family history research? In a few of his letters he mentions my great grandfather and added to my knowledge of him. For example:

2 August 1870: 'I saw Bathe a month since. He has gone with the Regt to the Mauritius. He is a smart looking fellow, the tallest but one in his company. He is lance corporal & earned 30/- for shooting.'

21 April 1871: 'I have heard from Bathe at the Cape.'

All I knew was that after he had left the sheep farmer in Grey Town, he joined the army, went to Mauritius with his regiment sometime in 1870 and then returned to the UK at the beginning of 1872. Now I know more precisely when he went to Mauritius and the fact that for a time his regiment was at the Cape. But it is the personal details of his height, rank and earnings which were particularly fascinating.

George never returned to South Africa but he and John did keep in contact for some while afterwards.

Note: Thanks to Peter Bathe for the series of interesting and informative articles on these Redhill emigrants. For further posts on this topic enter Redhill in the blog search facility at top left of page.


* "South Africa, Natal Province, Civil Marriages, 1845-1955," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11603-13676-65?cc=2063749&wc=M9WM-PP1:n2003075036 : accessed 13 Oct 2013), 004236412 > image 1 of 762.

Natal Witness Deaths 1897

Name, Gender, Age, Date of Event, Date of Advert, Details

Albrechtsem, Alfred August m no age given, no date given, 5-Feb-1897,

The funeral of the late AA Albrechtsem will leave his residence, 313 Berg Street,

PMBurg today at 5.30 pm

Allan, Thomas m 70, 2-Jan-1897, 4-Jan-1897,

at Blanche Villa, Ladysmith after a long and painful illness

Ballenden, William McLeod m  46, 7-Feb-1897, 8-Mar-1897,

at Salisbury, Mashonaland, British South Africa, second son of the late John Ballenden

Esq. of the Hudson Bay Co. (Canadian, Ceylon and Scotch Papers please copy)

Barker, Lancelot Eustace m 18, 24-Jan-1897, 1-Feb-1897

at the Parsonage, Ladysmith youngest son of Archdeacon and Mrs Barker

Bradley, Rachel  f  79, 3-Jan-1897, 4-Jan-1897,

at the residence of her son, 45 Henrietta Street, PMBurg, relict of the late John William

Harries, formerly of Wolverhampton, Engalnd (English papers please copy)

Brereton, Emily Elizabeth  f  37, 10-Feb-1897, 12-Feb-1897,

at the Sanitorium, Berea Durban,  buried in the Cemetery, PMBurg

Buck, R S  f  67yrs 7mnths, 5-Jan-1897, 11-Jan-1897,

Widow of the late CS Buck of Natal, one of Natal's oldest colonists

Burges, Gertrude Travers  f  no age given, 23-Jan-1897, 25-Feb-1897,

at her residence, Keynsham, Somersetshire, England, second daughter of the late

Danield Burges, Clifton, Bristol, England

Burges, Isabel Travers  f  8 years, 2-Mar-1897, 29-Mar-1897,

at Ilfracombe, Devonshire, England, daughter of FT and MH Burges, Howick, Natal

Cartwright, John Webster m 86yrs 11mnths, 4-Jan-1897, 11-Jan-1897,

at the residence of his son

Comins, Joseph m 16, 13-Feb-1897, 23-Feb-1897,

Born 21 November, 1880

Craigie, John Esq. M.D. m no age given, 2-Feb-1897, 6-Feb-1897,

at his residence, "Fair View Tower" PMBurg, the son of David Craigie Esq.

Captain R.N. C.B. and formerly of Knoll House near Honiton, England

Daly, James Martin m 24, 25-Mar-1896, 25-Mar-1897,

In affectionate rememberance of JM Daly who was murdered on the Bubi Matabelelad

25 March 1896

Denhill, Walter m 33yr 5mn 22dys, 15-Feb-1897, 23-Feb-1897,

at Smuts Oog Store, District Ermelo, A.A.R. of diptheria, sixth son of William Denhill,

Sevenfontein, PMBurg, County Natal

Dowsett, James Seby m 2yrs 5mnths, 28-Dec-1896, 1-Jan-1897,

at 508 Prince Alfred Street, only son of A and E Dowsett

Ellerker, Eliza  f  52, 12-Jan-1897, 16-Jan-1897,

at the residence 197 Loop Street, PMBurg, wife of T Ellerker (senior)

