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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 1999-10 > 0939231547


From: Ch Smith <>
Subject: Re: Death Notice Indexes Cape Masters Office
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 1999 19:39:07 +0200


Just to add my 2 cents worth....

When I visited the Masters office in Capetown a month ago, I had the DN
number already for my grandfathers' estate so I had no need to consult the
index. However, when I asked the assistant behind the counter for the estate
papers and gave the DN number, I was not questioned in the least as to WHO I
was or WHY I wanted the papers or whether or not I had the RIGHT to see
those papers, but i was simply handed the (very thick) volume containing all
the relevant documents.
I went through the folder from front to back and made copious notes on my
own paper. I found a loose piece of paper near the back of the folder that
could easily have fallen out while the file was transported from shelf to
counter and back. Finally, when I had completed my notes, (it was now near
12 noon closing time of the office and the staff were getting ready to lock
up) I handed the folder back to an assistant who simply placed it on the
counter and turned his back to chat to his friends. I waited for several
minutes but no-one picked the folder up to return it to storage, and as
there were still some members of the public in the room I thought that it
would be extremely easy for anyone to pick up that folder and walk out,
there being NO security anywhere on the way out.
It seems that the general attitude at this office is one typical of laid
back Africa
and I SHUDDER to think what the condition or even existance of the records
be in ten years time.
COLIN

----- Original Message -----
From: Oswald Radford <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, October 04, 1999 9:38 PM
Subject: Fw: Death Notice Indexes Cape Masters Office


> I was appalled when I read this message. It is totally disgusting that
> valuable records, including original documents, are left scattered around
in
> a public reading room, where obviously negligence is now the name of the
> game.
>
> As to what to do about it ... to really get things going ... possibly the
> Cape Genealogical Society, on behalf of genealogists everywhere, should
> write a sternly written letter to the President, mr. Thabo Mbeke. This
> office, i believe, is a Government institution. Very often when all else
> fails, and one gets no satisfaction from the underlings, take your problem
> to the top. Then something, somewhere should happen.
>
> Yours in dismay
> Bridgette Pacy-Tootell, Calitzdorp, Klein Karoo
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Adelbert Semmelink <>
> To: <>
> Date: Sunday, October 03, 1999 6:58 PM
> Subject: Death Notice Indexes Cape Masters Office
>
>
> >What can we do to save what is left of the Death Notice Indexes at
> >the Cape Masters Office?
> >
> >
>
>
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