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Guides and articles on researching South African genealogy — where the records are held, how to order them, and how to read what you find.
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Home Affairs
6 articles in Home Affairs.
South African Death Certificates
Most people only know about one South African death certificate. In reality, there are three — and one contains far more information than the others.
Civil Registration in South Africa: When Official Records Began by Province
South African civil records began at different times by province, leaving gaps in official records. Discover when registrations started—and why your ancestors may be missing from H…
History of the South African Identity Number and Documents
South Africa’s identity system has evolved from having no formal ID before 1950 to today’s modern smart ID cards. The Population Register Act of 1950 introduced the first identity …
Immigration Records and Lost Citizenship in South Africa
Thousands of South Africans unknowingly lost their citizenship in the 1960s–70s. Today, hidden immigration records reveal who was affected.
South African Birth Certificates
South Africa has three birth certificates: abridged, unabridged, and vault copy. Each serves different needs, with the vault copy offering the most detail for legal use and genealo…
South African Marriage Certificates
South Africa has three marriage certificates: abridged, unabridged, and vault copy. Each serves different needs, with the vault copy offering the most detail for legal use and gene…