by Bonita Bricknell

   The Natal Marriage Index Project was a monumental exercise that involved the transcription of certain data from the  original Marriage certificates into electronic format. This electronic  index  of marriages is one of only a  few available in South Africa. It provides a great opportunity for people to find their ancestors when researching their family history.  The electronic index covers the years from 1845-1955, covering the whole of Natal, encompassing Pongola to Kokstad and Bergville to Port Edward

(Back: Judy Letard, Colleen Jacques, Sheelagh Noble, Lyn Paul, Maureen Kruger, Adrian Rowe, Milly Rowe, Graham Harries. Front: Barbara Scott, Jenny Harries, Lorna Van Rooyen, Matthys and Dawn Van Niekerk)

   A recognition ceremony was held at the Family History Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Certificates, recognizing the tireless and selfless transcription efforts of 28 volunteers from the community, were presented by Adrian Rowe, the project leader. The volunteers transcribed 421,874 names with Lyn Paul transcribing 177,993 names on her own.  It took 5 years to complete. The following saying by Evan Esar ”A signature always reveals a man’s character and sometimes even his name”, quite aptly describes the difficulty often encountered in deciphering what was written on the certificates 

(Isebelle Krause and Adrian Rowe)   At the ceremony, Adrian Rowe presented a copy of the electronic index containing the completed Natal Marriage Index to Isabelle Krause, the South African representative for the Genealogical Society of Utah. She thanked Mr. Rowe and his team for  their patience, dedication and  great perseverance. This is the first comprehensive digital indexing of Natal records and will  only be  the third set of South African  records to be published. It will be made available, free to all, by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (www.familysearch.org ) in the near future.

   For more information on the Natal Marriage Index or if you are interested in helping with other indexing projects contact Bonita Bricknell at the Durban Family History Centre on 0741-747-222.