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Gravestones & Memorials

A growing collection of Van Blerk family headstones and memorials, transcribed and translated where the original inscription is in Dutch or Afrikaans.

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About this collection: these headstones and memorials trace Van Blerk family members across several generations. Where the original inscription is in Dutch or Afrikaans, a transcript and English translation are given below the photograph. Entries are arranged alphabetically by surname. If you can help identify a cemetery location, confirm a worn date, or add a missing family connection, please get in touch.
Hester Magdalena Ackerman (née van Blerk)

Hester Magdalena Ackerman (née van Blerk)

born 26 May 1850(?) – died 20 July 1930(?)
TranscriptIn dankbare herinnering aan Hester Magdalena Ackerman (geb. van Blerk). Beminde eggenote van wijlen Ds. O.P. Ackerman. Geb. 26 Mei 1850, gest. 20 Julie 1930. Sy was ’n moeder in Israel en in ons gemeente. Spreuke 31:28.
TranslationIn grateful memory of Hester Magdalena Ackerman (née van Blerk). Beloved wife of the late Rev. O.P. Ackerman. Born 26 May 1850, died 20 July 1930. She was a mother in Israel and in our congregation. Proverbs 31:28.
A striking obelisk monument, photographed in front of a large sandstone church — likely one where her husband served as minister.
Evis Marchia Barron (née van Blerk)

Evis Marchia Barron (née van Blerk)

8 Jan 1932 – 25 June 1996(?)
TranscriptIn liefdevolle herinnering aan ons moeder en ouma Evis Marchia Barron (née van Blerk). ★08.01.1932. †25.06.1996.
TranslationIn loving memory of our mother and grandmother Evis Marchia Barron (née van Blerk).
Albertus Johannes & Geertruida Elisabeth Basson (née van Blerk)

Albertus Johannes & Geertruida Elisabeth Basson (née van Blerk)

dates weathered & uncertain — see note
TranscriptTer gedagtenis aan ons dierbare ouers Albertus Johannes Basson, geb. 16-1-48, oorl. 23-8-85; Geertruida Elisabeth Basson (geb. van Blerk), geb. 24-1-51, oorl. 6-5-16. Rus in vrede.
TranslationIn memory of our dear parents Albertus Johannes Basson… and Geertruida Elisabeth Basson (née van Blerk)… Rest in peace.
This stone is badly weathered and the two-digit year abbreviations are ambiguous — they could read as 19th- or 20th-century dates. Transcribed as photographed; a fresh, better-lit photo would help confirm.
Frederick Sweres Breytenbach

Frederick Sweres Breytenbach

28 August 1893 – 22 August 1973
TranscriptIn tere herinnering aan ons dierbare vader Frederick Sweres Breytenbach. Geb. 28.8.1893. Oorl. 22.8.1973. Rus in vrede.
TranslationIn tender memory of our dear father… Rest in peace.
Husband of Rachel Johanna Breytenbach (née van Blerk), above.
Rachel Johanna Breytenbach (née van Blerk)

Rachel Johanna Breytenbach (née van Blerk)

12 April 1887 – 27 January 1953
TranscriptIn tere herinnering aan my dierbare eggenote en ons moeder Rachel Johanna Breytenbach (geb. van Blerk). Geb. 12 April 1887. Oorl. 27 Januarie 1953. Rus in vrede.
TranslationIn tender memory of my dear wife and our mother… Rest in peace.
Paired with her husband Frederick Sweres Breytenbach's stone, below.
Ulrich Frederich & Jacomina Hendrina Cordes (née van Blerk)

Ulrich Frederich & Jacomina Hendrina Cordes (née van Blerk)

Ulrich: 5 Jan 1889 – 27 Dec 1950 · Jacomina: 2 Dec 1888 – 15 Sept 1970
TranscriptTer gedagtenis aan my geliefde eggenoot en ons vader Ulrich Frederich, geb. 5.1.1889, oorl. 27.12.1950, en ons dierbare moeder Jacomina Hendrina (geb. van Blerk), geb. 2.12.1888, oorl. 15.9.1970. God is liefde.
TranslationIn memory of my beloved husband and our father… and our dear mother… God is love.
Frederika Johanna Fourie (née van Blerk)

