Sometimes one gets more than Expected

 The Grave was found - Sam Basch

 In the search for the grave of my grandfather Samuel (Sampie)Jacobus BASCH (1868-1934), after whom I am called, we criss-crossed the farm Vanwyksvlei near Carolina in Mpumalanga numerous times.  According to my vague memories of 40 years ago there were several graves in the family cemetery with grandfather Sampie's at the top end next to a child that died an early death from the marriage to my grandmother Wilhelmina Alida van Wijk (1885-1961).
Last year we were there again and searched nearby dilapidated ruins of an old house and stone kraal and a dried out lane of fruit trees - without success.
My wife insisted that we make enquiries at a fairly new homestead close to the road. The owner left for town but his workers indicated to us a farm road around the back of the barn.

 The cemetery that we found is very well maintained. Then it hit me, a white headstone in a double grave: "Here rest Arie Willem VAN WYK and Carolina Wilhelmina VAN WYK born BESTER."
It is grandmother Alida Wilhelmina's parents - my great grandparents! and nearby Johanna Maria VAN WYK born KRAAY, 17 Nov 1810 - in life the mother of Arie Willem (According to the SAG born 10 Dec 1979)
Back in Pretoria I processed the photos.   In the back row I saw a grave of Johannes Jacobus Burgers ERASMUS, died 1979.  Along those are some unmarked graves. Why does the name sound familiar?  Then I remember, he purchased Vanwyksvlei in 1935 from grandfather's Sampie estate.  Suddenly it hit me: the unmarked graves are indeed that of Samuel James BASCH and his 3-year-old daughter, Elsje Margaretha (Ellatjie, died 1924).
We found what we were looking for.
But I browse through the photo archive on my computer again. Of the other old farm graves I photographed earlier near Carolina, is one with a rough hand hewn headset that reads: "AJ van Wyk died 30 January 1863 aged 30 years 8 days murdered". The young victim of ruthless cattle thieves was Johanna Maria Kraay's son and brother Arie Willem.  And beside him also lies a sister Rachel Jacoba - and their father, Henning Jacobus VAN WYK (1802-1875), husband of Johanna Maria - my-great great grandparents!