Directory entries of
Archival Repositories 2005

71. OLD MUTUAL ARCHIVE

Brief history: The archive was founded in 1987 for the purpose of keeping documents pertaining to Old Mutual’s business which would be of use in the future planning as well as of interest historically.

Acquisitions policy: With the increase in the production of printed matter, the Archive has a strict policy of only keeping material which fits in with the founding statement (see brief history).

Core holdings: Chairman’s addresses. Annual reports. Amicus Certus (in-house magazine). Company circulars. Public relations brochures. Accounting statements.

Finding aids: The material is indexed using Inmagic and filed using the principle of provenance and the principle of original order.

National register participation: No.

72. OUDE KERK VOLKSMUSEUM

Brief history: Started by Lady Meiring–Beck in 1925 with furniture donated by her and established an earthquake exhibition after the earthquake of 1969.

Acquisitions policy: Collects material and artefacts to support research in the history of Tulbagh and its surrounds as well as its people, so that a collection can be built and catalogued. Furniture, photographs, books, documents, diaries, transcripts of audio cassettes etc. form the nucleus.

Areas of specialisation: The history of the people of Tulbagh and surrounding areas and the influence of the earthquake of 1969.

Finding aids: Published book: Church street in the Land of Waveren.

National register participation: No.

73. PIETERMARITZBURG ARCHIVES REPOSITORY

Brief history: The first records were assembled under the part-time care of a government official in the early 1900’s. Accommodation was provided in 1936 on the present site. The repository was originally known as the Natal Archives Depot and was responsible for the custody of all official records in the province. After the establishment of a repository in Durban, responsibility for that region was assumed by the Durban office and records relevant to it (excluding the colonial period) were transferred to that office.

Acquisitions policy: The repository is responsible for the acquisition of permanently valuable records generated by government offices and local authorities in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, excluding the area north of the Mfolozi river and the Durban and coastal region, commencing at Cato Ridge. The records of central government are excluded, with the exception of records of magistrates. The repository also accepts non-public records that reflect the history of KwaZulu-Natal, such as photographs and private documents.

Areas of specialisation: As above.

Core holdings: The repository contains all the records of the offices of Natal colonial government. Post-colonial records include the records of provincial administration, government offices, local authorities, magistrates and commissioners. The holdings include the records of the Landdros, Pietermaritzburg, from the Voortrekker period; the old Provincial Council Library, non-public records such as the Colenso and Shepstone collections, more than 10 000 photographs and a map collection.

Finding aids: Inventories. Index cards. Lists. Computer database.

National register participation: NAREM and NAREF. Linked for on-line retrieval.

74. PILGRIM’S REST MUSEUM ARCHIVE

Brief history: Was old TGME (Mining) Archive when Pilgrim’s Rest became a tourist attraction. The museum took over the archive in 1976.

Acquisitions policy: Material relevant to Pilgrim’s Rest.

Areas of specialisation: History and pre-history of Pilgrim’s Rest.

Core holdings: All material relevant to Pilgrim’s Rest.

Finding aids: Unpublished.

National register participation: No.

75. PINETOWN MUSEUM

Brief history: Manuscript repository was started by Head Librarian/Curator of the museum Mrs H Kaplan from the 1970’s. Additional manuscripts have been secured by the present curator Mrs H England. The manuscripts previously housed in the library were transferred to the cultural historical files of the museum. A complete set of local highway mail newspaper from 1949 – 2003 has been acquired by the museum. These bound volumes have been indexed by the Curator from 1949 – 1989.

Acquisitions policy: Either author, manuscript or newspaper must be associated with Pinetown, the Highway area, magesterial district of Pinetown or western region of Ethekwini Council (Durban).

Areas of specialisation: A wide area of specialisation can be included provided it is associated with Pinetown, the Highway area or western region of Ethekwini Council (Durban). Cultural/Historical manuscripts, letters, photographs, oral histories, newspapers and records are given preference. Aim of the collection is to provide historical records to the general public for education, recreation and conservation of historical sites.

Core holdings: All material housed in the museum, pertains to the biographies, histories, churches, mosques, temples, schools, mission stations, libraries, nature reserves, transport systems, sports and published archaeology of the Highway area. Manuscript holdings of historical works are by AT Cope, Ruth E. Gordon, GPJ Trumpelman, MM Shadwell, TV Lugg and Zulu praise poems edited by Trevor Cope.

Manuscripts: Cope Trevor ed. Izibongo: Zulu praise poems (printers proof); Cope Trevor ed. Izibongo: Zulu praise poems (typed manuscript); Lugg T edited by Cope T The Black People and Whence They Came; Cope AT compiler select bibliography relating to the Zulu People of Natal and Zululand. South Africa (typed manuscript); Gordon Ruth E. – Natal Royal Show 1984. (hand written manuscript); Gordon Ruth E. compiler Petticoat Pioneer 1988 (typed manuscript 2 copies); Trumpleman GPJ – History of New Germany 1948 (handwritten); Trumpleman GPJ – History of New Germany 1948 (typed); Shadwell MM – History of Kloof 1985 (typed); Jones Win – Born to be Queen – Queensburgh History 1992; Dunstone Stanley T – Bibliographical record of military service in Bambata Rebellion and WWI 1970 unpublished (handwritten). Oral interviews: Clendinning Gibson. 10 Clendinning Road, interviewed by England H, 22-08-1991, Pinetown; Pillay R & Govender R, interviewed by H England, 02-06-1992, Motala Farm Library; Interview with Mariannridge residents Mr Joe Bennett, Mr David Daniels and Mr Vernon Crouch at Mariannridge Library in June 1992 by Mrs Hazel England, Curator of Pinetown Museum.

