The Genealogical Society of South Africa was established by a group of like-minded individuals with a deep passion for genealogy. This small group came together in 1964, with a dream to establish an organisation dedicated to the study of genealogy and family history.
From the left, standing: André Hugo, Hans Heese, Charles Hopkins, Marge Myburgh, Louis Hiemstra, Philip Myburgh;
Seated: Anna Böeseken, Jan van der Bijl, Frieda Pama, Con de Villiers, Cor Pama.
Sixty years on, the GSSA is still very much alive and well, focused on bringing people with that same passion together. Members who are starting out, join the organisation, and are able to interact with other individuals who share their interests. Added to this they are able to greatly benefit from those experienced members who share knowledge and techniques with those still learning. Experienced researchers draw on each other’s knowledge in various specialised areas.Members of the GSSA, both as individuals, and part of the organisation as a whole, make a tremendous contribution to the ever-growing body of knowledge, as well as the refinement of existing research, and actively work on the development and expansion of the discipline of genealogy in South Africa, and among South Africans (and their descendants) abroad.The GSSA is a non-profit organisation consisting, at its highest level, of a National Executive Committee (NEC), and is then divided into ten physical branches, and one online branch. The Society enjoys a membership in excess of 1,000 members both locally and abroad.Our branches are alphabetically listed as follows:
- Eastern Cape
- eGSSA (online branch)
- Free State
- Johannesburg
- Natal Midlands
- Gauteng North
- North West
- Southern Cape
- Vaal Triangle
- West Gauteng
- Western Cape
The constitution is not only the founding document of the GSSA, but it guides and informs decisions and actions taken by the organisation. The constitution of most organisations or countries is not static, and ours too is updated to suit changing needs, but it is not done lightly.AGMs (Annual General Meetings) are held at both branch and then at National level. Reports are prepared by the various branches and portfolios within the NEC to ensure that all happenings within the organisation are documented and communicated to all.Awards are presented to members (and non-members in specific cases) on an annual basis at the time of the national AGM. These awards recognise the excellent and exceptional, and ensure that members who go above and beyond within the organisation are acknowledged.We may not have had an organisation so focused on the discipline of genealogy, bringing us together in our common interest, and shared passion, had these visionaries not created our wonderful organisation in 1964. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants.
The following details of the founders of the organisation:
Dr Anna Jacoba Böeseken (1905-1997)
Born of Dutch parents, Anna Böeseken was a prolific writer and editor who contributed much to the archives service. Her knowledge of early Dutch and its script has always been of great assistance to genealogical and other researchers. Among her valuable privately published works is a study on Jan van Riebeeck. A graduate of the universities of both Cape Town and Stellenbosch, from which she received her doctorate, she was also awarded honorary doctorates by two other South African universities. As a founding member of the Genealogical Society of South Africa (GSSA) in 1964, she served on its board until 1986 when she was awarded honorary membership.
Dr. Cornelius Gerhardus Stephanus (Con) de Villiers (1894-1978)
Universally known as Dr. Con, he lectured in Zoology at the University of Stellenbosch, his alma mater, for 36 years. As a scientist and author, his interests spanned folk music and song, drama and literature, and genealogy on which he wrote in both English and Afrikaans. His publications on the De Villiers and Swart families bear testimony to the depth of his research. His essays on the people and places of the Overberg region, where he was born, are evocative of times gone for ever. He was a regular contributor to FAMILIA.
Dr. Johannes August (Hans) Heese (1907-1990
A graduate of the University of Stellenbosch where he obtained a D.Ed. degree, Dr. Heese was an educationalist who worked as both teacher and school principal in the Cape province. As a founding member of the GSSA, he served in the position of both secretary and treasurer for many years. After his retirement he devoted the remainder of his life to genealogy. His literary output included articles for FAMILIA and for the Human Sciences Research Council's Suid-Afrikaanse Biografiese Woordeboek (Dictionary of South African Biography), as well as comprehensive reference series, Suid-Afrikaanse Geslagsregisters (South African Genealogies). His most controversial book dealt with the origins of the Afrikaner (Die Herkoms van die Afrikaner). In 1982 the South African Academy of Science and Arts awarded him the prestigious DF du Toit Malherbe Prize for Genealogical Research.
Mr Ludwig Wybren (Louis) Hiemstra (1897-1978)
A journalist and editor, Louis Hiemstra devoted almost his entire career in service with the influential media group Nasionale Pers. He started as a young journalist on the Volksblad newspaper and later joined Die Burger in Cape Town, where he was language editor. His most important achievement was on the compilation of the new Tweetalige Woordeboek (bilingual dictionary) published by Tafelberg.
Rev. Charles Hopkins (1918-1992)
Upon completion of his theological studies at Stellenbosch in 1943, the Rev. Hopkins served numerous congregations throughout the Cape Province, including Oudtshoorn where he also was attached to the military camp. After a similar position as chaplain at another camp at Wynberg in Cape Town, he became an archivist at the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) archives in Cape Town. His genealogical expertise and knowledge of records were of inestimable value to other genealogists. His output included the histories of several DRC congregations and numerous article contributions to FAMILIA. He served as the first chairman of the newly formed GSSA in 1964.
Professor André Malan Hugo (1929-1975)
Professor Hugo was head of the Department of Classics at the University of Cape Town. Descended from the Huguenot refugees of 1688, he was steeped in their history and spent long periods in France conducting extensive research. This found its way to articles he contributed to FAMILIA. It was André who suggested this name for GSSA's quarterly journal. Besides his involvement in the compilation of the Hugo Familieboek (published after his death), he was a council member of the Van Riebeeck Society where he was involved with the publication of several historic volumes.
Mr Philip Albert Myburgh (1910-1992)
Born on the family farm Joostenberg near Stellenbosch, Philip devoted his entire life to this farm but for a period of four years he spent as a prisoner-of-war in Italy and Germany during World War II. It was from his grandfather that Philip derived his love of genealogy from a young age. This prompted his hosting of the formative meeting of the Society in 1964, for which he served as first treasurer and later as chairman. Philip served on the board for many years and was also a regular contributor to FAMILIA.
Dr. Cornelis (Cor) Pama (1916-1994)
The most prolific writer on genealogy and heraldry in South Africa, Dr. Pama was born in Rotterdam. His entire life revolved around books, writing, research and publishing in the Netherlands, England and South Africa. His revision of the early De Villiers Geslagsregister and universally known as the 'De Villiers/Pama' brought genealogy into the homes of the ordinary individual. Books on local history have also come from his pen. A founding member of the Genealogical Society in 1964, he edited its journal FAMILIA for 28 years. Pama was heavily involved with the formation of South Africa's Bureau of Heraldry on whose board he served. He was also chairman of the Heraldry Society of South Africa.
Mr Johannes (Jan) van der Bijl (1901-1977)
Stellenbosch-born Jan van der Bijl had a deep love for his birthplace and at his death bequeathed his house for use as a museum. A physicist by profession he studied at both Stellenbosch and Harvard in the United States, but spent his active career as a physicist at the University of the Orange Free State in Bloemfontein. Upon retirement he devoted his energy to genealogy and history, on which he published important work. A two-volume manuscript work on the grants and erven of Stellenbosch demonstrates his zeal to record the history of his home town. His genealogical publication on the Van der Bijl family from the progenitor who settled at Stellenbosch in 1680 is a masterpiece of research.
