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Could someone with worldwide ancestry please look for information on Mrs Mary Elizabeth Seely (nee Curtis) b.1878 in Cardiff, Wales m. 18.8.1902 in Cardiff to Frederick John Seely b.1874 Cardiff he d.18.6.1910 Cardiff. I cannot find Mary on the 1911 Census in the U.K.

Mary travelled to S.Africa and the U.K. frequently, I'm look for any information where she stayed in S.Africa where/when she d.

Info on travels: - Incoming Passenger List 1878-1960 Mary Elizabeth Seely age 46 B.1878 Port of Departure Australia & S. Africa via Las Palmas. arrival date 23.8.1924 Port of Arrival Liverpool, Ports ofVoyage, Port Antonio. Ships name Nestor (Blue Funnel Line) travelling 1st Class embarkation from Durban S.Africa. Country of last permanent residence S.Africa, staying in Wales at 8 Westville Road, Cardiff. Occupation: Nurse.
1939 Mrs Mary Seely staying when visiting Wales at 8 Westville Road, Cardiff, Nurse age 55 going back to Capetown from Wales. Country of intended future residence, depature date 22.10.1932 from London bound for S & E African ports. Ship Umkizi (Bullard King & Co)

Many thanks for any help/advice given.

ShelleyRose

Have you looked at FamilySearch?

That might be a better source.

SylviainCanada,

Many thanks for your reply I did try Family Search as you suggested, but couldn't find anything other than her b and m, thanks anyway.

Try searching the National Archives of South Africa.

There is mention of Estate papers in 1955 (presumeably when she died?)- note her surname is listed as Sealy (not Seely):

DESCRIPTION SEALY, MARY ELIZABETH. NEE CURTIS. ESTATE PAPERS.
DATE: 1955
-------------------------------------

In 1911 a William John Curtis and wife were living at 8 Westville Road, Cardiff

in the Cape Province, South Africa, Estates Death Notice Index, 1834-1956
Cape Province, South Africa, Estates Death Notice Index, 1834-1956 No Image



Name: Mary Elizabeth Sealy
Death Date: 1955
Volume: 6/9/23616
Reference: 2562/55
Source: Master's Office / Orphan Chamber, Cape Town (MOOC)
Source location: Cape Town Archives Repository

I don't see her on the 1911 census- perhaps she was in nursing quarters?

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) list Frederick's address as 26 Pearl Crescent Roath Cardiff.

However, she doesn't appear to be still living there in 1911- as far as I can see there were two separate families at the address- John Thomas and his wife Emily, and the Pearson family below:

1911 Census For England & Wales

26 Pearl Crescent Roath Cardiff, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales
Thomas Pearson Head Married Male 38 1873 Hotel Manager Glamorgan Cardiff
Mary Pearson Wife Married Female 26 1885 - Monmouth Rhymney
Edna Pearson Daughter - Female 0 1911 - Glamorgan Aberavon

FMP has one record of her leaving the UK ...........

Passenger Lists Leaving Uk 1890-1960
.
First name(s) Mary
Last name Sealy
Title MRS
Gender Female
Age 55
Birth year 1877
Occupation NURSE
Departure year 1932
Departure day 21
Departure month 10
Departure port London
Destination port Cape
Destination CAPE
Country South Africa
Destination country South Africa
Ship name Umkuzi
Ship official number 118323
Ship master's first name J E
Ship master's last name LYCETT
Shipping line BULLARD KING & CO LTD LONDON
City LONDON
Ship destination port S E AFRICAN PORTS
Ship registered tonnage 5175
Number of passengers 56
Record set Passenger Lists Leaving Uk 1890-1960

from image:-
Last Address in UK:- 8 Westville Road, Cardiff
Intending to live in S Africa

Thank you so much for your replies and for the information SylviainCanada, Maddie and AustinQ and my apologies for the delay in replying.

Yes Mary's surname should have read Sealy and not Seely, I must've been having a senior moment!

Mary must of been staying with her brother and his wife when in Cardiff, William John Curtis was her brother.

Do any of you know if there's a way of accessing the National Archives of South Africa for more information on her estate papers?

Many thanks again for your help.

ShelleyRose

Contact details from their website:
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.za/node/1278

Searching their records, also from their website:
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.za/node/737


The Master of the High Court appears to deal with Wills, estates, etc.
Somebody there should at least be able to tell you how to proceed:

http://www.justice.gov.za/master/index.html
http://www.justice.gov.za/master/contacts.htm

ArgyllGran

Thank you for the links, I'll take a look, hopefully be able to find out more about Mary.

Thanks Argyllgran for the links, I'm a bit confused with all the addresses and where to start, I was hoping the information would have been easy to find (like probate over in the U.K.).

If anyone could help I'd be really grateful,

If it were my search, I would email the Cape Town High Master (email address in the fourth link I gave above), because Mary's death presumably took place in Cape Town or district.

Explain what you want to know, and ask if they can help, or else tell you who to contact.


EDIT: No, ignore the above!

Mary's death notice posted above mentions the Cape Town Archives Repository.

You'll see her name on this page, of records held at Cape Town Repository:
https://tinyurl.com/y3po9qt5

They have her estate papers.

Quote all the reference numbers when you enquire.

Contact details :

Cape Town Archives Repository
Postal address: Private Bag X9025, CAPE TOWN 8000
Street address: 72 Roeland Street, CAPE TOWN
Tel: (021) 466 8100. Fax: (021) 465 2960.
Email: [email protected] (for General Correspondence)
[email protected] (for Records Management enquiries) <<<<<<<<<<<
[email protected] (Reading Room Enquiries)
[email protected] (Outreach Activities)

"Enquiries regarding genealogical or family history research, or other archival research, should please be directed to the relevant archives repository."
http://www.national.archives.gov.za/index.htm

ArgyllGran,

Many thanks for your help (I was just confused with so many addresses) I'll do as you suggest and contact the above address, I'll probably email them, hopefully get a quicker reply!