Graves of DR Church

August 15, 2021

Graves of DR Church

On 19th March 2018 the church council of the DR Church. Swellendam decided to ask the Swellendam Heritage Association to make a survey of the remaining graves on the church property because, at the time, there was no complete catalogue of the details of the graves. That made it difficult for researchers and family members to get information they required. It will also make history more accessible to visitors and will make it easier to find a specific grave. This survey subject to specific conditions contains the following:

  1. The drawing up of a catalogue with the location of each grave, as well as the wording of each tombstone. A short summary of the background of each grave is added
  2. The tombstones are cleaned to remove algae which makes it difficult to read the wording on the tombstones.
  3. When required the gravel on the grass will be supplemented or re-done
  4. Gravestones where lettering has faded are to be repainted.
  5. The church council wants the character of the graves to reflect the fact that the graveyard is already more than 200 years old.

The execution of these decisions was a special journey of discovery into the history of Swellendam, with this publication the church council, together with the Heritage association, hope to contribute to the writing of the history of Swellendam and hope that it will also be a valuable source of information to researchers and visitors to Swellendam.

The Church council hereby thanks the Swellendam Heritage committee for their great assistance and knowledgeable advice in the successful documenting and repair of the graveyard.

Hennie Steyn

SHA Committee

June 2018

More projects

August 12, 2021

Replacement Facsimile Bronze Plaques Available

(Article from the Heritage Portal)

Over the past two decades, many bronze old National Monuments plaques have been damaged or stolen. For those owners and institutions looking to replace these plaques there is a cost effective ceramic substitute which is incredibly durable and looks exactly like the original. It is resistant to sun, rain and wind and is worthless to bronze thieves. The plaques are easily attached to walls with ordinary silicone adhesive.

*Only Registered PHS (Provincial Heritage Sites) should apply.

*It is recommended that where such an original bronze plaque is still in place, the owner of the building remove the original plaque and have this re-affixed safely inside the building and the facsimile plaque affixed in its place outside.

The ceramic plaques cost R700 each. The cost includes prompt delivery with Postnet’s courier service.

Contact Marthinus van Bart for more information or to order – kultuurkroniek@gmail.com  or 072 740 5203.

* Text inserted by The Swellendam Heritage association

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August 18, 2021

Wall Mounted Family Coats of Arms

Wall Mounted Family Coats of Arms.

Owing to the public’s enthusiasm regarding The Swellendam Heritage Association’s project “Swellendam Families” now in the process of lining the lower part of the town’s main road, the Swellendam Heritage Association are pleased to announce an extension to the project. The name given to this extension is “The Swellendam Families Private Collection”.

As the name try’s to suggests, the project enables families to erect their family’s crest at their home.

The crests are available in various sizes, are in colour and mounted on a rust resistant Chromodek® steel plate panel which can be affixed to a suitable place on a wall at the family’s home.

These family crest panels make an excellent long-lasting gift as well.

Prices are as follows:

  • 200mm X 300mm = R300* incl
  • 300mm X 400mm = R400* incl
  • 400mm X 600mm = R500* incl

Where a family crest is available in the SHA’s library.

There is an additional charge of R400 where a crest needs to be created.

Contact / Kontak Hennie Steyn 082 956 9454  flinkskink@gmail.com Philip Bromley 073 248 3999 p.bromley05@gmail.com   Bank besonderhede / details Nedbank (Swellendam) Branch / Tak 19876500 Swellendam Heritage Association / Erfenisvereniging Rekening Nr / Account Nbr 1118273125 Please enter your surname as reference. Meld asseblief u van as verwysing.  

Muur gemonteerde  Familiewapens.

As gevolg van die publiek se entoesiasme in verband met Die Swellendam Erfenisvereniging se projek “Swellendam Families” wat tans besig is om die onderkant van die dorp se hoofstraat te versier, is die Die Swellendam Erfenisvereniging bly om aan te kondig ‘n uitbreiding van die projek. Die uitbreiding word benoem “Die Swellendam Families Privaat Versameling”

Soos die naam probeer aandui, laat die projek toe dat families hulle familewapen by die huis kan oprig.

