Immigration records in South Africa are not as difficult to find as one would think. The Archives of the Colonial Office records held in the Cape Town Archives are a rich source is tracing your ancestor’s first steps into the Country. Read more here about immigration to South Africa. Search Naturalization records here
Below is a list of inventories with references to the Archives of the Colonial Office.
Volumes Description Period
6054 – vols 1-4 Permits to remain in the colony 1806 – 1828
6055 – vol 1 Index to permissions to remain in the colony 1806-1838
6055 – vol 2 -3 Register of permissions to remain in the colony 1806 – 1838
6056 – vol 1
6056 – vol 2 Permissions granted to British Settlers 1820 -1824
6059 Sundry permits to leave / remain in the colony 1806 – 1809
6060 – 6066 Permits to leave the Colony 1809 – 1844
6067 Register of permits to leave the colony 1806 – 1844
5760 – 5769 Letters of Naturalization 1826 – 1902
8552 – 8696 Application of letters for Naturalization 1865 – 1911
6137 – 6138 List of British Settlers to the Cape 1820
Below is another great reference for immigration records which is the Cape Government Gazette. These immigration records have been extracted from the Cape Government Gazettes for 18 December 1913. These records were published on a weekly basis and provide vital information for anyone whose ancestors applied for immigration status. The references provided in this table can be used to find the original documents sometimes in the National Archives but many are still housed at the Department of Home Affairs.
Transcribed immigration records from the Government Gazettes of South Africa
18 December 1913 – Government Gazettes
You can also find out more about immigration records here. If you need any assistance with tracing your ancestors who came to South Africa, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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