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Research in Other Countries => South Africa => Topic started by: jjq on Sunday 05 June 05 12:25 BST (UK)
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I know it is a very, very long shot, but has anyone heard of the "Gold Diggers News" and "Rand Nurseries" in South Africa - in the early 1900s?
Two of my great Uncles emigrated to South Africa in the early 1900's ( but later returned to the UK in the 1930s). Their surname was SUTTON (christian names Albert, George or Frederick). Very little is known of them - my late father could only remember the names of the firms they worked for. They originally came from the Holborn/Clerkenwell area of London. As yet I have found very little about them in the UK - and Sutton is a very common name!
Any suggestions of further places to search for information?
Many thanks
Jan
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Over 5 years old, but am getting back to the family history - and updated information on these two great uncles.
George Thomas Sutton - born February 1871 Holborn , London
and
Albert Edward Sutton born 1880, Holborn London.
I am not sure if they emigrated, or just went to work out there for a while... have found a couple of passenger lists showing a Geo T Sutton (a clerk) from South Africa to the UK, but no mentions anywhere of either the "Gold diggers News" or Rand Nurseries".
Will keep on looking unless anyone has come acroos these.
Thanks again
Jan
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Hi, not going to be much help, but I have a picture of my great great grandfather, who was a diamond digger / prospector in Kimberley. He is holding a Newspaper called " Diggers News" ... at least that is all of the title we can see. He died December 1890, Kimberley. So, perhaps a search in Kimberley records will reveal something?
Also, after digging a little this link tells of a Paper called "The Standard and Diggers News", founded in 1896 (so not the paper in the Picture we have): http://www.fourpages.co.uk/family/showmedia.php?mediaID=48&medialinkID=77
Jenni
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Hi Try this link. http://www.national.archsrch.gov.za/sm300cv/smws/sm200gi.
Then click on the RSA repository box, when it opens type in Sutton (or you could try Rand Nurseries etc) and enter. A list of documents should appear, just click on Result Summary to see the info. At the moment the server is down.
To obtain pictures of documents held in the National Archives. Go to http://www.eggsa.org and select Content --> On Line Shop --> order Archive documents. Once you have selected the currency, select "Enter the Shop" and then select "Archive photos" (in yellow on the blue band) and follow the instructions. They are only able to organise the photographing of documents from the South African Archives at Pretoria (TAB), Bloemfontein (VAB), Pietermaritzburg (NAB) and Durban(TBD). Other archives require a researcher to transcribe documents by hand.
Much quicker than trying to get the Archives to reply to your e-mail requests!! Good luck Derek.
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Hi. Many thanks to both of you . This family query has been put to one side for ages due to lack of progress. I will follow up these links etc when I can get on my home computer and will get back to you, . A good start up the New Year, genealogy wise!
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After many years, the mystery has been resolved. I have traced both great uncles - one was a clerk, and the other did work at Rand Nurseries in Emmerentia, Johannesburg.
Albert Edward Sutton - died unmarried in South Africa 1955
and George Thomas Sutton returned to the UK in the 1930s, dying in 1941.
Also emigrating with them were 3 "sisters" who were actually their nieces by their eldest unmarried sister Pheoebe Harriet SUTTON.
Ada Clara Talbot Sutton (1882 - 1930) died South Africa, unmarried
Florence Maud SUTTON(1889 - 1934) who married Douglas Alexander POWRIE, died South Africa
Lillian May SUTTON ( 1895-1970 ) married Harry BRIGHT, died South Africa.
So query now completed - just need to follow up their families.
Thanks to all who helped.
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Have you seen the death notice for Ada https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS9R-2F48?i=1386&cc=2520237
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Here is a clearer copy https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS9R-2V1H?i=1385&cc=2520237
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Florence had a son Douglas Albert https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GT7T-363H?i=17&cc=1468076&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AZZKW-XG3Z
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Hi
Yes, this was one of the documents that solved the riddle, after finding the three girls baptisms in the UK. Found some other records on Family Search which also gave death details of the others. Now trying to trace what happened to Florences son. I have his baptism, and his fathers death.
Thanks.
JJQ
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There is a Douglas Albert Powrie listed here. Unfortunately to view the rest you have to pay in Rands. If in the Uk it should be very little cost due to the conversion rate https://www.identitynumber.org/death-notices-results.php?surname=POWRIE
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Do you have the names of Florences children https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9X8-QSN3?cc=4319131&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3A68BS-VN4D
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Florences one child John Aubrey Bright can be found here https://www.identitynumber.org/death-notices-results.php?surname=BRIGHT
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Hi
Many thanks for those links, I will follow them up over the weekend. I think Lilian had a couple of daughters, but would need to check my files (partly packed away as moved home last year).
Many thanks again. It is greatly appreciated.
JJQ
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The Identitynumber link I sent will be money well spent to search for family. Some of them I suspect may have returned to England as I can find no trace of them at all"