About The Ahlschlager Family
Please sign in to see more. The Ahlschläger family tree and a collage of old and new family photographs, including some short stories about interesting characters in the family over the years is an endeavour to preserve and record as much family history as possible in order that future generations will have some idea about the Ahlschlägers of Africa over the past +- 200 years.
Some folk are not interested in their family history at all, some partly and some become interested as they get older. Fortunately you find some that love history and it is those people for whom we should be thankful. In the Ahlschläger case, we must always be thankful to one, Granny Therese Ahlschläger (nee Rewitsky), who was one of those who always took a keen interest in our family history. She kept all the old family photographs and wrote their names on the back. I remember Uncles and Aunts saying to Gran; "Do you want these old cepia and black & white photos and papers, otherwise they will be burnt", she was always happy to accept any old photos etc. Those old "papers" were all the original documents from Germany, of marriage and birth certificates, testimonials, army clearance forms and the original passports with all the names, dates and addresses. Had she not looked after all these priceless pieces of "paper" as they were called, they could have been destroyed or lost.
One Sunday morning in 1963 granny Therese and I sat on the veranda of 31 King Edward Road, Cambridge, East London enjoying a cup of tea chatting about the old days on the farm, Wattlegrove. Suddenly Gran got up and went to the dining room dresser and brought out the old Bakers biscuit tin where she kept all the old family photos and documents relating to our family emigrating to South Africa. She sat down and said in a very serious voice: "You have always shown a keen interest in our family history - when I am gone you must promise me you will look after what is in this tin, it's all about our family". I duly promised that I would. After her death in 1973 I was handed the Bakers biscuit tin and a few items which she had left me in her Will. Fortunatly the tin sealed well, not allowing fish moths and moisture to damage the contents.
For the next forty years the tin found a corner in the study cabinet. I retired in 1998 and began collecting old photographs and old documents wherever I could, it was only after the German Settler 150 year anniversary, I was assisted by Stephanie Victor, historian at the Amatola Museum in King Williamstown, who put me in contact with Anne Clarkson, a professional geneaologist, who lives in Somerset West and specialises in the German Settler history. I contacted my niece, Karen Ahlschläger, who lives in Malmesbury, she liaised with Anne Clarkson and
as a result, Anne was able to trace and have copies made of well over 200 documents from the Cape and Pretoria National archives concerning the Ahlschlägers, the oldest being the handwritten passenger list from the sailing ship, Wilhelmsburg, dated 13 January 1859, listing the Ahlschläger family details, plus death notices, Wills, estates, title deeds etc., over the past 175 years. With all this information now available my research really gained momentum, then with the help of counsins Tony and Verina Ahlschläger in East London I was able to compile about 95% of our family history, of which has been included in my website: www.ahlschlager.tribalpages.com When as much as possible has been recorded a master copy will be made of all documents, old family photographs etc. and copies will be available to whoever would like a set. Then the original documents will be handed to National Archives and a set each to both Amatola and East London Museums history/archive departments.
Finally I wish to thank all those who have assisted me in my research, but above all to Therese Alvine Ahlschläger, who instilled in me the interest to start and grow the family tree. I have kept my promise, that the Ahlschlägers, as well as all family branches of the future have a record of the family's heritage, before all is lost and forgotten over time.
All these pages would not have been possible without my dear Bev, spending many long hours in my study on the computer editing all my notes and information onto my Tribalpages Website, after a full day at her work. I am sincerely most thankful for your assistance in compiling the family history.
Arthur Ahlschläger, Author.
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