Through this page the Tracing History Trust aims to host interesting and informative articles regarding local research, history, genealogy and the way forward. We welcome researchers and the public to send through articles related to the above categories to info@tracinghistorytrust.co.za for consideration to be published on the THT-website.

1. Archival Platform www.archivalplatform.org

2. Articles

2.1 The article titled "Die ontsluiting van ons verlede" gives a summary of transcription events since 2001 as experienced by a seasoned transcriber/editor. Click here to download a pdf-version of the article.

2.2 Liebenberg, Helena. 2018.“Die Wes-Kaapse argief en die begin van Afrikaans/The Western Cape Archives and the beginning of Afrikaans”, Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, Volume 58 No. 2, June 2018. Click here to download a pdf-version of the article.

2.3 Liebenberg, Helena. 2020. “Indigenous place names in VOC Cape documents.” In: Chrismi-Rinda Loth (Ed). Recognition, Regulation, Revitalisation: Place Names and Indigenous Languages. Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Place Names 2019. Bloemfontein: Sun Bonani. Click here to download a pdf-version of the article.

2.4 Rall, Maureen. 2020. “Childbirth-related deaths and the Inventories.” 2020 UCT Summer School course lecture. Click here to download a pdf-version of the article.

Click here to download a pdf-version of Appendix 1.

Click here to download a pdf-version of the “Huislijk Geneeskundig Handboek” by HÄSZNER.

2.5 NEW – Stefan Grab and Mark Williams. 2022. “The Late-Eighteenth-Century Climate of Cape Town, South Africa, Based on the Dutch East India Company “Day Registers (1773–91).” Click here to download a pdf-version of the article.

2.6 International Programme for Maritime Heritage
Final report 2017-2021

This programme, started at the request of the Dutch House of Representatives, ran from 2017 to 2021. It focused on research by scientists and maritime archaeologists and was aimed at both knowledge-sharing and the perception of maritime history by a wider audience. This final publication highlights the results of the programme.
The International Programme for Maritime Heritage focused on shipwrecks abroad and the Maritime Heritage Netherlands programme on Dutch waters. That both these programmes are now being finalised marks almost a decade of commitment to maritime heritage from the Cultural Heritage Agency.
Members of the Tracing History Trust, either in their private capacity or as part of a Trust team, were also involved in two of the projects mentioned in the report:

2.6.1. – 3.15 South Africa
3.15.2 VOC burial ground Simonstown 69
(Antonia Malan, Kathy Schultz and Helena Liebenberg)

2.6.2. – 3.10 Australia
3.10.1 Roaring 40s 59
On Australia's West Coast lie the four famous VOC shipwrecks, namely Batavia (1629), Zuiddorp (1712), Zeewijk (1727) and the Vergulde Draeck (1656).

On behalf of Prof. Jeremy Green of the Western Australia Maritime Museum archival documents concerning the Zeewijk were transcribed and translated by Maureen Rall († 2021) and Helena Liebenberg, while the latter also did scanning through old documents for more information concerning the Batavia.

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” Click here to download a pdf-version of the article.

3. Genealogy

3.1 Using the Cape Transcripts CD for genealogical research. Click here to download or view a pdf-version of the article.

3.2 Liebenberg, Helena. 2021. “Die rol van die Wes-Kaapse Argief in genealogiese navorsing oor (Suid-)Afrikaanse families”. Article written at the request of the Genealogy desk of the FAK (Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge).. Click here to download or view a pdf-version of the article.