Hello Michael I checked in the 1849 Cape Almanac and found a Robert Neville of a carpenter of 8 Hout Street, Cape Town. I did come across a Robert Neville on www.familytree.co.za who was baptised in St.Georges Cathedral - this is a big possibility. I am co-ordinating a project at the moment to transcribe the St. Georges Registers so it will be a few weeks until more until the transcriptions get under way - you will probably find more siblings. However St. Andrews Scottish Presbyterian Church in Strand Street, Cape Town was the first in South Africa. In 1806 Britain sent the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders Regiment to the Cape as an occupying force. These Scottish soldiers were an unusually devout group of Presbyterians. Although they had no chaplain or minister of their own, they formed themselves into "The Calvinist Society" which met every week for prayer, Bible study and public worship. They continued their religious activities until 1814, always inviting oassing missionaries to preach for them. In 1812 the Rev George Thom arrived at the Cape. He was a Presbyterian minister on his way to India as a missionary with the London Missionary Society (LMS). After meeting with the Calvinist Society he decided to stay at the Cape and the first Presbyterian Church was established there. In 1814 the Scottish regiment was withdrawn from the Cape and the Presbyterian congregation was almost totally depleted. In 1818 the Rev George Thom resigned his charge and the first Presbyterian Church virtually came to an end. The setback was only temporary. In 1824 the once more growing number of Presbyterians re-established the congregation and built a church. Completed in 1827, it stands to this day in Cape Town and is known as "the Mother Church" of the Presbyterians in Southern Africa. The Rev John Adamson arrived from Scotland in 1827 to be the first minister of St Andrew's as the congregation is called. He served as their minister until 1841. Presbyterian Church registers are housed at the individual's churches as well as repositories such as Cory Library in Grahamstown and Manuscripts and Archives Library at University of Cape Town. As far as I am aware St. Andrews church records are still in the church. Kind regards Heather Heather MacAlister Web Site Manager for: www.familytree.co.za + www.ancestry.mweb.co.za E-Centre 46 Hof Street Gardens 8001 Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27-21-481-8316 Fax: +27-21-481-8333 -----Original Message----- From: Submariner12345@aol.com [mailto:Submariner12345@aol.com] Sent: 01 July 2005 08:13 AM To: SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [South-Africa-Cape-Town] Re:Tracing a Cape Town birth Hi Heather Thanks for your advice. My person I'm trying to trace was called EMMA NEVIILE, she was born in Capetown in 1848, her fathers name which appaers on her British marriage certificate in June1871 was ROBERT NEVILLE, her father was stated as being a builder. I think she was married in a Presbyterian church, though I am not 100% sure. After this I have very little information on her family. If you can help it would be much appreciated. Many thanks. Michael Morgan ==== SOUTH-AFRICA-CAPE-TOWN Mailing List ==== Cape Town Family History Society www.genealogy.co.za/society/socweb.htm ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx