Free State, HEILBRON district, Deneysville, Vaaldam, Grooteiland_1, Submerged graves

Cemetery information:- Some of the graves became visible during the low dam levels of 2016 and again in 2024. They are normally submerged.

Photographs by Jenelee Dreyer, Allison Stella Mulder, Andrea Furness, Chantal Smit Fourie, GGSA Vaaldriehoektak & Riemland Museum

Album complete. eGGSA captions done by: Alex van Niekerk, James Anderson, Fern Swales & Riana le Roux

Additional information available on the GGSA Cemetery DVD:- Cemetery ID: 2033 Names in cemetery: 2 Google Earth Project Information:- GPSID: 2374 GPS: -26 51.489, 28 10.491

Information supplied by Peet Schabort, Deneysville:

The graves are situated on the private property of UJ (University of Johannesburg) also known as UJ Island.

Special permission was granted by UJ to visit and photograph the graves on 30 Nov (28,91% capacity) and 20 Dec 2024 (24,34% capacity at its lowest for 2024).

Contributors are:

1. FAK Vaaldriehoek Kultuurnetwerk. (Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge/Federation of Afrikaans Cultural Associations).
2. Riemland museum, Heilbron, Free State.
3. NSRI station 22, Deneysville (Nasionale Seereddingsinstituut/National See Rescue Institute) for assistance.
4. Photos previously taken were of great help and acknowledged with reference to the photographer's name where possible.

On our first visit 30 Nov 2024 the grave stone of the Voortrekker Jacoba ROETS 1825-1893 (born Du Preez) was still there and beautiful photos were taken. Sadly, on our second visit 20 Dec 2024 the stone had disappeared/missing/gone/removed/stolen. A stone that for 130 years withstood the elements of nature and the onslaught of the Vaal dam with no damage as if erected yesterday. Information received is that this happened during the long weekend of 17 Dec 2024.

Jacoba and her Voortrekker husband Hendrik Adriaan ROETS 1824-1897 (grave unknown but presumed buried next to her) are anchors of this cemetery. Also the grave stone of Jacobus Janse van Vuren 1860-1928 photographed 2016, could not be found.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE that there are DESCENDANTS still alive which too were able to visit the grave of their VOSLOO great-great grandfather buried there 100 years ago. Hopefully the aforementioned (and photos) will result in more clarity to avoid misunderstanding of the history of the cemetery.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: We were taken inland on the island to two grave sites which were also photographed.

SUMMARY: Today 24 Feb 2025 with the dam at 83,45% the graves are under water. So when they are visible ever again, please pay respect when visiting BUT more is to be seen on the web page. Visit only by UJ's permission and do not consider it as 'no man's land' as described by someone!

On the photos etc. Afrikaans is used because that was their home language.