For the past 20 years I have had through various reason not had any contact with our extended family. I should point out that this was not because I wanted it this way it was simply because I moved to the Cape and lost contact.

However over this time I managed to learn a great deal about our ancestors, for it was in the Eastern Cape that our ancestors lived there lives and was the starting point from which their children would make their way to the Transvaal and beyond.

It is interesting to note that Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown and Port Alfred featured prominently in our ancestor?s lives for many years the frontier beyond which lay the dark and mysterious continent of Africa. Of course diamonds and gold changed all that the Boer wars fought between the years 1888 and 1902 would open up the roads north which our ancestors would travel in the pursuit of happiness, fame and fortune.

Remarkable our family has produced a large number of clergymen of various persuasions this I suppose is not some thing to marvel at as old Thomas Sterley was a staunch believer into total abstinence.

Another thing which is of interest is the fact that of all our ancestors there was but one gentleman and not a very nice one by all accounts William Holder who was also a leader of a settler party was according to reports a most stubborn and obstinate man and was not very well liked.

The spark of genius which some times presents itself in members of our family I am not sure where that comes from for we all have certain talents for various professions which is admirable. It would be a great thing if we could combine our talents and turn it into a thriving family enterprise something which our children and their children could take into the years that lay before them. In effect a living legacy any one with any ideas please let me know your thoughts