I have just signed onto this list because I finally have some information that might help me in my long search for my son in law's ancestors. I was incredibly excited yesterday to get some of the details that I needed to make a breakthrough for his maternal grandmother's side of the family. My son in law was born here in Canada; his father Patrick was from Kitale in Kenya and his mother Anne was born at Durban about 1946. She passed away in 1995 here in Canada, and all the connections to her family back in South Africa were lost. Her maiden name was Smith and when I first found out, my heart sank because I knew I was up against a real genealogical brick wall. I have spent a long time gathering one tiny tidbit of information at a time, and hoping it will pay off. >From Anne's small obituary in a newspaper, it was stated that her mother's name was "Daphne"; Daphne survived Anne, but it sounded as if her father had already passed away. There are or were surviving siblings also but I will refer to them another time. I sent away for Anne and Patrick's marriage reg. that took place in England in 1979 and learned that Anne's father was William Eric Smith. Yesterday I discovered the identitynumber.org site and after signing up, was able to determine Daphne's full name (Daphne Joyce Gordon) and dates of birth and death and a marriage date for William and Daphne. A researcher named John Wynne saw my message on Ancestry.com and found the names of Daphne's parents and siblings- I was thrilled to discover there is a lengthy Gordon history available- I see a woman named Carol Forsberg posting on this list who would be related to my son in law's family by marriage and I wonder if anyone knows how to get in touch with her? I tried her posted email address but the message bounced back. Anyway here is what I now know and hope that if anyone recognizes these names, please contact me or post here with any additional information- I am still at a total loss as to the parents and family of origin for William Eric Smith and would appreciate any advice as to how to find them. William Eric Smith was born Nov. 27, 1919, place unknown, died at Port Elizabeth Nov. 20 1988; there is a memorial plaque for him on a stone or brick wall at a cemetery at Port Alfred, the cem. is also known as the "golf course cemetery". I do see some other Smith's buried in same place but have no idea if they are related. I can post their names in another message. Daphne Joyce Gordon was born March 17, 1919 at Durban and died June 21, 1999, I think at Port Alfred, that is where she and William lived with their children in later years. I have no idea if Daphne was cremated or buried; there is no marker for her beside William's name on that wall. Her parents were Ronald Nettleton Gordon and Mildred Ivy Cockcroft. William and Daphne were married in 1944 (perhaps at Durban?) and had 2 sons and 2 daughters. My son in law has memories of flying to South Africa with his mother Anne when he was younger to visit his grandparents at Port Alfred. I would be most grateful for any help I can get with these families- I have been trying for seven years to find information but always knew it would come slowly and with a great deal of patience!!! Thank you from Nora in Alberta, Canada