Family history and genealogy
May 20, 2025
On 20 May 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob William Davis received a US patent for the process of putting rivets in men’s work trousers, marking the birth of what would become a fashion staple worldwide. Although denim trousers had been Read more…
May 12, 2025
This article was originally written in 1999. Following the Anglo-Boer War, large numbers of Boers left South Africa. They emigrated to Comodoro Rivadavia in Argentina, Mexico, German East Africa (Tanganyika) and the USA. Pieter (Piet) Arnoldus CRONJE was born on Read more…
May 11, 2025
Ivan DE VILLIERS was born on 31 March 1892 in the Griquastad area of South Africa, the son of Pieter Gysbertus DE VILLIERS and Agnes Margaret Josephine MELLE. His nickname was Slim. His father was born on 05 December 1839 Read more…
South Africa’s early aviation is rich in stories and often little-known facts. I’ve looked at some people and events that shaped the industry. FACT OR MYTH? William John HOUSHOLD immigrated to South Africa from England with his wife, Elizabeth, and Read more…
The SOUTHEY family gathered at Hoekwil, near George, in September 2008 for the celebration of the 100th birthday of Ruth SOUTHEY, daughter-in-law of the late Fred SOUTHEY of Hillmoor, Steynsburg. The almost 100 guests were mostly descendants of Fred and Read more…
May 10, 2025
Six people died and thirty-six were injured in Kuruman after a bomb was accidentally dropped on a crowd during a military show on 28 May 1924 at about 16:00. The air show was organised by the Kuruman Commando with Defence Read more…
If you’ve had a glass of Chateau Libertas, Nederburg, Lieberstein, Grünberger, Tassenberg, Graça or many other wines, you can raise a glass to Dr William Charles WINSHAW. Many of South Africa’s most popular wine brands belong to present-day producer-wholesaler Distell Read more…
In September 2008, I attended a special remembrance day – that for the brave young men of the South African Air Force who flew to the aid of Polish citizens in Warsaw during World War II. I wrote this article Read more…
May 9, 2025
On Saturday 20 April 1968, South African Airways flight SA228 from Johannesburg crashed seconds after take-off from Windhoek’s then J.G. Strijdom Airport just before 21:00. Twelve crew members and 111 passengers died. Five passengers survived the crash. The Boeing 707-344C, Read more…
I have done extensive research in archival records to add details to the crew and passenger manifest. This article is a record of who they were. On Monday, 13 March 1967, South African Airways flight SA406 took off from Port Read more…