PRESERVATION OF DOCUMENTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

There are a variety of leaflets available online on the preservation of your family documents and photographs at The National Preservation Office The British Library

Some of these are:

• Cleaning books and documents (PDF format) 100KB
• Good handling principles and practice for library and archive materials (PDF format) 97KB
• Guidance for exhibiting archive and library materials (PDF format) 101KB
• Packing and moving library and archive collections (PDF format) 97KB
• Photocopying of library and archive materials (PDF format) 93KB
• Preservation of photographic material (PDF format) 40KB
• Prevention and treatment of mould outbreaks in collections (PDF format) 86KB
• Specifying library and archive storage (PDF format) 117KB
• Understanding and caring for bookbindings (PDF format) 645KB.

The British Museum holds over 13 million books, 920 000 journal and newspaper titles, 57 million patents, 3 million sound recordings and much more. They should know.

• Saul Issroff of London provided the website address through Rootsweb (south-africa@rootsweb.com). Readers should consider subscribing to this forum. Its provides very useful information. You may also ask for help on any genealogical subject.
  

"MY WÊRELD, MAAR DIE MENSE MAAK MOOI GOED"

The above words by Marianne van der Merwe, summarised the Branch's mini-exhibition of genealogical work on Saturday, 17 November 2007. Marianne was one of the guests at this event.

To a certain extent the day lead to a new era for the branch. More such days will be held
to meet the needs of members. Members and friends of the branch have expressed the wish to learn how to transform their information into a readable and usable format.

Twenty-five people attended. It was less than was expected. The guess is that some members were slightly apprehensive to share their work with others. It was interesting to note that, although more visitors attended than was the case with ordinary branch meetings, less members were present.

Above: Penny Evans and Bob Saunders have a look at some of Penny's work. Penny stayed much later than she had initially intended.

The exhibition included various family registers, completed and partly completed family history books, demonstrations on computers of family slide shows and genealogical data capturing programmes, filing systems and much more.

The variety of implementation methods indeed underscored the words of Frank Sinatra's song: "I did it my way".

Right: Nita du Plessis and Noreen Surmon look at the latter's hand written family history book.

It was these different "ways" that intrigued people.

That really was the intention of the day -- to see how others record their genealogical records and to get tips and ideas.

One guest that drew attention was Noreen Surmon (86). She is a genealogist and historian of note. She implemented her vast knowledge of South African history to the compilation of two comprehensive books on the history of the Surmons. Much of it is hand written -- proving that genealogy does not necessarily have to be done on computer.

Left: Margaret Humphries explained to Myra Bosch her filing system. She said she spent many hours on filing and can lay her hands on any information of any family member at any time.

One idea that some found interesting was that of Margaret Deacon, a visitor. She is novice in genealogy. One of the first things she did was to collect DNA samples of her family. To do this, she merely put a hair and a saliva swab of the family member in a sealed plastic bag and froze it.

"The role of DNA in genealogy is increasing. In time to come it could be of major importance in family research. Obviously it may later be useful for other purposes as well -- who knows," she said.

Many discussions were held about computer programmes. It was clear that people wanted know what is available and were curious and keen to know "how did you do that".

Right: Frans Viljoen and a visitor, Margaret Deacon in a discussion.

To summarise his experiences, Bob Saunders, a committee member, wrote as follows:

"Today's meeting was a good one, despite the lack of support from so many of our regulars and the branch in general.

"I think those of us who had the luxury of milling about and looking at what was presented today, probably learnt a whole lot more than we actually realise. I was so impressed with the two tomes that formed the family saga of Noreen Surmon. The work oozes an aura of its own personality purely and simply because it was put together with loving hands, and breathes the history in a mixture of free form prose and structured pieces interwoven with frozen moments in time, and artwork and illustration, captioned phographs and anecdotes, quotations and the like. Mixed media and illustration (be it the pictures and photographs or the artwork) made all the difference I think."

Left: Louise Dick, Marianne van der Merwe and Lucas Rinken, views a slide show of "Die Losieshuis van 33 en 33A Ameshoffstraat, Braamfontein, Johannesburg", a history of the boarding house of Japie Bosch's parents in the 1950's.

"I think Penny Evans got more than she hoped for in terms of help and advice. I think she enjoyed looking at what others had done, as she shared with me, initially, that she didn't think she would spend too much time at the meeting, and then, eventually, ended up being there all afternoon.

"So for a dry run we must have done something right and something good.