Frederika Johanna Fourie (née van Blerk)

7 July 1883 – 9 March 1944(?)
TranscriptIn liefdevolle herinnering aan my dierbare eggenote en ons moeder Frederika Johanna Fourie (geb. van Blerk). Geb. 7 Julie 1883. Oorl. 9 Maart 1944. Salig hy wat in die lewe kom tot God om hulp gebede.
TranslationIn loving memory of my dear wife and our mother…
Heavily weathered; the closing line is only partly legible.
Cornelia Catharina Kets (née van Blerk) & Jan Hendrik Kets

Cornelia Catharina Kets (née van Blerk) & Jan Hendrik Kets

Cornelia: 15 Aug 1865 – 25 Dec 1933 · Jan: 9 Jan 1858 – 25 Mar 1944(?)
TranscriptCornelia Catharina Kets (geb. van Blerk). Geb. 15 Aug. 1865. Oorl. 25 Des. 1933. Jan Hendrik Kets. Geb. 9 Jan. 1858. Oorl. 25 Maart 1944. Rus in vrede.
TranslationRest in peace.
Magdalena J. Malan (née van Blerk)

Magdalena J. Malan (née van Blerk)

7 May 1848 – 26 May 1883(?)
TranscriptMagdalena J. Malan (ges. van Blerk). Geb. 7 Mei 1848. Gest. 26 Mei 1883. En ook de kinderen… [inscription continues below the photographed area]
Translation…and also the children…
One of the earliest-born individuals in this collection (b. 1848). The inscription continues onto a lower portion of the stone not captured in this photograph.
Sarah Magaretha Malherbe (née van Blerk)

Sarah Magaretha Malherbe (née van Blerk)

14 Feb 1896 – 13 Oct 1944
TranscriptSarah Magaretha Malherbe (geb. van Blerk). Geb. 14 Feb. 1896. Oorl. 13 Okt. 1944. Sy lewe al het sy ook gesterwe. Joh. 11:25. Isabella Frederika, voorheen Vermeulen (geb. Combrink). Geb. 10 Aug. 1902. Oorl. 3 Mei 1965. Septimus. Geb. 6 Jan. 1894. Oorl. 12 Julie 1975.
TranslationShe lives, even though she has died. John 11:25.
A shared family stone with two others, Isabella Frederika and Septimus Malherbe.
Jan Hendrik Nortjé & Gertruida Elizabeth (née van Blerk)

Jan Hendrik Nortjé & Gertruida Elizabeth (née van Blerk)

Jan: 20 Jan 1850 – 8 Aug 1928 · Gertruida: 5 Aug 1862 – 23 Mar 1933
TranscriptIn tere herinnering aan ons dierbare ouers Jan Hendrik Nortjé. Geb. 20 Jan. 1850. Oorl. 8 Aug. 1928. En Gertruida Elizabeth (née van Blerk). Geb. 5 Aug. 1862. Oorl. 23 Maart 1933. Ons gun U die rus.
TranslationIn tender memory of our dear parents… We grant you your rest.
Christiaan Pieter Bester Prins & Hendrina Magdalena (née van Blerk)

Christiaan Pieter Bester Prins & Hendrina Magdalena (née van Blerk)

Christiaan: 3 Apr 1861 – 15 Aug 1947 · Hendrina: 6 Aug 1877 – 29 July 1960(?)
TranscriptIn liefdevolle herinnering aan ons vader en moeder Christiaan Pieter Bester Prins. Geb. 3 April 1861. Oorl. 15 Aug. 1947. Hendrina Magdalena Prins (geb. van Blerk). Geb. 6 Aug. 1877. Oorl. 29 Julie 1960. Ons gun u die rus. Opgerig deur kinders.
TranslationIn loving memory of our father and mother… We grant you your rest. Erected by [their] children.
An unusual tree-trunk-style monument.
Mary Shanahan (née Brady) & Elizabeth van Blerk (née Shanahan)

Mary Shanahan (née Brady) & Elizabeth van Blerk (née Shanahan)

