Enrollment options
Optional Print Course Material: Research: South African Ancestors Including Military Records
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
This course covers the history of South Africa, genealogical sources and repositories for searching your ancestors. General genealogical topics covered include birth, marriage, death, church records, cemeteries, newspapers, and more. Also included is discussion on online databases. Research examples are provided to give guidance in various types of research projects.
In addition, the course looks at major wars and conflicts, and the records they produced. Starting with the Boer Wars, World Wars I and II, and ending at the Korean War. In particular, records of the South African Constabulary, South African Defence Force, South African Air Force and the South African Police are covered.
Course Length: 7 weeks
MODULE 1
HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA & THE BOER WARS
South African History
Searching National Archives and Records Service
Settlers Who Travelled to Natal from England, 1824-1857
Shipping/Passenger Lists
The Boer Wars
Boer War 1899-1902
MODULE 2
HOW TO FIND MY ANCESTORS
Introduction to Genealogy in South Africa
General Genealogical Topics
Problems and Pitfalls
Restricted Access Files
School Records
Statistics
Sources for Genealogical Research
MODULE 3
RESEARCH EXAMPLES
An Unfortunate Flying Accident
Story of a Digitorium
Family Rumour
Armoured Train, Trafalgar
Where is Uncle Presbury?
An Unusual Casualty
Story of John Smith
MODULE 4
WORLD WAR I
1914 Rebellion
World War I (1914-18)
History of South Africa’s Involvement
German South West Africa 1914-1915
Actions Taken by the South African Forces
German East Africa Campaign
World War I Diaries
Regimental Mascots
Medals
Germans Living in South Africa Placed in Internment Camps during World War I
South African Police in World War I
MODULE 5
WORLD WAR II
South Africa during World War II
South Africa Defence Force Records
Department of Home Affairs
Obtaining a Certificate through a Private Company
World War II Diaries
German Families during World War II
Men Who Died While Serving in World War II
South African Police in World War II
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force & Women’s Auxiliary Air Service
Nursing in South Africa during World War II
MODULE 6
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE & SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE IN KOREA
South African Police
Rand Rebellion
Police Clearance Certificates
South African Air Force in the Korean War
APPENDIX
Abbreviations
Guide to Using the National Automated Archival Information Retrieval System
National Archives and Records Service (NARS) Website
National Automated Archival Information Retrieval System
Searching the NAAIRS Databases
Reference Addresses
Libraries
Museums