Gauteng Province, South Africa Genealogy

Guide to Province of Gauteng family history and genealogy: birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

History
The history of the area that is now Gauteng can be traced back to the early 1800s when settlers originating from the Cape Colony defeated chief Mzilikazi and started establishing villages in the area. Gauteng has only been properly documented since the 1800s and as a result, not much information regarding its history predating the 1800s is available. Many crucial events happened in present-day Gauteng with regards to the anti-apartheid struggle, such as the Sharpeville massacre of 1960, the Rivonia Trial in 1963 and 1964 and the Soweto Uprising of 1976. Gauteng is the smallest province in South Africa, but also the richest and most crowded. More Gauteng history can be found online at the South Africa History Online website. 

Localities
Information about some of the major cities within the Gauteng Province can be found at http://www.southafrica.com/gauteng/

List of cities and towns in Gauteng

Maps and gazetteers
A comprehensive set of maps of the Gauteng Province can be found at this link.

Cemeteries
Grave stone images from graveyards in Gauteng. This is part of the Genealogical Society of South Africa (parent body of eGGSA) National Cemetery Recording Project.

Map of cemeteries near Gauteng

Find A Grave records for Gauteng, South Africa

Census
2011 South Africa Census. This population census is a total count of the country's population, where demographic, social and economic information is gathered about the people who live in the country. Statistics specific to Gauteng can be found in this report.

Dutch Reformed Church (NGK)

 * 1838-1991 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1690-2011 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Civil Registration
Births, marriages, and deaths began to be registered in 1901.

Probate records

 * 1869-1958 - at FamilySearch — index and images

See here for a description of what death notices are and where they are located.

Vital Records

 * 1869-1954 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1870-1930 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1955-1966 - at FamilySearch — index and images