Welcome to the GSSA
We serve a community of dedicated amateur family researchers. No one that has not yet started with genealogical research can imagine the passion, the determination and the great exultation that the genealogist experience when achieving a breakthrough, and makes a final link to complete a family line. It is an experience of a lifetime.
Moreover, for us it is more than just a family register, it is a family register augmented with the family- and cultural history of the time. Actual experiences of family groups, especially in remote areas, could be an indication of political, religious and cultural values of that time. This may be completely lost to later generations if not recorded in the family register.
The advantages of joining the GSSA are numerous. One becomes part of a family of likeminded researchers with vast experience and one can interact with them on a personal level. You know that you can call on the help of people that is supportive and accommodating. You will gain access to research and educational resources and remain up to date with developments in the world of genealogy. You get the opportunity to go on outings to sites of genealogical significance and listen to experts in the research field. Benefits include discount on genealogy books, DVDs and CDs.
Members of the GSSA have over the years produced works of great genealogical significance. It would be an injustice listing only some of the works. But in many of our branch libraries you will find books, DVD's and CD's on names such as the Du Toit's; James Mundell and his descendants; Die De Beer-Familie, Drie Eeue in Suid-Afrika; The Dexter Family; Van Stamvader Jean Prieur tot Pieter Johannes du Plessis; Die Du Preez-Familie in Suid-Afrika 1688 – 1988 and many more.
We believe that we (GSSA) should enhance our range of products and services that we supply to our members so that we as an association of members remain relevant. Hendrik Louw, the current President of GSSA, has made it his mission to produce many Family Registers and other Genealogical Products and he has succeeded in doing so - click here to have a look at the products available - also look at the eGSSA website.
The GSSA has nine branches spread across the country. There is also an electronic branch called the e-GSSA. As the name implies it operates in the cyber world. Please click on the branch bar on this page to read more about the branches.
The Genealogical Society of South Africa was founded in 1964. Since then the society has made big strides and genealogy is firmly established as a dynamic and growing phenonmonon in the South African Society. Many people spend hours in researching their family and the GSSA is proudly supporting them, newcomers as well as experienced researchers. The picture on the left is of the 11 founding members of the society.
Contact us.
There are two options. You can click on one of the branch menus and select the branch of your choice. When you click on the particular branch you can locate the contact us menu on the right hand side of the page and send your request to one of the contact persons of that branch. Alternatively you can click on query by genza.org .za and send your request via the contact form from where it will be sent to the approriate party for a reply.
Johan Barkhuizen, a member of the GSSA, prepared a DVD of his family history, that incorporated 16mm film material, some video footage and photographs. To this he added a sound track. This innovative format of presenting family history was displayed for the first time at the Genealogy and Family History Fair, in Pretoria on Saturday 3 September 2011.
