Early Durban views: West Street

West Street Durban looking west: no tar on the roads, which could be a quagmire in wet weather, horse- and ox-drawn vehicles predominate, some trees remain alongside the road, all of these would disappear as West Street developed.

New to South African genealogy research?

If you are just starting to put a toe gingerly into the murky waters of South African family history research, take a look at the Beginners' Guide on this Blog:

http://molegenealogy.blogspot.co.za/p/beginners-guide-to-south-african.html

This offers useful tips on sources and procedures to be followed during your search, giving an introduction to the topic - where to start and what your aims should be. What is a deceased estate, what is the difference between a Death Notice and a Death Certificate, how to obtain certificates in South Africa - and much more.

I do not undertake private research for others but you could check the list of professional researchers for all provinces given on the NAAIRS site at 

http://www.national.archives.gov.za/NARS%20DMLIB%208372%20March%202012.pdf


Happy Hunting!

Young woman photographed by H Kisch

Season's Greetings

Happy Christmas to all blog visitors and followers and
May your New Year be Full of Light

Best Wishes from Mole

Souvenir Saturday: HMS Southampton at Port Natal June 1842

Engraving by Thomas Bowler
HMS Southampton at anchor near the Bluff, Durban, and firing on
the rebellious Dutch who held the British under siege
at the Port.

For more on this incident see
web.archive.org/web/20070505065951/http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/conch.htm

Souvenir Saturday: Durban West Street before the motor-car

A peal for the Waratah: 15 December 2016

It is 107 years ago on 15 December that the Lutine Bell pealed, announcing the loss of SS Waratah.

‘On 15 December 1909, the Waratah was officially posted as missing. Lloyd’s of London’s most famous symbol, the Lutine Bell was rung, heralding the announcement of the loss of the SS Waratah to underwriters and brokers. This action from Lloyd’s of London was profoundly final.’

Interior view of the Lloyd's of London, London 

showing the Lutine Bell, housed in the Rostrum.

In the main Underwriting Room of Lloyd's stands the Lutine bell, which was struck when the fate of a ship "overdue" at its destination port became known. If the ship was safe, the bell would be rung twice; if it had sunk, the bell would be rung once. This had the practical purpose of immediately stopping the sale or purchase of "overdue" reinsurance on that vessel. Nowadays it is only rung for ceremonial purposes, such as the visit of a distinguished guest, or for the annual Remembrance Day service and anniversaries of major world events.

Costume in early Natal 1850s

This is a beautiful portrait of sitter Charlotte Rose, It is difficult to tell whether it is an ambrotype or a tintype without holding the photograph in one's hand, I would suggest an ambrotype but perhaps a little flat as to colour. She is wearing the undersleeves and dropped shoulder bodice of the fifties. Middle parting another clue as to date. We cannot see much of her skirt but it would be crinoline style..
Checking on dates I find that tintypes did not come into use until about 1863, which would be too late for the costume in this picture - so that decides the ambrotype issue.

Costume in early Natal: 1860s

Fashion plate 1869: by this time, with more regular shipping arrivals, the ladies of Natal were able to peruse the fashion magazines and keep up with trends overseas.

Costume in early Natal 1850

The lady's bonnet was the basis for the sunbonnet or 'kappie'
 worn by Dutch/Afrikaner women which evolved into a traditional
form of headgear - however, its origins were the English bonnet as seen here.
These fashions would have been in the forefront of trendiness when Natal's
settlers left England to journey to Natal ca late 1840s/50s. Their outfits were made
to last until completely outmoded, old gowns being unpicked and restitched, young boys' garments being cut down and made up to fit the child.
As to the gentleman's outfit, it would have been out of place for a farmer
in the Natal Midlands, who would wear drill trousers and calico shirt in the field, possibly with a  straw sunhat.

Souvenir Saturday Durban 1855

West Street Durban 1855: engraving