Elliott, Bethia Doris  f  18 months, 11-Mar-1897, 25-Mar-1897,

at Nondweni Gold fields, Zululand the infant daughter of FG and Bethia Mary Elliott

Ellis, W F  71, 3-March-1897, 5-Mar-1897,of Ashburton House

Ferguson, Elizabeth Robins  f  no age given, 14-Jan-1897, 21-Jan-1897,

At Ridge Road, Cato Manor, Durban, wife of JF Ferguson of Durban

Firmstone, William Francis m no age given, 16-Feb-1897, 20-Feb-1897,

At Ngoka, near Newcastle, Natal (Justice of the Peace)

Fynney, Doris May  f 1mnth 13days, 13-Mar-1897, 16-Mar-1897,

at Elsdale, Umsindusi the infant daughter of Oswald and Gertrude Fynney

Geddes, James m 32yrs 4mnths, no date given, 1-Jan-1897,

at 473 Church Street PMBurg

Goodeve, Henry Holley m 27, 23-Jan-1897, 26-Jan-1897,

at Grey's Hospital, PMBurg, only son of Col. HH Goodeve R.A. Ivy Tower,

Tenby, South Wales, UK

Grantham, m 3yrs 2dys, 19-Jan-1897, 21-Jan-1897,

at PMBurg by accident the beloved younger son of WL and FS Grantham

Hunter, Peter, (J.P.) m 63yrs 22dys, 21-Dec-1896, 5-Jan-1897,

at the Rest, Seven Mile Bush

Illing, Dirk Cornelius m infant, 10-Jan-1897, 13-Jan-1897,

at Dundee Coalfields, infant son of August Illing

Jardine, Mrs  f  86yrs 10mnth, 11-Mar-1897, 18-Mar-1897,

at Willow Bank, widow of the late Mr John Jardine

Johnson, Herbert Rountree (Bertie) m 25yrs 6 mnths, 13-Mar-1897, 18-Mar-1897,

at PMBurg second son of FW and M Johnson

Kenny, Catherine  f  50yrs 11mnths, 23-Feb-1897, 27-Feb-1897,

at her residence, Lyndhurst, Slang Spruit, widow of the late John Michael Kenny

(Irish papers please copy)

Lamb, Elizabeth  f  66, 12-Feb-1897, 24-Feb-1897,

at Townlands, near PMBurg beloved wife of G Lamb

Language, George m 41, 30-Jan-1897, 4-Feb-1897,

at Boom Street, PMBurg

Proudfoot, Mary  f  no age given, 23-Feb-1897, 8-Mar-1897,

at Troyville, Johannesburg the wife of Thomas Proudfoot and daughter of the late George Ross of Riversdale, Howick, Natal

Sibthorp, William Henry m 85, 7-Nov-1896, 13-Jan-1897,

at Honchurch

Sinfell, Mary Jane  f  30, no date given, 13-Jan-1897,

at the residence of her uncle Mr George H Chick, 7 Railway Street, PMBurg,

eldest daughter of the late Charles and Mary Grace Sinfell of Cornubia, Victoria County

Taylor, CE   f  64, 3-Dec-1896, 13-Jan-1897,

at Greytown, relict of the late Rev Thomas Taylor

Taylor, WR no age given, 21-Jan-1897, 26-Jan-1897,

at PMBurg, late of Fort Salisbury

Tranmer, Leander William m, 2mnth 2dys, 14-Feb-1897, 17-Feb-1897,

at 97 Commercial Road PMBurg, son of JW and JA Tranmer

Van Rooyan, Maria Jacoba  f  79, 17-Dec-1896, 1-Jan-1897,

at Greytown, the widow of the late PH Van Rooyan of Vaalkrans, Umvoti

Von Der Heyde, Leopold m 59, 28-Feb-1897, 6-Mar-1897,

at "Croydon", Harding

Wilkinson, Margaret  f  no age given, 14-Feb-1897, 15-Feb-1897,

The beloved wife of GH Wilkinson of Town Bush Valley

Wright, Elizabeth  f  82, 9-Feb-1897, 13-Feb-1897,

at the residence of her son-in-law Joseph Pascoe, Berea Durban

relict of the late Leonard Wright, PMBurg