Alfred Edmund Petersen born about 1895 in South Africa

[ChrissieL]

I am trying to help my friend find out a little bit more about her grandfather and his parents.

Her grandfather, Alfred Edmund PETERSEN was born about 1895 in Brandfort, South Africa.  He joined the Transvaal Scottish in 1915 (she has his papers).  He is mentioned on the internet because he was in charge of the mascot, a springbok named Nancy.
Alfred married Jane Cunningham on 7 March 1919 in Scotland.  Alfred gives his father’s name as Andrew Petersen and his mother’s name as Catherine Murray.  They must have travelled out to South Africa because their first son, Andrew Robert Petersen, was born in Pietermaritzburg, SA.  Jane (Jeannie) returned to Scotland in 1921 with little Andrew.  Alfred Edmund followed in 1922.  Another son was born in Scotland.  Sadly the couple separated.
My friend would like to know how she can obtain Alfred Edmund Petersen’s date of birth/birth certificate.  She would like to know where her G. Grandfather Andrew Petersen came from (there is a family story that he was Scandinavian).
I would welcome any help or ideas where to go from here.  Many thanks
Chris

[trish1120]

Could this be the Parents Marriage?

07 Sep 1880
Fauresmith, Free State, South Africa
Andreas Peterson
Residence Place:Graspan
Age: 28 (1852), Single
Catharina Christina Engela Marais
Age:   18 (1862), Single
(Source South Africa, Free State Dutch Reformed Church Records, 1848-1956 on Familysearch.Org)

Yes
ALFRED EDMUND
Birth 1896 (no date)
Baptism
03 May 1896
Brandfort, Orange Free State, South Africa
Parents;   
Andreas Petersen
Catharina Christina Engela Marais

Trish

[ChrissieL]

Trish, that's wonderful. My friend will be delighted as she's be trying for years to find something
Chris

[trish1120]

Siblings;
PIETER CHRISTIAAN ISAAK  Birth 24 Nov 1881, Baptised 5 Feb 1882
IZAAK JOHANNES JACOBUS Birth 27 Jan 1884, Baptised 19 Mar 1884   
ADRIANA JOHNANNA GYSBERTA Birth 30 Dec 1885 , Baptised 04 Apr 1886
MATTIE PETRINE Birth 24 Oct 1899, Baptised 11 Nov 1899
(in Dutch I think I think last entry is witness or sponsor Pieter Christiaan Peterson)

May be others born 1887-1898 that I havent found unless Mattie was a late child like I was.

[trish1120]

I am glad I could help

[ChrissieL]

That's brilliant!

Thank you so much!

Chris

[trish1120]

Probate;   
Catharina Christina Engela Marais Petersen 11 Sept 1925 age 63
Parents;
Izaak Marais         
Adriaana Nel
You can look at it on F/S.Org and names all her Children including your Alfred

On second Page, excuse my lack of Dutch, but it appears she is a Widow, Lodging House Keeper.
3rd page it may say Mattie is a Daughter (my dogter)?

[ChrissieL]

That's excellent  I will have a good look at the FamilySearch website.

I think Andreas may have died before Alfred Edmund joined up in 1915 as it does say on his army papers that his mother was dependent on him

Although, they aren't my family, coincidentally we've just had a little grandaughter called Mattie 

Chris

[trish1120]

Thats is a coincidence