Johanna Oortmans / Rossouw, b2 SM

Baptism 1686

Baptism record: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9ML-49YG-M?i=5

Transcription of baptism record: http://www.eggsa.org/sarecords/index.php/church-registers/cape-town...

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Heraldry of South African Families / Coats of arms, crests, ancestry by C.PAMA/ A. A. Balkema, 1972

Bladsy 62.

RUSSOUW, ROUSSEAU. Gules, a horse salient argent. Crest: a demi-horse argent (fig. 22, pl 27. seal 22).

According to Bell the arms belonged to Frederik Russow, also called Russow de Wit. He arr. before 1685 and was a member of the Council of Justice and the Orphan Chamber. Marr. 16.6.1686 Johanna Rosendaal. (one son).

It is not impossible that originally his name was Rousseau. At the same time there also lived at the Cape Pierre Rousseau, from Mer or Menars-la-ville, near Blois (France), b. ca. 1666. He was already at the Cape in 1688 and was one of the first deacons of the French congregation at Drakenstein; d. 1719. Marr. (1) Anne Retief, d. 1710; (2) 7.12.1710 Geertruy Du Toit (12 children).

In course of time members of the Russouw family spelt their name Rousseau and vice versa and because of the mo9re than ten thousand descendants in South Africa today it will be almost impossible to unravel this genealogical puzzle. [336]. Whatever the true position may be all have gradually adopted the above arms.

(Bygevoeg deur Y. DROST op 22 SEP 2023)

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