Restricted Access Probate

Nicole du Plooy

Hi everyone,I am looking for assistance from anyone visiting a FamilySearch Centre or Affiliate Library who can access restricted South African images. I am trying to break a brick wall and identify the parents and siblings of my Paternal Great-Grandfather. Could someone please look up and download the image of his Deceased Estate File / Death Notice (Sterfkennis)?Here are the precise details:

• Name: Gerhardus Christiaan Lodewyk Coetzer
• FamilySearch ID: GYHN-5TM
• Birth Year: 1898
• Death Year: 1968 (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• Burial: Brixton Cemetery, Johannesburg
• Spouse: Susanna Johanna Jacobina (SJJ) Greeff (Married 15 May 1928, Johannesburg)
• Archive Repository: National Archives of South Africa, Pretoria (TAB) / Master of the Supreme Court (Transvaal)
• Collection Title: South Africa, Transvaal, Estate Files, 1950-1993 (Year: 1968)

I am blocked by the locked camera icon from home. I would be incredibly grateful if someone could grab a screenshot or download the file image showing his parents' names and place of birth. Thank you so much for your time and help!

Rhonda Budvarson

@Nicole du Plooy there is also an African Research group that might be able to help you :)

https://community.familysearch.org/en/group/3-africa-research

Áine.ní.Donnghaile

I would have gladly provided an extract, but I did not find a relevant record collection for 1968 probate. And, the South Africa probate records are not available at FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries.

Johannesburg jumps from 1954 to 1971, but they are not available at FSCs or ALs.

sc woz

@Nicole du Plooy

A reminder to everyone that even when images are viewable at a FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library, some collections remain under contractual restrictions that do not allow copying, downloading, screenshots, or redistribution. These limits come from agreements with the record custodians, and FamilySearch is required to honor them. 

A helpful way to support others is to: 

• Share only the details you can legally transcribe from the record, such as names, dates, places, and relationships. 

Thank you for helping keep our community in harmony with the custodians who make these records available. Your care ensures continued access for everyone. 

Nicole du Plooy

I would not want anyone to break any rules at all :)

I would be super grateful for even just names surnames and a year of birth, so I can continue my manual search.