"Japie Bosch of course kept on telling me, " Watter oulike idees" I have got. "Wel ou maat, watter oulike idees het jy nie mee vorendag gekom nie. The photo montage of the Bosch family home of your youth, and the movie clips of your sister - are to say the least, inspiring. I don't believe a single person was not inspired by what you have done.

"So those who did not pitch today, are the poorer for it. Until the next one, I hope we get some feedback from those who did attend today."

INTERESSANTHEDE UIT DIE e-SAGI (8)

‘n Besondere gesin

Deur Lucas Rinken

Onlangs, met 'n besoek aan die “Family History Centre” van die Mormoonse Kerk in Parktown, Johannesburg, het ek toevallig op 'n boekrak “DIE BRINK-FAMILIE VAN SUID AFRIKA” gesien. My ma se middelste suster uit die vyf susters was juis met Oom Bey Brink getroud.

Oom Bey het my vertel dat hy verwant was aan die skrywer André P. BRINK en sy suster Elsabé STEENBERG * BRINK.

Dit bring my by 'n besondere gesin.

Die vader was ‘n landdros. Die oudste seun, André P. (Philippus) BRINK is 'n baie bekend in Afrikaanse literêre kringe.

André P Brink (links) is op 29 Mei 1935 op Vrede in die Vrystaat gebore en is tans hoogleraar in Engels aan die Universiteit van Kaapstad. “Hy is een van die mees veelsydige figure in die Suid-Afrikaanse literêre bedryf: romanskrywer, dramaturg, reisverhaalskrywer, vertaler, letterkundige, kritikus, mentor, professor en polemikus. Sy romans is in meer as 30 tale vertaal, insluitend Serbo-Kroaties, Japanees, isiXhosa en Vietnamees.”

Bibliografie (onvolledig)

Romans: Lobola vir die lewe (1962), Die ambassadeur (1963), Orgie (1965), Miskien nooit (1967), Kennis van die aand (1973), 'n Oomblik in die wind (1975), Gerugte van reën (1978),
'n Droë wit seisoen (1979), Houd-den-bek (1982), Die muur van die pes (1984), Die eerste lewe van Adamastor (1986), Die kreef raak gewoond daaraan (1991), Inteendeel (1993), Sandkastele (1995), Duiwelskloof (1998), Donkermaan (2000), Anderkant die stilte (2002), Voor ek vergeet (2004), Bidsprinkaan (2005).

Dramas: Caesar (1961), Bagasie (1965), Elders mooi weer en warm (1965), Die Rebelle (1970),
Die verhoor (1970), Kinkels innie kabel (1971), Afrikaners is plesierig (1973), Bobaas van die boendoe (1973), Pavane (1974), Die hamer van die hekse (1976), Die Jogger (1997).

Reisverhale: Pot-pourri (1962), Sempre diritto (1963), Olé (1965), Midi (1969), Parys-Parys: retoer (1969), Fado (1970), Latynse reise (1990).

Sy bekenste aanhaling is: "When the conspiracy of lies surrounding me demands of me to silence the one word of truth given to me, that word becomes the one word I wish to utter above all others."

André P. was vier keer getroud en volgens die Brink boek, drie keer geskei.

Sy oudste seun, Anton, was ook ‘n bekende kunstenaar.

Ons lees: “Anton Brink is a versatile artist who has mastered a variety of styles, techniques and materials to create powerful artworks in 2 and 3 dimensions. He has worked and exhibited extensively internationally and has been represented in private and institutional collections in Europe, South Africa, Australia and the USA. Anton will be exhibiting his work at the Gallery in the Round Monument everyday of Festival.

Dan kom ons by André se suster Elsabé * 14.3.1938 + 14.5.1996. Sy is getrou met Prof. D.H. STEENBERG * 4.1.1937. En dis as Elsebé STEENBERG dat sy as skryfster van Afrikaanse Kinderverhale bekend is.

Daar is ‘n tweede suster, Marita, * 3.2.1945 maar ons weet nie meer van haar nie. Dan ook ‘n broer Daniël Johannes (Johan) ‘n professor in fisika.

"e-SAGI" staan vir "Elektroniese Genealogiese Indeks van Suid-Afrika".

• Bekom hierdie databasis met bykans 351 000 rekords. Altemit kry u u familie-inligting waarna u al so lank soek daarop. Dit is verkrygbaar op 'n kompakskyf (CD).
  
• Plaas bestellings by Dennis Pretorius by krugersdorp@pixie.co.za. Die prys is R120. Vorige aankopers kan die jongste weergawe teen 'n verminderde prys kry.