Mary: died 6 July 1940, aged 80 · Elizabeth: died 10 Dec 1941
TranscriptIn loving memory of Mary Shanahan (born Brady), who died at Cape Town on 6th July 1940, aged 80 years. Born in County Clare, Ireland. Also Elizabeth van Blerk (born Shanahan), our beloved mother, who died at Cape Town on 10th December 1941.
A rare Irish-immigrant thread in the family — Mary Brady/Shanahan was born in Co. Clare, Ireland; her daughter Elizabeth married into the van Blerk family.
Elsa Stigant (née van Blerk) & James Cecil Stigant

Elsa Stigant (née van Blerk) & James Cecil Stigant

Elsa: 23 Jan 1919 – 23 June 1972 · James: 4 Jan 1911 – 4 May 1982
TranscriptStigant. Elsa, geb. van Blerk, 23 Jan. 1919, oorl. 23 Jun. 1972. Her's was a fruitful life. James Cecil, geb. 4 Jan. 1911, oorl. 4 Mei 1982. At the end – success. Rest in peace Dad-Mom.
Ella Johanna Hermina van Blerk

Ella Johanna Hermina van Blerk

3 Feb 1919 – 19 July 2000
TranscriptVan Blerk. God is liefde. In liefdevolle herinnering aan ons geliefde moeder, ouma en oumagrootjie Ella Johanna Hermina. Geb. 1919 03-02. Oorl. 2000 07-19.
TranslationGod is love. In loving memory of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother…
Frank van Blerk (1918-1968)

Frank van Blerk (1918–1968)

3 May 1918 – 29 May 1968
TranscriptIn loving memory of Frank van Blerk. Born 3.5.1918. Died 29.5.1968. Missed by wife Elize and children. Rest where no shadows fall.
A different Frank van Blerk from the one below.
Frank van Blerk (died 1964, aged 79)

Frank van Blerk (died 1964, aged 79)

died 14 Jan 1964, aged 79
TranscriptIn loving memory of our dear dad Frank van Blerk. Died 14 Jan. 1964. Age 79 yrs. R.I.P.
Implies a birth year of roughly 1885 — distinct from the Frank van Blerk above.
Hettie van Blerk

Hettie van Blerk

27 Jan 1898 – 30 Oct 1918
TranscriptVroeg begonnen — een kroon gewonnen. In liefdevolle herinnering aan ons lieve Hettie, geb. 27 Jan. 1898, overl. 30 Okt. 1918, aan de griep te Calvinia. Teerbeminde dochter van A. van Blerk, Strand. Ontnam Gij mij dat ik bemin, ’k stem met Uw beschikking in, Uw wil geschiede.
TranslationBegun early — a crown won. In loving memory of our dear Hettie, born 27 Jan 1898, died 30 Oct 1918, of the flu at Calvinia. Dearly beloved daughter of A. van Blerk, Strand. If You took from me what I love, I submit to Your will — Your will be done.
Died in the 1918 influenza pandemic, aged 20.
Infant child of … & H. van Blerk

Infant child of … & H. van Blerk

born and died 4 Nov 1946
Transcript[Hier rus] die seuntjie van … & H. van Blerk. Geb. en oorl. 4 Nov. 1946. Jou koms was vir ons vreugde, maar jou heengaan sy smart.
Translation[Here rests] the little son of … & H. van Blerk. Born and died 4 Nov 1946. Your coming was our joy, but your departing its sorrow.
The father's name is not fully legible on this weathered stone.
Jacomina “Minnie” van Blerk (née Kallis)

Jacomina “Minnie” van Blerk (née Kallis)

31 Dec 1898 – 11 April 1994
TranscriptVan Blerk. Moeder en ouma. Met liefde sal ons u altyd onthou. Jacomina (Minnie) (geb. Kallis). ★31.12.1898. †11.4.1994.
TranslationMother and grandmother. With love we will always remember you.
Ralph Edgar & Lilian Edna van Blerk

Ralph Edgar & Lilian Edna van Blerk

Ralph: 13 Nov 1923 – 4 Dec 1989 · Lilian: 2 Oct 1924 – 17 Nov 2001
TranscriptVan Blerk. In loving memory of my beloved husband and our father Ralph Edgar. ★13.11.1923. †4.12.1989. A beloved wife and our mother Lilian Edna. ★2.10.1924. †17.11.2001. Rest in Peace. 355.
Van Blerk family plot: Alydia, Patsy & Rozier Bernardus

