Large Families in South Africa

Coming from a family of over 120 first cousins and a great grandfather who was born as nineteenth child, I was always interested in large families.

But how large is a large family?

A guy in India is reported having 39 wives and 94 kids.

Mrs Vassilyeva, a Russian woman had 69 children over 40 years in 27 confinements

A number of families appear in SAF 2018 (not all families) with the number of siblings more than 22

23 or more sublings

Gideon VAN ZYL ≈ Tulbagh 2.7.1752

x Kaapstad 10.11.1776 Elisabeth BEUKMAN ≈ 16.1.1757

xx Kaapstad 30.12.1804 Regina Barbara WOLFAARDT

Stephanus MALHERBE ≈ 2.10.1768

x Paarl 15.5.1791 Maria Elisabeth HAUPTFLEISCH ≈ 10.5.1767

xx 28.9.1800 Susanna Elisabeth VAN DER MERWE ≈ 15.10.1780 † 5.1.1807

xxx 6.8.1809 Susanna Margaretha MARAIS ≈ 23.3.1783 † 4.12.1837

Gideon Johannes JOUBERT * Swellendam 7.2.1812 ≈ Paarl 24.4.1814, boer

x Swellendam 14.2.1836 Susanna Elizabeth JOUBERT * Swellendam 25.6.1817

xx 4.8.1858 Elizabeth Cornelia (Elsabé) SPIES * 26.9.1836 † Ermelo 31.8.1924

Dirk Jacobus PRETORIUS * 3.12.1806 ≈ Graaff-Reinet 26.12.1806,

x Graaff-Reinet 7.5.1826 Johanna Margrietha FOUCHE ≈ 3.4.1809

xx Cradock 27.1.1856 Johanna Hendrica Gertruida MARAIS

Jacobus Johannes SWART * 13.6.1824 ≈ Swellendam

x Hester Catharina KRUGER (ander bron: Bezuidenhout)

xx Anna Susanna Margaretha PELSER

Hendrik Jacobus EKSTEEN * Swellendam 5/6.4.1841 ≈ 6.6.1841, boer

x Cornelia Geertruida Margaretha GELDENHUYS * 21.5.1849

xx ca. 1887 Cornelia Aletta MOOLMAN * 7.8.1870 ≈ Swellendam 17.8.1870

24 or more sublings

Cornelis MOLL * Nieuwendam, Holland Jan 1756; † Wynberg 8.11.1837

x 30.6.1782 Hendrika LANGE ≈ 25.11.1759; † 4.2.1803;

xx 29.5.1803 Anna Sophia NEYHOFF

Jan Philippus Albertus CRAFFORD ≈ Swellendam 10.11.1808 † 1.2.1887

x Swellendam 7.2.1830 Susanna Jacoba Catharina OOSTHUIZEN * 5.11.1811 xx Ladismith Kp 4.5.1857 Johana Susanna SWANEPOEL

Arend Jacobus (Mooi Arend Stywesnaar) DIPPENAAR * Swartland 14.5.1843

x Martha Maria Frederika KOTZÉ † 1886

xx Hendrina Beatrix DE GOEDE † ca. Apr. 1892

xxx Moorreesburg 27.2.1893 Anna Susanna Wilhelmina Petronella (Annie Skilpad) SCHREUDER

Johannes Matthys (Jan) DE BEER * 10.6.1803 (een v. tweeling)

x Cradock 14.7.1823 Anna Cecilia DU PLESSIS * Colesberg ≈ 11.5.1806

xx Cradock 23.1.1842 Maria Magdalena Jacomina NEL

xxx Cradock 11.8.1850 Suzara Helena VAN DEN HEEVER * dist. Colesberg

Frederik Johannes Jacobus BOTES ≈ 13.10.1805 † Vastfontein, Pretoria

x Worcester 5.2.1827 Fredrika Johanna BIRK

xx Worcester 7.3.1830 Elsje Dorothea KOORTS

xxx Potchefstroom 1.5.1848 Susanna Francina SCHUTTE

xxxx Louisa Johanna NEL (wed. RAS)

25 or more sublings

Jacobus Adriaan NAUDE * Aliwal-Noord 31.10.1833 ≈ Cradock 26.12.1833

x Burgersdorp 1.5.1854 Martha Magdalena HENNING * Cradock 25.10.1836

xx Wepener 27.9.1880 Anna Catharina PARSONS * Graaff-Reinet 8.7.1859

Willem Francois JOUBERT * Lydenburg 27.10.1854 † Hendrina 17.8.1938

x ca. 1870 Anna Maria VAN NIEKERK * 12.2.1854 † Hendrina Tvl. ca. 1901

xx Hendrina Tvl ca. 1904 Maria Petronella Magrietha ERASMUS * 5.3.1885

xxx Adriana Magdalena Cecilia SWANEPOEL * Wakkerstroom ca. 1829

26 or more sublings

Marthinus Jacobus NEL * 12.2.1847 † 25.10.1930

x Judith Maria Magdalena ROETS * 20.1.1851 † 20.12.1925

James Arthur BEST * Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Engeland 25.12.1836

x Elsie (Alice) Dorithya DE BRUYN (BRUIN)

xx Rouxville OVS. NG Kerk 02.03.1897 Elsje Johanna Susanna BRITS

28 or more sublings

Daniel Jacobus FOURIE * Oudtshoorn 13.10.1826 ≈ George 2.12.1827

x Colesberg 7.1.1850 Susara Marthina Aletta Elizabeth GRAAFF * 30.9.1832

xx Hopetown 7.1.1878 Anna Maria Magdalena WILLEMSE * 17.11.1851

Please share with our readers, the largest families you have come across in your research!