This database primarily contains records of slave registrations that were made mandatory by the British from 1816 onwards. Known to Dutch Colonists since 1660, the Olifants River Valley is bordered by the Cederberg Mountains. The first farm in the area was allocated in 1732 and a town soon grew between the east bank of the Olifants River and the western slopes of the Cederberg Mountains. Known as Jan Disselsvlei the town fell under the district of Stellenbosch until 1808 when the Earl of Caledon made it a separate subdistrict of Tulbagh. The town was renamed to Clanwilliam in 1814 by Sir John Cradock. In 1820 he brought the first batches of British Settlers out and earmarked the Irish to farm in the Clanwilliam area to keep them separate from other settlers. The majority of these Irish settlers, due to lack of farming skills and the harsh conditions in the Valley, were soon relocated to the conflict ridden eastern Cape border. Clanwilliam remained part of Tulbagh until 1826.  Slavery was abolished by the British at the Cape on 01 December 1834 but slaves had to serve a four year "apprenticeship".  On 01 December 1838 all forms of forced labour was ended and slavery officially came to an end. Where no exact birthdate is given, the stated year of birth is an approximation by the slave owner.

Slave records - South African National Archives

Archive copying by Lara Seaward