Two years ago, after contracting the coronavirus Melanie Burke wanted to do something to counter the brain fog created by the virus. It also stemmed from attending the zoom funeral service of a family member and the realisation that she did not really know anything about her family of origin.
“The research so far has been fascinating and I am at the point where the patterns and connections of my family cannot be explored without researching the other families from the founding of Uitenhage,” said Melanie Burke, daughter of Johnny Burke, the founder of the famous and very popular band, The Invaders.
“Many of the records that were kept by churches and in boxes under beds have been lost over time and this makes me sad. It’s like those people never existed.”
The family tree on her father’s side includes descendants of Alexander Accom, a mason originally from Cantona in China, who lived in Feather Lane, Uitenhage at the time of his death. The Accom family expanded and families of colour such as Burford, Burke, Dennis, Dolley, Ford, Fortuin, Goosen, Hendrickse, Hoffman, Jacobs, Japhta, Kerridge, Liberty, Loff, McAllister, Petersen, Rafferty, Redcliffe, Redlinhguys, Rensburg, Samuels and Scharnick became related by marriage.
Melanie’s great-grandfather John Burke married Margaret Accom and lived at 17 Baines Road, Kabah until his death in 1934. His son George (Melanie’s grandfather) married Winnifred Potgieter and lived in 3 Patterson Street.
Melanie, who nowadays lives in Spain, remembers living at this address with her family until her father Johnny Burke’s death in 1978. Melanie’s grandmother Winnifred’s family includes the Nicolaai, Petrus, Potgieter, Smallbone and Van Aardt surnames.
She also remembers the August, Bhika, Baderoon, Cyster, Hassen, Jackson, Jarvis, Lingham, Mac Donald, Marais, Maree, Murray, Prinsloo, Rennie, Sirkhotte, Solomons, Tiry, Udemans, Variawa and Zealand families in the adjacent vicinity.
On her mother’s side the family tree has its origins in the Graaff-Reinet, Grahamstown and Willowmore and surrounding farming areas with the family of origin surnames of Howard, Schambreel, Prins and Visser being dominant.
“I would love to speak to people whose families lived in Baines Road, Brand Street, Hillwacht Road, Middle Street, Mahoney Street and Stack Street in Kabah. Families from Cuyler Street, Durban Street, Gibbon Street, Malay Street, Taylor Street and Van Der Riet Street are also of interest.
“This story is about more than my family research. I want to explore as widely as I can and help document the stories of families who built the town to acknowledge their contributions.
“I will be in Kariega at the end of the month. I have managed to get to the mid 1800’s and have some amazing stories but I would like to fill in some gaps I have and broaden my research,” said Melanie.
- People interested in getting involved or learning more, can contact Melanie Burke via email uitenhagefamilies@gmail.com