HOLIDAYS ARE A GOOD TIME TO GATHER FAMILY HISTORY

Whether you are just beginning a genealogy project or if you are a seasoned researcher, the holiday season can provide a wealth of opportunities for you to learn a little more about your family history. Holiday events tend to bring multiple generations of family members together, and what better time to have pen and paper or tape or digital recorder in hand to record some family stories?

Start out with some general questions: Where did your parents and grandparents meet? Why did your family settle in a particular area? What do your relatives remember about their grandparents and other deceased relatives? Do your older relatives recall attending major family events when they were younger, such as weddings, funerals and family reunions?

Let the conversation flow, especially if one topic reminds a relative of other information. Tell your relatives to feel free to contact you later if they remember anything else, and always, always thank them for the information they provide.

There are many books and Websites dedicated to interviewing loved ones. Online, check out Cyndi's List under the "Oral History & Interviews" section: http://www.cyndislist.com/oral.htm.

• Genealogy tips are provided by the Kentucky history staff of the Kenton County Public Library. Elaine Kuhn provided this tip.

Takkomitee, Wes-Gautengtak, 2007/2008

Bo links : Lucas Rinken, Voorsitter;

Bo regs: Japie Bosch, Onder-voorsitter;
Middel links: John Stephens, Sekretaris;
Middel regs: Kriek Fourie, Tesourier;
Onder links: Margaret Humphreys, Sosiale Aktiwiteite;
Onder middel: Louise Dick, Bibliotekaresse;
Onder regs: Bob Saunders, Bykomende Lid.

Klik op die foto's om dit te vergroot.

APTYTWEKKER VIR SATERDAG

Eerskomende Saterdag, 17 November 2007, hou die tak tydens sy maandvergadering 'n mini-uitstalling/werkwinkel oor lede se genealogiese werk. Daartydens sal lede en ander belangstellendes wys wat hulle met hul geneaogiese inligting doen en hoe hulle dit in 'n bruikbare/kykbare formaat omgesit het.

Dit is die laaste byeenkoms van die jaar.

Hieronder is 'n aanduiding wat teenwoordiges te wagte kan wees. Van die takkomiteelede vertel wat hulle saambring:

Lucas Rinken:

• Sy skootrekenaar en e-SAGI, 'n omvattende databasis wat byna 350 000 name bevat;
• Sy boek "The Ancestors of Lucas Gerhardus Rinken";
• Groot sirkeldiagramme van Genl. Christiaan Rudolph de WET en Lucas se verbintenis met die generaal. Dit is op AO-grootte-papier gedruk;
• 'n Vyf geslagte-fotosamestelling van die Rinkens.

Bob Saunders:

• Sy familieregister, soos dit tans lyk;
• Sy joernaal, bestaande uit sy notas en familiedokumente;
• Sy begraafplaas-opname te Bielaagte;
• Twee plakkate geskenk deur Don McArthur;
• ‘n Groot plakaat-stamregister van die Nichill-gesin (neefs van Bob se vrou) wat in Engeland opgestel is.

Japie Bosch:

• Sy onvoltooide publikasie, die “Bosch’e van Braamfontein”;
• 'n Skootrekenaar en 'n CD, saamgestel uit uittreksels van 8mm-films wat meer as 40 jaar gelede geneem is, oor “Die Kleintyd van Veronica Bosch” (gemaak met Windows Movie Maker);
• 'n CD met 'n foto-samestelling uit die 1950's oor die Bosch-losieshuis van Braamfontein.
  

Klik hier vir meer inligting oor die byeenkoms.

Teenwoordiges word vriendelik versoek om hul werk ook saam te bring, al is dit net 'n gedeelte en ver van volledig. Die idee is om by mekaar te leer en wenke te kry. Dit sal die dag maak!

As jy niks saambring nie, sal ons jou nie wegwys nie, maar dit sal minder pret wees.

NEEM KENNIS -- TAKE NOTE

Neem kennis dat u 'n e-pos van hierdie webtuiste af aan ons kan stuur. Doen dit deur bloot links bo op die kantkolom te klik. Die takbestuur verneem graag van u, in die besonder oor voorstelle rakende ons takvergaderings en die inhoud van die webtuiste. Dit is u tak, maak u voorstelle.

Take note that you can send an e-mail through this website to us. Merely click on the top left of the sidebar. The branch management would like to hear from you, in particular proposals regarding our branch meetings and the contents of the website. It is your branch, make your suggestions.

SOUNDS LIKE FUN!

"Sounds like fun!" was the reaction of genealogist Tessa King when she was informed about the next branch meeting on 17 November 2007.

What more do you want of a monthly meeting of a genealogy group?

