Re: Rex Family - South Africa

Dear John,

The Rex family in South Africa is dominated by the family of George Rex of Knysa. There are two books which anyone studying this family should read, namely:

"George Rex of Knysa: the Authentic Story", by Sanni Metelerkamp, MacMillan(?), Capetown,1955.

"George Rex: Death of a Legend", by Patricia Storrer, MacMillan, Johannesburg, 1974. (ISBN 0 86954 0173).

Sanni Metelerkamp's book has many details concerning George Rex and his children however she is mainly concerned with the story linking him to Hannah Lightfoot and George III. In this sense the book is very naive but it is also charming and should be read by anyone with an interest in the family.

Patricia Storrer's book is a fairly heavy-handed put-down of the legend promoted in the first book but it is also excellent and has harder information, including a family tree from George Rex's G-Grandparents to his children and noting his brother (John, 1768-1821) and sisters (of whom only Sarah (1770-1842) survived childhood. Both books have interesting illustrations.

George Rex of Knysa had two wives and thirteen children. most of whom survived and married. The family of George Rex spread to Australia, New Zealand and Niue where there are many descendants, some of them very distinguished. The names of some of these appear in this Forum.

John Rex, George's brother, was a wine merchant and later a publican in Highgate. He did not leave England. The family appears to have no close connection with the Rex's in America.

Sarah Rex, the sister of George and John, never married and lived in Bath. She corresponded reguarly with George and also left an interesting will.

Good luck with your search,

Ian Axford.