About GSSA JHB Family History Archives
Geneaological Society of South Africa Johannesburg Branch.
GSSA JHB Family History Archives
The GSSA JHB Family History Archives is a collection of genealogical and historical records maintained by the Johannesburg Branch of the Genealogical Society of South Africa. The archive exists to preserve, organise, and provide access to records that are useful for family-history research in Johannesburg and surrounding areas.
A current project of the branch is the digitisation of birth registers from the Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital, one of Johannesburg’s early maternity institutions, founded in 1904. Over many decades, the hospital recorded the births of thousands of children, and these registers now serve as an important source for genealogical research.
The digitisation process helps protect the original documents from handling while making the information more accessible to researchers. This project forms part of the branch’s broader effort to preserve historical records and support accurate, evidence-based family history research.
Johannesburg Branch
The Johannesburg Branch of the Genealogical Society of South Africa provides a meeting point for people researching family histories connected to the city and the wider Gauteng region. As part of the national society, the branch supports the shared goal of promoting genealogical research, preserving historical records, and encouraging accurate documentation of family lineages.
Members range from beginners starting their first family tree to experienced researchers working with complex archival sources. The branch offers a practical environment where knowledge can be shared, questions discussed, and research challenges explored together.
Activities include regular meetings, guest presentations, workshops, and informal research discussions. These sessions cover subjects such as archival sources, research methods, record interpretation, and the historical context behind family records. Members also take part in national projects, including cemetery recording, document preservation, and the compilation of family registers.
Contact Us
For enquiries or comments contact us in one of the following ways:
- Send an electronic message to johannesburg@genza.org.za
- Our chairperson is Natalie da Silva
How Do I Join?
Annual fees for 2025 amount to R405.00 which include:
- GSSA National Membership
- Johannesburg Branch Membership
- Electronic copies of Familia, the Quarterly Journal of GSSA
- Monthly meetings and events
- Electronic copy of Tree Topics
Contact Natalie da Silva to obtain membership forms.