Huguenots Society of South Africa Copy - The Huguenot Society of South Africa
HUGUENOT SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA
The theme of the Huguenot Museum in Franschhoek is the history of the Huguenots before and after their arrival at the Cape of Good Hope.
The story of the Huguenots at the Cape begins with a difficult history of religious war and persecution in 16th century France. Via the Dutch Republic, a small number fled their homes to the Cape, mostly between 1688 and 1689. Their perilous journeys over mountains and sea to establish new lives and homes in a foreign land reflects the texture of refugee experiences around the world at different moments in time.
ABOUT
HUGUENOT SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA
Their perilous journeys over mountains and sea to establish new lives and homes in a foreign land
reflects the texture of refugee experiences around the world at different moments in time.
Huguenot Bulletin
- Since 1953 the Huguenot Society of South Africa publishes an annual Huguenot Bulletin during September, in which research articles, and especially genealogical articles, appear. The editor is Ms Biebie van der Merwe. A list of articles which appeared in the Huguenot Bulletin 1-52 can be downloaded by clicking here. A CD containing all issues of the Huguenot Bulletin from 1963-2004 is available from the society.
- A regular newsletter informs members of the activities of the society.
- During the Reformation Festival (during the last week of October each year) the annual general meeting of members takes place in Franschhoek on the last Saturday of October. A similar AGM is held later in Pretoria each year.
- The society publishes genealogies of South African families with Huguenot surnames; a list of available publications is available here.
Genealogical Research
A number of Huguenot surnames did not survive in South Africa; these include surnames such as Amiel, Aubanelle, Belusé, De Péronne, De Savoye, Dumont, Mouy, Potier, Prévost, Verdeau, etc. The list below gives well known Huguenot surnames which exist to this day, often with a spelling different to that of the original.
AIMS OF
THE HUGUENOT SOCIETY OF SA
The Huguenot Society of South Africa was established on March 12th, 1953, to preserve and promote the Huguenot heritage by:
AIMS OF THE HUGUENOT SOCIETY OF SA:
- Maintaining the Huguenot Monument and Museum in Franschhoek (meaning “French Corner”), some 70 km from Cape Town, South Africa;
- Keeping alive the influence and meaning of the Huguenot settlement in South Africa ;
- Undertaking research of our Huguenot heritage, especially with regard to its history, and by supporting genealogical research; publication of genealogical and historical books of Huguenot interest.
- To provide an extensive researche centre and interactive electronic genealogical research archive at the Huguenot Memorial museum in Franschhoek for use by genealogical researchers;
- Publication of genealogical and historical books;
- To facilitate interaction and co-operation between genealogical researchers of surnames of Huguenot descent; for a list of researchers, click here;
- Encouraging the safekeeping, promotion and financing of Huguenot relics and artifacts in the Huguenot Memorial Museum in Franschhoek;
- Organizing Huguenot commemoration gatherings; and
- Seeking contact with other Huguenot societies across the world.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE SOCIETY
Membership of the Society is open to everyone who supports the aims of the society and complies with the requirements of the constitution. Membership fees are as follows:
- Life membership (domestic, SA): R600 single payment
- Life membership (aborad): US$ 200 single payment
- Corporate membership (domestix, SA) R1 000 single payment
Download an application form for the Huguenot Society of SA by clicking here.
ABOUT THE
PUBLICATIONS AND ARTICLES
08 - August , 2020
De Villiers Family Genealogy on CD
The De Villiers Family genealogy in South Africa Vol 1 + 2 was originally published in 1997, and is based on research started by the pioneer South African genealogist Christoffel ...
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08 - August , 2020
Huguenot Cantata Op 51 on CD
As part of the celebrations in 1988 of the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the Huguenots in South Africa, the composer Hubert du Plessis was commissioned by the Huguenot Society of ...
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08 - May , 2020
CILLIÉ: RHEBOKSKLOOF EN SY MENSE
The book Cillié: Rhebokskloof en sy mense (written in Afrikaans, “Cillié: Rhebokskloof and it’s people”) is publication no 4 in the genealogy series of the Huguenot Society of South Africa. It is ...
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