TOPIC:

Hi
I have a collection of paperwork from my great grandfather which forms a narrative of his and his family's escape from Pretoria and arrival and residence in Kimberley at the time if the siege. There is a journal and long letter to family in England that documents their journey and family life during the siege. My great grandfather had an administrative role in rationing of meat and there are original records and ephemera connected with this. I also have a number of single page news sheets published by the Diamond Fields Advertiser. Also some travel permits.

It is my intention, when I have completed a transcription of the letter, to offer the original documents to the National Archives. I am willing to share all of this on this site if it would be of interest to others

Thank you Catherine - it would be of great interest to myself and others. As a medal collector, one lives in hope that one/some of "your men" will get a mention in private correspondence which has never been in the public domain.

Please past whatever you can - it will be greatly appreciated. By the way, what was your great grandfather's name?

Regards

Rory

Catherine,

That would be fantastic. I am sure there are many here who would be very interested to read/see items related to the siege.

Other museums would also be interested in your documents. I am thinking of the Africana Library and the McGregor Museum, both in Kimberley, and the Anglo Boer War Museum in Bloemfontein.

Best wishes
David

My great grandfather was Herbert Ashelford. Other family members were his brothers in law, Joss (Joseph) Whiting and George Richman. All were civilians.

Thanks for those suggestions. I'll look them up when I've finished transcribing the letter.