Mystery of gravesite solved
Photos were published of grave headstones from the mid-1800s through to the early 1900s and appeared to have historical value.
The mystery regarding a seemingly unkempt, deteriorating and forgotten grave site has been solved.
The Advertiser recently reported on this site, which is within a stone’s throw of the Chris Hani Crossing Shopping Mall on Bierman Road in Vosloorus.
Upon the day of publication, Lulu Muller from Middelburg contacted the Advertiser and mentioned that the tombstone that reads Carel Johannes Francois Weber is her grandfather.
Muller was overjoyed since the exact location of the gravesite has become lost over time.
“At one stage the gravesite was being taken care of by a cousin of mine, but since he died so did valuable information on the site’s whereabouts,” said Muller, who was also left shocked at the state of the site, mentioning that it was once protected by palisade fencing.
She recounted her grandfather, who died on April 20, 1928, at the age of 40, was married to Aletta Maria (born Bierman). They had eight children.
“My grandmother used to tell me of the family farm, which I believed belonged to the Bierman family, which was known as Vlakplaats.
“I never visited the farm. All I know is that she mentioned it was a dairy farm, which was sold when her husband died.
“She then moved to Boksburg where she lived to the age of 101 years old, dying in 1989. She was buried in Boksburg, unlike my grandfather who was buried on the farm, which is known today as Vosloorus.”
The Advertiser wrote an article on the grandmother when she turned 100, recalling how she survived a life in a concentration camp before marrying. Her husband at one stage also worked in the mines.
She was the grandmother of 45 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.
Regarding the other names on the graves at the site, Muller said they relate to her grandmother’s side of the family.
With the names of ‘Marais’ and ‘Bierman’ on the tombstones, one can only believe these were families of prominence living in the area (before the deceleration of Vosloorus) as one takes into consideration Barry Marais and Bierman roads running through the town.
“As a family, we are now looking at what our options regarding the site are. Hopefully, the graves can be relocated to Boksburg,” said Muller.
ALSO READ:
Help solve the mystery of a forgotten gravesite
Follow us:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Benoni City Times, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.