76. PIONEER MUSEUM

Brief history: This Museum was founded in 1967 and it was called Voortrekker Museum before. It housed history of the Great Trek in the entire Free State Province. Lifestyle of the Voortrekkers during the Great Trek is depicted.

Acquisitions policy: As the Museum human scientist, we collect artefacts and related information from the residents of Makeleketla and surroundings. As indicated, this research, ie Oral History Research Project is done to promote history of previously neglected communities who resided in this area long ago before the Great Trek. To supplement this research, we are also working closely with other institutions, like Free State Archives and Universities in the Free State and Morija Museum and Archive.

Areas of specialisation: The Museum is housing the history of the Great Trek, and a portion of black communities. This museum is presently building up a collection of oral histories and interviews in co-operation with local people and academic departments.

Core holdings: The Museum is holding the lifestyle of the Voortrekkers during the Great Trek (1835 – 1837) eg. food they ate, kraals they built for the cattles, ox wagon, indigenous people/tribes they met, wars they fought, churches built and their ammunition. Small portion which is under pipeline include history of Masilonyana ie. tourist attraction centres in and around Masilonyana (Winburg, Theunissen, Verkeerdevlei, Brandfort and Soutpan).

Finding aids: Materials housed in the museum are documented and filed. The master inventory card control for each artefact that is housed in the museum is used. These cards are then filed systematically and locked in a cabinet file.

National register participation: No.

77. PORT ELIZABETH ARCHIVES REPOSITORY

Brief history: The repository was established in 1986 as an Intermediate Depot. In 1994 it was declared a fully-fledged archives repository in terms of the Constitution when the archival function became a provincial competency.

Acquisition policy: Public records are transferred in terms of the provincial archival legislation. Public records within the jurisdiction of the Repository, which are identified as having permanent value, are acquired, described and preserved permanently.

The Repository also aims to collect non-public records with enduring value to fill the gaps pertaining to the cultural diversity of the Province.

Areas of specialisation: Public records relating to the Eastern Cape.

Core holdings: Largest groups: Municipality of Port Elizabeth (correspondence files); Port Elizabeth Supreme Court (Criminal and Civil cases): Former Cape Provincial Administration; Department of Public Works; Native Affairs Commissioner (Estate files); Other: Records, which originated at all the provincial government levels, and those which originated at the different local authorities in the Eastern Cape, as well as the various magistrate’s offices.

Finding aids: List of Archivalia, computerized finding aids in the form of guides (arranged archives) and transfer lists are available in the reading room. No computer terminals. Information on a certain proportion of the holdings is available in the national automated archival information retrieval system.

National register participation: No.

78. PORT ELIZABETH MUSEUM (BAYWORLD INCORPORATING THE PORT ELIZABETH MUSEUM, OCEANARIUM, SNAKE PARK AND NO. 7 CASTLE Hill)

Brief history: Our Museum dates back to 1861 and has its roots in the natural sciences.

Acquisitions policy: Material relating to the research taking place at the museum and its central themes is acquired wherever possible.

Areas of specialisation: Local cultural history, Maritime archaeology, Marine mammalogy, Herpetology and Ichthyology.

Core holdings: We do not really have an archival collection. The historian has many artifacts and documentation relating to our museum, Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape.

The Library houses primarily published material. There is a very small ‘archival’ section which houses some raw data collected by scientists previously employed at the Museum, Colin Urquhart’s rough notes for certain of his books, Original drawings (43) for a book entitled “What animal is that?”…” or “Watter dier is dit?: Ford-Gids vir die uitkenning van diere in Suidelike Afrika”. We do not know who the artist was for “What animal is that?” and are trying to trace a copy of the English edition to accompany the drawings.

Finding aids: Access to this data is through the librarian or historian, by prior appointment.

National register participation: No.

79. RAND WATER

Brief history: The Rand Water Board (now Rand Water) was founded in 1903 with the objective of securing a permanent and reliable water supply for the ever-growing population and industries on the Witwatersrand. Since then, it has grown rapidly to become one of the largest bulk water supply authorities in the world. Currently we supply water to approximately 12 million people, covering an area of more than 31 000 square kilometres. We also supply water to more than two-thirds of the country’s industries and mines.

Acquisitions policy: Entirely focused on own documentation and archives.

Areas of specialisation: Bulk water supply, mechanical, civil, process and chemical engineering, water purification, catchment management, community–based projects and retail water supply.

Core holdings: Core holdings reflect areas of specialisation (see areas of specialisation).

Finding aids: Lists of files 1903-1975. Computerised finding aids 1975-2005.

National register participation: No.

80. ROBERTSON MUSEUM

Brief history: Archival material concerning the town and its inhabitants has been stored in our strong-room since 1977.

Acquisitions policy: Any material concerning the town, including photographs, postcards, letters, oral history.

Areas of specialisation: The Robertson family, descendants of Dr. William Robertson who gave his name to the town. The English family who lived at Druids Lodge. The Barry family of Swellendam with special reference to their business in Robertson for well over 100 years. Various societies and sports clubs of Robertson. Education in the town, etc.

Core holdings: What we have endeavoured to do, is to collect as much material as possible concerning the town from prior to its establishment in 1853 to the present. There is nothing of note that has been published to date except for a slim volume sponsored by the DR Church on the occasion of the town’s centenary in 1953.

A collage (consisting of 5 panels) depicting the participation of local inhabitants in the 2nd World War has been compiled after three years of research by 3 members of the Friends of the Robertson Museum and completed and put up with the assistance of the Cape Provincial Museum Services.

Finding aids: Nothing has been as yet published. Much of the information requires to be listed.

National register participation: No.

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