Local History

The history of our local area and community

Our Local History

Every place has a history — stories of the people who lived there before us. Local history includes how your town or area started, important events that happened, and how it has changed over time. We learn about history from old photos, stories, buildings and museums.

Example

Finding Local History

Sources of local history: • Old photographs and maps • Stories from grandparents and elders • Historical buildings and monuments • Museum exhibits • Place names (many SA places have names from Khoi, San, Zulu, Sotho languages)

Note

Remember

History helps us understand where we come from and why things are the way they are. Oral history (stories passed down by speaking) is very important in South Africa — elders are valuable sources of knowledge.

Key Vocabulary

HistoryThe study of what happened in the past

SourceSomething that gives us information about the past

Oral historyStories and knowledge passed down by speaking

HeritageThings from the past that we value and protect

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