Van Blerk family plot: Alydia, Patsy & Rozier Bernardus

Alydia: 1959–1977 · Patsy: b.&d. 1973 · Rozier Bernardus: 1945(?)–1957
TranscriptIn tere herinnering aan ons dierbare dogter en suster Alydia. Geb. 30.8.1959. Oorl. 17.10.1977. Haar son het ondergegaan terwyl dit nog dag was. Fil. 4:13. En ons dogtertjie en kleinkind Patsy. Geb. en oorl. 28.6.1973. [Centre stone, different family:] Hier rus Andries Johannes Phyffer. Geb. 24.8.1888. Oorl. 30.12.1943. [Right stone:] In liefdevolle herinnering aan ons dierbaarste seun, broertjie, kleinkind, nefie Rozier Bernardus. Geb. 17 Feb. 1845. Oorl. 25 Junie 1957.
TranslationIn tender memory of our dear daughter and sister Alydia… her sun went down while it was still day (Phil. 4:13)… and our little daughter and grandchild Patsy… In loving memory of our dearest son, little brother, grandchild and nephew Rozier Bernardus…
The birth year given for Rozier Bernardus (1845) appears inconsistent with the surrounding family dates — likely a worn "1945" misread on the stone, or an error in the original inscription. Flagged as uncertain pending a clearer photograph.
Van Blerk: Jan, Bess & El

Van Blerk: Jan, Bess & El

Jan: 1909–2000 · Bess: 1919–2008 · El: 1950
TranscriptVan Blerk. Jan. 3.3.1909 – 16.6.2000. Bess. 5.3.1919 – 13.8.2008. El. 26.5.1950.
Only a single date is given for "El" — likely a birth and death on the same day, though the stone doesn't state this explicitly.
William John & Micaela van Blerk

William John & Micaela van Blerk

William: 22 June 1939 – 29 Jan 2006 · Micaela: 7 Feb 1996 – 11 Apr 1997
TranscriptVan Blerk. William John. 22.06.1939 – 29.01.2006. And when [Bili] had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. Micaela van Blerk. 7.2.1996 – 11.4.1997. Sy is nie hier nie – sy leef! 1 Kor. 15:54. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9.
TranslationShe is not here – she lives! (1 Cor. 15:54)
Micaela appears to have been an infant, aged just over a year.
Jacomina van Eyssen (née van Blerk)

Jacomina van Eyssen (née van Blerk)

born c. 1860s(?) – died 5 Jan 1949(?)
TranscriptJacomina van Eyssen (née van Blerk). Geb. 4 Aug. [worn]. Oorl. 5 Jan. 1949. Rus die rus wat begeer het.
The birth year and part of the closing line are worn away on the original stone.
Carel Stephanus Johannes van Heerden & Rachel Elizabeth (née van Blerk)

Carel Stephanus Johannes van Heerden & Rachel Elizabeth (née van Blerk)

Carel: 22 May 1904 – 9 Jan 1993 · Rachel: 18 Aug 1906 – 23 Apr 2003
TranscriptIn Memoriam. Carel Stephanus Johannes van Heerden. Geb. 22-05-1904, Badsfontein, Venterstad. Oorl. 09-01-1993. Rachel Elizabeth van Heerden (van Blerk). Geb. 18-08-1906, Vlakfontein, Malmesbury. Oorl. 23-04-2003.
A further, partly-worn line at the base of the stone appears to record surviving family members' names.
WWI Memorial — Signaller C. van Blerk

WWI Memorial — Signaller C. van Blerk

First World War honour roll
Transcript…Signlr. Van Blerk, C.… (listed among the 1st South African Infantry, alongside other privates, corporals and signallers)
A South African First World War memorial honour-roll panel. Lists a “Signlr.” (Signaller) C. van Blerk under the 1st South African Infantry. His exact place in the family tree is not yet confirmed.
WWI Memorial — Van Blerk, H.C.

WWI Memorial — Van Blerk, H.C.

First World War honour roll
Transcript…Van Blerk, H.C.… (listed under the 2nd South African Infantry)
A separate panel of the same (or a related) memorial, listing a second Van Blerk serviceman — initials H.C. — possibly a different individual from the Signaller C. van Blerk above.