Our history is so important, I started in 2008 with Ancestry.co.za (site was removed 3 years later after loading up lots of information). Starting with my Dad's side of the family which I thought would be easier to track, not in South Africa if you looking for details, visit cemeteries personally if you know where the person was buried.

After that I collated as much as I could, scanned documents and sent them to family members who were interested in holding onto our family history.

Amazingly family members came out the woodwork from all corners of the world when my Aunt (Dad's sister) turned 100, she was awarded her ' Madiba' certificate and letter which bowled her over with joy, queenie over the water where she was born felt it not necessary since she lived over here. My Aunt was feisty even at her grand old age said "the very special man of her life sent her a greeting of a lifetime, to be treasured" my niece looks after most of our documents which makes me happy, one day perhaps things will improve in tracking families.

Keep documenting and sharing, have a wonderful evening Fiona. Makes me think of the San people who tell stories about family and animals around a fire, may not have been written as we feel proper and correct, they fondly remember and learn.