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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 1999-01 > 0915995063


From: Wally & Elrine Greig <>
Subject: Re: SOUTH AFRICAN RAILWAYS
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 21:04:23 +0200


At 07:28 AM 1/10/99 -0800, you wrote:
>MICHAEL O'CONNOR wrote:
>
>Hi All
>
>I too would like to be able to contact someone with regards to people who
>worked for the Premier Diamond mine - I tried to find their address in
>the phone books that are available to us in Perth, but couldn't find it
>listed - can anyone help
>
>My Paternal Grandfather aparantly worked as an 'engine Driver',
>but I don't know if this was as a Winding Engine driver on one of the
>Mines, or as a Steam Train Driver.
>
>I don't know when the Railroad was laid to Jhb, as he would have been in
>the area about 1890, or thereabouts.
>
>Would anyone know if either Steam Engine driver's or Winding driver's
>served an Apprenticeship, that would have been registered somewhere?
>
>Can anyone shed any light on these items?
>
>Thanks
>
>Don MacLure

Hi Don, there were two Premier diamond mines. The first one was in
Kimberley, in the early 1880's, if I remember correctly. The other was, and
I think, still is, in Pretoria. As a result the name of the Kimberley one
was changed (can't remember the new name). If you need more info to clarify
this, contact me; there is a book in the local library that has the facts.

Concerning records of people who worked foe the South African Railway's
Police, I wouldn't think you have much chance of obtaining much help from
Transnet. I am a railway enthusiast and speak from first hand experience on
trying to get any info from them. In terms of S A law, all Government Dept
documents are supposed top be deposited in the Government Archives.
Transnet is in reality a Gov Dept, as was S A Railways. Just where you
should start I can't suggest.

Regards
Wally Greig

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