South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers (Cape Town Archives) - FamilySearch Historical Records

South Africa

What is in This Collection?
This collection dates from 1660 through 1970 and includes records of baptisms, marriages, and membership records for South Africa. The collection also includes marriage records for Karas, Namibia from 1936 through 1960. The Dutch Reformed Church records have been well maintained and are in good condition. Baptisms and marriages are found in different registration formats, usually in bound registers, which are kept at the local church archives in the care of the registrar. Since 1928 the registrar sends the registries to be archived at the Central Archive of the Dutch Reformed Church in Cape Town, South Africa.

When South Africa was settled by the Dutch in the 16th and 17th centuries, they transplanted their Dutch Reformed theology into the African continent. The Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa was formally established in 1652 and became the only official church in South Africa until 1778 when freedom of public worship was given to other churches. The history of the Dutch Reformed Church has been very much bound up with the politics of the Afrikaner community of South Africa.

The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa consists of three separate churches: the Nederduitse Gereformeede Kerk (the largest and usually called the Dutch Reform Church; the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk (largely restricted to the Transvaal); and the Gereformeede Kerk in Suid Afrika (the Doppers). During the 17th and 18th Centuries, the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduitse Gereformeede Kerk) was the only officially recognized Church denomination in South Africa and many white residents of the Cape belonged to it. In later years other church denominations were created in Cape, leading to a decline in the membership of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Reading These Records
These records are in Afrikaans and English. For help reading them see:
 * Afrikaans Word List
 * Netherlands Language and Languages
 * South Africa Language and Languages

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Baptism:
 * Name
 * Date of baptism
 * Place of baptism
 * Date of birth
 * Names of parents

Marriage:
 * Names
 * Date and place of marriage
 * Ages
 * Country of birth
 * Marital status
 * Occupation
 * Residence
 * Names of persons giving consent

Collection Content
For additional details about these records and help using them see South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records.

Coverage Table
The collection includes records from the following municipalities in Namibia and South Africa: {| style="width:60%; vertical-align:top;"|
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How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person you are looking for
 * Approximate date of birth or marriage

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname only
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in South Africa.
 * South Africa Record Finder
 * South Africa Finding Town of Origin

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * South Africa, Cape Province, Cape Town, church records, 1665-1695
 * South Africa, Cape Province, Cape Town, marriage registers, 1906-1968

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * South Africa Vital Records Index - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * South Africa, Civil Death Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records
 * South Africa, Civil Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

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