Obtaining records from the Cape Town Archives

[RogFromBrum]

Hello Listers,

Does anyone know the best way of obtaining copies of records from the Cape Town Archives (http://www.national.archives.gov.za/index.htm)?

With some of the SA Archives, it's possible to order copies through The Genealogical Society of South Africa (http://www.eggsa.org/) but the society's website states "The Cape Town Archives Repository has banned mechanical copying by any means of documents in their care. We understand they will offer a copying service themselves".

The archive website seems to assume that researchers will turn up in person but that's not very practical if you're in the UK.

Cheers, Roger

[margaretspearin]

Hi Roger
I optained a death cert and will from the National Archives in Cape Town and received it about 2 months later by snail mail at a cost of about 10 euro

Margaret

[RogFromBrum]

Thanks Margaret,

How did your place your order and what method did you use to make payment? Was this all done by email?

Cheers, Roger

[margaretspearin]

You are welcome.
I placed my order on the internet using my credit card. It was some time ago but if memory serves me correctly i had to print an application form off and fill it out and mail it to them. I cant remember if i posted it or emailed it. The record took about 2 months to come back.

Good luck in your search

Margaret

[RogFromBrum]

Thanks Margaret,

I'll investigate further. Thanks for your help.

Cheers, Roger

[LesDx]

Hi Roger,

Have you sussed it yet?

I'd appreciate the 'knowledge' if you have!

Les D.

[Leanne68]

Hi folks,

The email address to place orders for copies from the Cape Archives is :

Readroom@pgwc.gov.za

In your email request, list the file references (taken from the NAAIRS site), together with a request for either 1)a specific document from the file eg. Death Notice or 2) the entire contents of the file

The staff will email you a quotation and a release form.  I signed this, scanned it and emailed it back to them.   Payment is accepted only through international bank draft, posted to them with the original form.   For some countries/banking systems this is a real pain in the behind to organise.   I ended up asking a friend in South Africa to send a bank cheque on my behalf, together with the form which i emailed her.

The document copies are then posted to you.  The quotation process takes some time, as does the posting off process.  My last order took about 3 months, from start to finish.

best wishes
Leanne
in the Netherlands

[RogFromBrum]

Thanks Leanne,

That's very useful information.

Best regards, Roger

[LesDx]

Thanks Leanne.  I'll get on to it right away and see what transpires!