Lamaci, Natal

Posts : 4 Join date : 2014-03-19

Hi

I'm currently researching the gravestones in our local churchyard in Wigtown. I've already found one erected by Reuben Moor for his parents: Reuben is subject to another thread on the forum. I thought I was quite fortunate to find one connection with the Zulu War but there may be another.

One stone includes an inscription: "Also his son James Carson who died at Lamaci Natal 7th Septr 1879 aged 26 years."

That got me wondering as to whether a 26 year old who died in Natal in 1879 could have possibly been involved in the conflict. I will check out microfiches of our local newspaper in the Library ... when the staff get round to finding a new bulb for the dratted machine! Meantime, grateful for any thoughts.

Mike

Posts : 943 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Mike,
The place mentioned by you, Lamaci in Natal is unknown in these times.
The closest I can get to it is La Merci, an upmarket holiday resort in the sugar belt on the coast to the north of Durban. It has only existed for about the last 60-70 years so is unlikely this is the place referred to. So Lamaci is probably a phonetic translation from a Zulu name, and there are many of those , some being quite unrecognizable.
The timing of the death in the 1879 year is not a problem as there were troop losses many months post the battle from injury and desease.

regards

barry

Subject: Re: Lamaci, Natal Sun Dec 10, 2017 5:46 am

Barry there is a Lamaci South West of Harding, around half way to Kokstad.

Regards

Subject: Re: Lamaci, Natal Sun Dec 10, 2017 5:50 am

Thomas Campbell Carson

Trooper, Bethune’s Mounted Infantry
Trooper, Colt Gun Detachment, South African Light Horse – Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith to 605 Tpr. T. Carson, Bethune’s M.I.

Thomas Carson was born in 1878 the son of James Carson, a Shipping Clerk and his wife Mary Campbell Carson, born Watson. Tragedy was to dog the small family early on with Mr Carson passing away in 1877 leaving his pregnant wife to give birth to Thomas on her own. This might account for the confusion surrounding his birth as, depending on what records are consulted, he was born either in West Derby, Lancashire (where his father had been employed) or in Dumfries, Scotland from whence his mother hailed.

Subject: Re: Lamaci, Natal Sun Dec 10, 2017 5:51 am

This may help Mike
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Posts : 943 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Frank,
Thanks
There are other places named as such around SA, but as Natal was specifically mentioned by Mike, that is where I have been looking. In the days of yore those southern parts of Natal were known as East Griqualand, and were still subject to border delimitation close to the turn of the century.
It could be one of those places subject to later name change ,or ,simply, like Somkele near Mtubatuba, just do not exist any more.

regards

barry

Posts : 4 Join date : 2014-03-19

Thanks for responding everyone. Having looked at Google maps there is an area called Lamaci near Harding in Natal. So that checks out. I suspect that this may be one that I have to file under "unresolved". The local newspapers have nothing (thankfully they got a bulb for that microfiche). But I'll let you all know if I get to the bottom of this.