South African Ancestry helps people around the world research their South African family history. Use our searchable genealogy databases to find South African ancestors, surnames, maiden names, death notices, graves, obituaries, deceased estate records, photographs, books and other historical records.

Whether you are starting a family tree or trying to trace one missing ancestor, our records can help you discover where people lived, when they died, who they married, where they were buried, and which historical sources mention them.

About South African Ancestry

South African Ancestry was created to make South African family history research easier. When researching our own family tree, we found that many overseas records were easier to access, but it became much harder to trace what happened after ancestors arrived in South Africa.

Our South African genealogy database is constantly expanding. We aim to add new records regularly, so if you do not find the person or surname you are looking for today, please visit again soon. New death notices, graves, obituaries, deceased estate records and other family history sources may be added.

South African Genealogy Databases You Can Search

The South African Ancestry database includes a range of historical records that may help you build your family tree and confirm details about your ancestors.

• Death Notices
  Search South African death notices. Details may include first name, surname, maiden name, age, date of death, place of death and occupation. Images are available where possible.
• Graves
  Search grave and cemetery records. Details may include first name, surname, spouse name, date of death, cemetery name, town or city. Images are available where possible.
• Historical Monuments
  Search records linked to historical monuments. Details may include first name, surname, monument details, date of death, town or city.
• Photographs
  Search historical photographs. Details may include first name, surname and photograph source. Images are available where possible.
• Books and Publications
  Search names found in books and publications. Details may include first name, surname, name of book, author and publisher.
  
  Note: Due to South African publishing laws, we are unable to make extracts or images from some books available.
• Obituaries
  Search South African obituary records. Details may include first name, surname, newspaper name and date of the obituary. Images are available where possible.
• Deceased Estates - National Archives
  Search deceased estate records from the National Archives. Details may include first name, surname, maiden name, spouse name and estimated year of death.
• Deceased Estates - Master's Office
  Search Master's Office deceased estate records. Details may include first name, surname, date of birth, spouse name and town or city.
• Deceased Estates - Newspapers
  Search deceased estate notices from newspapers. Details may include first name, surname, spouse name, date of birth and date of death. Images are available where possible.
• Who's Who - Published More Than 50 Years Ago
  Search older Who's Who records. Details may include first name, surname, date of birth, father, mother and spouse name.
  
  Note: The information transcribed from these Who's Who editions is made available with the permission of Who's Who of Southern Africa, a business unit of the Naspers Group of Companies.

South African Ancestry Membership Options

Everyone can search to see which records are available. Paid members receive full access to South African Ancestry database records and available images for the length of their membership.

As a paid member, you will be able to view the full records and images available in the South African Ancestry database for the duration of your membership period.

Images Available for Download

Where possible, we make relevant images available for download so you can save or print them for your family history research. In certain cases, such as books and printed publications, images may not be available because of copyright restrictions.

South African copyright laws only allow printed publications to be reproduced where the author passed away more than 50 years ago, or where there is no author and the publication date is more than 50 years ago.

Record Errors and Corrections

Some source documents contain difficult handwriting, damaged pages or unclear details. Because of this, capturing errors may occur. If you find an error in one of our South African family history records, please contact us so that it can be corrected.

Where possible, please include the relevant reference number. This helps us find the correct record quickly.

Documenting and Photographing Graves

When documenting and photographing graves, we try to respect the grave and the family of the person buried there. Our policy is not to disturb the grave in any way.

If a vase, flowers, plant or other item blocks part of the gravestone, the grave is photographed as it is. This may sometimes mean that information is hidden or that a photograph is not perfect, but we believe this is the right way to respect those who have passed away and their families.

For more help with your research, visit our South African genealogy hints and tips page.