Hierdie familiewapen bordjies maak ook sommer ‘n oulike duursame geskenk.

Pryse is soos volg:

  • 200mm X 300mm = R300* insl
  • 300mm X 400mm = R400* insl
  • 400mm X 600mm = R500* insl

Waar ‘n familiewapen beskikbaar is in die Erfenisvereniging se versameling.

Daar is ‘n additionele koste van R400 as ‘n familiewapen nuut geskep moet word.

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August 19, 2021

PRESS RELEASE SWELLENDAM FAMILY CRESTS 2019

The Swellendam Heritage Association has commenced on a project to have Swellendam family crests displayed on metal hoardings attached to the lampposts along the West end of Voortrek Street. The Swellendam Municipality has approved a pilot project in this respect. The pilot project saw the erection of four hoardings displaying eight family crests (two crests, one on each side of a hoarding). The purpose of the pilot project is to gauge public opinion with regard to heritage, inclusivity and aesthetic value before commencing with the full project. Examples of these family crests in the pilot project can now be viewed on the lampposts opposite Moolmanshof.

The Heritage Association wants this to be a Swellendam community project. All families, whether with historic ties, who currently reside in or are involved in Swellendam are asked to be part of this project.

Our picturesque town is unique in terms of situation, landscape and natural scenery. Her history is illustrious and diverse, created and formed through contributions of all ethnic, social and administrative role-players. So special is she that Dr. Joan Prins, a Swellendammer of old, once referred to her as ” The Swellendam Mixed Grill”. The Heritage Association, through this project, aims to give recognition to those past or present within the greater Swellendam community.

The pilot project will continue for the balance of this year and next year, if all goes according to plan, a huge effort will go into filling the western end of the main street with family crests.

The Heritage Association would also like to record its thanks to the Municipality for approval of the pilot phase of the project, support and the erection of the hoardings. The association’s thanks also goes to the participants in the  project and Alex Hayn of Atelier Studio for design assistance. Francois and Shaun from Lotz signs for the manufacture of the Crest Boards. Johan van Schalkwyk for the manufacture of the frames and assisting Francois du Rand and Frik Erasmus and their team from the municipality for the mounting of the Crests.  Without their  participation SHA could not have commenced the project. We are convinced that this project will make a unique contribution to the distinction of our town..

All families who would like to participate or would like to give recognition to an old Swellendam family, can submit the names and their contribution to the association. Families who do not possess an existing family crest will be assisted to create a crest using the background of their family’s history. It would also be appreciated if contributors would sponsor families who may need assistance financially as a way of possibly repaying such a family or any other personal reason.

We are geared to launch the main project in January 2020 so get ready to order your families crest in the meantime. We will advise costs in due course.

Philip Bromley

p.bromley05@gmail.com

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August 15, 2021

Graves of DR Church

On 19th March 2018 the church council of the DR Church. Swellendam decided to ask the Swellendam Heritage Association to make a survey of the remaining graves on the church property because, at the time, there was no complete catalogue of the details of the graves. That made it difficult for researchers and family members to get information they required. It will also make history more accessible to visitors and will make it easier to find a specific grave. This survey subject to specific conditions contains the following:

  1. The drawing up of a catalogue with the location of each grave, as well as the wording of each tombstone. A short summary of the background of each grave is added
  2. The tombstones are cleaned to remove algae which makes it difficult to read the wording on the tombstones.
  3. When required the gravel on the grass will be supplemented or re-done
  4. Gravestones where lettering has faded are to be repainted.
  5. The church council wants the character of the graves to reflect the fact that the graveyard is already more than 200 years old.

The execution of these decisions was a special journey of discovery into the history of Swellendam, with this publication the church council, together with the Heritage association, hope to contribute to the writing of the history of Swellendam and hope that it will also be a valuable source of information to researchers and visitors to Swellendam.

The Church council hereby thanks the Swellendam Heritage committee for their great assistance and knowledgeable advice in the successful documenting and repair of the graveyard.

Hennie Steyn

SHA Committee

June 2018

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