Tracing great grandfather

[Koda101]

Good evening
Please help if possible.  I am trying to trace my great-grandfather's birth.  He lived and died in South Africa. 
He fought in the Boer War for the British side. I have his attestation paper, but his parents aren't mentioned. His death certificate says he was born in Cradock,  Eastern Cape, South Africa, but does not mention his parents' names either.
On my grandmother's birth certificate, it says he comes from Scotland.  I cannot find his baptism in Scotland and have not managed to find on FamilySearch.  Not on my ancestry or my heritage either so far.  He married my great-grandmother in 1902 in Johannesburg.
Many thanks for any advice or idea's.  Not sure where European baptisms were and no luck finding out so far.   He seems to want to remain hidden or changed his name
Does anyone know where Europeans were baptised in South Africa in 1877/8 

[jorose]

Europeans were baptised in churches. That may seem an obvious statement, but there wasn't a single specific place. Which church depends on the family. There were multiple active denominations - Anglican, Methodist, Catholic, Dutch reformed, etc.

Start with: which church did he marry at in 1902?

[Neale1961]

Welcome. There are many here willing to assist.
In order to help, you would need to post the names of your ancestors and some approximate dates and places of births, deaths, marriages.
Have you looked in Scotlands People for records?

[brigidmac]

south africa records are notoriously difficult to research

scotlands people is pay as you go and relatively. cheap .
there are ways of searching for free before you use credits so if you tell us his name and dates we can look for you .

you could try newspapers

and if you do a dna test you may find second cousins who will lead to knowing his parents names

good luck and keep us posted of any progress

[brigidmac]

this topic gives some useful links but was posted in 2008 so  not all may still be in use

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=26246.0

you could post a specific query with his name on the south africa  forum

but remember to copy a link to this thread so research doesnt get reprated
have you tried putting his name into the search bar on here just in case anyone has already researched him

[Koda101]

His name was Alfred Godfrey McDonald born 1877/1877.
His death certificate says he was born in Transvaal. His probate says he was born at Martinbrook possibly a farm in Cradock Cape colony.
He married Sarah Pullen in 1902 in Johannesburg at the church of Providence.
Her name was Sara Salomina Pullen. Pullens we’re from England originally
I cannot find an Alfred Godfrey on Scotlands people. I also have wondered if he was as from Ireland There are Alfred’s on Scotspeople but can’t confirm it’s him without parents names. They had 9 children
I have done a dna test and there are McDonalds but ones I have been in contact with have no further information. Some are private and don’t respond to my message
Thanks for ideas so far.
I will try the South African roots too

[Koda101]

I have searched family search on churches in Craddock Cape colony extensively 1877/1878.
I did wonder with him being in the Boer war for Thornycroft mounted infantry if his baptism was sent back to the UK
Thanks everyone

[jorose]

His marriage states Craddock.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP7K-CDDX?lang=en

Not all church records are online. It looks to me like St Peter’s Church, Craddock (the Anglican church in the area) records are among those not available online, which would explain why you cannot find his records.

[elliot]

His name was Alfred Godfrey McDonald born 1877/1877.
His death certificate says he was born in Transvaal. His probate says he was born at Martinbrook possibly a farm in Cradock Cape colony.
He married Sarah Pullen in 1902 in Johannesburg at the church of Providence.
Her name was Sara Salomina Pullen. Pullens we’re from England originally
I cannot find an Alfred Godfrey on Scotlands people. I also have wondered if he was as from Ireland There are Alfred’s on Scotspeople but can’t confirm it’s him without parents names. They had 9 children
I have done a dna test and there are McDonalds but ones I have been in contact with have no further information. Some are private and don’t respond to my message
Thanks for ideas so far.
I will try the South African roots too

I will see if I can link with your PULLEN family.
Thomas Pullen
Birth 18 AUG 1775 • Cuton Park, Chelmsford, Essex, England,
Death 22 SEP 1837 • Tindals, Port Elizabeth, EC, South Africa