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Research in Other Countries => South Africa => Topic started by: tjdaynes on Monday 02 March 09 14:42 GMT (UK)
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My g-g-grandfather William Charles Cox was born in Keinton Mandeville, Somerset,England in 1871.He was a stone mason by trade and in 1897 he went to South Africa with 3 other people from the village.I have found the passenger lists showing their passage.Their occupations are shown as miners...My problem is that he died in Pretoria on December 31st 1901 and buried at the Methodist church in Pretoria and I have no idea if his death is registered in Pretoria (can't find it in English records) and don't know how to go about finding his death cert.One of the other people who went out with him in 1897 show up as being back in Keinton Mandeville on the 1901 census but not my William.What may they have been mining for?He left a young wife and 2 year old child and then the wife had another child 8 months later who I think he can never have seen.What could have been so important for him to leave them behind?
Forgive my ignorance but this relative has been elusive for so long, and this is my first venture into foreign lands!!!
Thanks Tracy
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Hi Tracy
If he died in Johannesburg area he could have been mining for gold! That's what was so important! The chance of riches...
In the Pretoria Archives his death notice:
DEPOT TAB
SOURCE MHG
REFERENCE O/18694
DESCRIPTION COX, WILLIAM CHARLES.
STARTING 19010000
Look at one of the sticky topics at the top of the board called "Ordering documents from the Archives" (or something to that effect). On another sticky there is also an example of a Death Notice and the information it contains.
Regards
Moira
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Hi Tracy
Go to www.ancestor.co.za, and search for
firstname:William
Surname:Cox
There are 2 possible death notices at number 5 and 6 in the list, but I would think the more likely one would be number 6 in 1902. I'm guessing his death was probably only registered after 31 Dec.
Usually takes about a week to get the image
Best of Luck
Mal