Family history and genealogy
May 11, 2025
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…
Corrie WIJNBEEK lived through two World Wars, the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression, and the current COVID-19 pandemic. She passed away on 13 July 2021 at the age of 108 in Swartruggens. She was living with her son, Dirk WIJNBEEK Read more…
Mary SINNOTT was born in Wexford, Ireland, in 1882, one of five children born to Thomas SINNOTT and Margaret DUNN. The family was Catholic. Her eldest siblings were Dorothea/Dorothy Eleanor (Dorrie) and Dennis, and her younger siblings were Sarah and Read more…
In 1855, Sir George GREY, High Commissioner in South Africa, tried to get British military pensioners to immigrate to South Africa and settle in British Kaffraria. The scheme failed to draw enough immigrants and was replaced with a plan to Read more…