In an e-mail sent out to all members Bob Saunders, a committee member, wrote as follows:

"Diarise 17 November as the first of a series of days of idea exchange and hands-on learning.

Please support this maiden "workshop" meeting in three ways:

• Firstly by attending;
• Secondly by participating (i.e. please bring part or all of your work to display and be prepared to share your expertise, discuss the work with others or answer questions relating to the work) and
• Thirdly by giving us feedback -- preferably by e-mail or letter so that we might assess the success or reformulate the idea to work for us all.

We would appreciate greatly your feedback and suggestions. Remember this is YOUR society, and we your committee. Your participation in the society is of great importance to your committee, which we aim to facilitate. Help us, help you!

Should you wish to correspond with your committee via e-mail, the addresses appear in the sidebar.

Click here for more information about what we have planned for 17 November 2007 as well as a map to the venue.

PRESERVING NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

By Wally Waits

Almost all families have a newspaper clipping they want to preserve. Sometimes it is an obituary. Alternatively, it might be an article about a Golden Wedding Anniversary or about a sports activity. Regardless of what the article is about, here are some thoughts on how to preserve a clipping.

If the clipping has not turned yellow, the best step is to take it to a photocopier. The copy made on a regular sheet of paper will last longer than the newsprint on which the article was first printed. Be sure to record on the copy the name of the newspaper, the date and the page if these are known.

Be sure to photocopy both sides when you are duplicating the article. This is especially important if the date and source of the original article is not recorded on the original article. Sometimes the details on the backside of a clipping help in identifying when and where the article was first published.

By photocopying the newsprint, one transfers the message to a paper lower in acid. The acid in the paper usually determines how long the clipping will last. Less acid in the paper means the document will last longer.

• Newsprint is a very inexpensive form of paper. Because of its manufacturing process, it has more acid in the paper than regular paper. The acid will slowly turn the clipping a light yellowish brown. Later the paper will turn to a darker brown before it starts to crumble.
  

There is one disadvantage to photocopying a newspaper article. Sometimes it is not possible to reproduce a newspaper photograph in the copying process. In cases like this, the option is to reduce the level of acid in the clipping.

Deadicification is what the process is called. There are sprays and solutions for this process. It is possible for a person with little training to use these. However, they really work best in a lab under expert supervision. This is because there has been a change in the composition of ink. Experts know how to test the clipping to learn which deacidifers will work and which will ruin the clipping.

Any deacidification effort is non-reversible. Once a change is made, it will not be possible to return to the original condition of the newspaper clipping.

If you are determined to keep the original clipping, isolation is the next best step. This keeps a clipping from touching other records, documents, photographs, etc.

For example, a common place to store an obituary is in a Bible. Over the years, the acid in the newsprint will migrate to the adjacent pages in the Bible. Soon a yellow spot will appear on the Bible pages on either side of the clipping. The yellow spots occur because the acid in the clipping migrated to the adjacent pages. The fibers in the Bible pages are now weakened. The same migration of acid will occur in a bank lock box, in a vertical file or in an envelope.

To isolate a clipping, place it in a folded sheet of paper. If you can, use acid-free paper. However, any paper that is lower in acid content will be better than doing nothing. Cut the paper to fit inside if you want to keep the clipping in a book. After it begins to age, the folded isolation sheet may be replaced.

Mementoes remind us of a former place and time. Dear family and friends leap to mind when we glance at a newspaper clipping.

HOW TO TRACE A DEATH

Question: Could somebody point me in the right direction to find a death in Johannesburg, some time in the 1980's or early 1990's. I need to find a will in the hope that will name any children from the marriage. -- Graham Sanders, London

Answer: The estate file for your person would be filed with the Master of the High Court, but there are quite a few Offices of the Master in the various major cities. Do you have an ID number for the person or at least a date of birth?

With an ID number and/or date of birth you can establish the date and place of death and then you can do a search at the respective office of the Master of the High Court.

The estate file will contain a Death Notice which will list the children of the deceased. -- From Dennis Pretorius, Krugersdorp, South Africa, Executive Member of the GSSA, Genealogical Researcher, Owner of SA Genealogy E-mail List, via Rootsweb.

Man dood toe motor grafte tref

’n Man het in ’n begraafplaas buite Eshowe aan die KwaZulu-Natalse Noordkus gesterf toe sy motor in ’n draai die pad verlaat en uiteindelik oor verskeie grafstene geploeg het.

Drie familielede wat saam met hom in die motor was – ’n man, vrou en ’n agt maande oue baba – is met ernstige beserings na die Eshowe-hospitaal gebring. – Verkorte berig geneem uit Beeld, 1 November 2oo7.