Re: Kirkbrides in South Africa
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In reply to:
Re: Kirkbrides in South Africa
J. Hadley 6/01/04
Thanks John,
I have emailed Ian.
I have also found South African descendants of George Frith Kirkbride and solved riddle of statues or monuments.
George Frith Kirkbride left Victoria and settled in the little Transvaal town of Potchefstroom in early 1900s and started a business as a monumental mason, making tombstones and other memorial items. George probably died in South Africa before 1916 and his widow and children other than his son, Francis Edward Kirkbride, seem to have moved back to Victoria. Francis Edward Kirkbride took over the family monument business in South Africa until his death in 1958. Francis married Ada Frederica Alexandra Redman (d 1960) and had 3 children: Eric Francis(1918-1961), who inherited the business on Eric's death, but died himself a few years later, Leslie Kirkbride, who died as an infant, and Mildred (living). Eric (1918-1961) married Catherine Sophie Laubscher (d 2003) and also had three children who are all living, married, and have children and grandchildren of their own.
Keep up the good work
Ray
Melbourne
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