I have started collecting information on my family in the hope of doing a family tree. I have my great grand fathers photo album and some information on him but am unable to find out whether he was born in South Africa or in Scotland.
An uncle has told me that the family thinks he was born in Scotland and came to South Africa just before the Boer War. Unfortunately he died at a very young age, 27, on 25 September 1906, and his wife died shortly after him. My grandfather was very young when his parents died and never knew much about them to pass onto his children.
A family member did some research in 1980 but the records contain an error that has made me doubtful of the rest of the information, listing James Harvey Godfrey as having a brother James Charles MacKenzie, and I cannot see any parents naming two sons with the first name.
James Harvey Godfrey's father is listed as William Harvey MacKenzie and his mother as Sophia Hester MacKenzie, nee Waldeck.
I am also told that J.H.G. came from Ullapool in Scotland. I know he fought on the side of the Boers during the Boer War, was captured at Elandslaagte and sent to St.Helena Island as a prisoner of war. I have his discharge papers from the Boer Forces, signed by three of their Generals.
If anyone can help with information that will help me go further back, beyond the information I have so far, I would greatly appreciate it. Any tips pointing me in the right direction would also be great.
Best wishes
James D.N.MacKenzie
Can anyone