Process of Receiving Arms from South Africa

**Mike_Oettle** · 29th July 12, 11:09 AM

The Bureau sent me an e-mail apologising for the backlog in preparing certificates. I replied that I was well aware of the delay, and was happy to wait.
Regards,
Mike

**WVHighlander** · 8th October 12, 08:13 PM

I just received an email from Marcel van Rossum and my certificate is completed. I will post pics once I have it.

**Gael Ridire** · 9th October 12, 07:55 AM

Congratulations!!

**Dram** · 9th October 12, 08:05 AM

Looking forward to seeing it. Your CoA look fantastic, and I must say this process seems to have taken a relatively short time compared to the possible wait of two years in some cases. All in all it appears this process was pretty seamless.

**Mike_Oettle** · 12th October 12, 01:50 PM

The Bureau sent me a similar notification this week. (There was a bit of confusion at first, which is why I did not report it.)
Regards,
Mike

**WVHighlander** · 13th October 12, 09:18 PM

Yes, I saw the confusion etc. this week. Hopefully, this week its all straightened out and good to go. I am very excited about the receiving the final certificate and displaying it. This journey has been a host of educational experiences both with your country's Bureau and Scotland's Lord Lyon. I have the utmost respect for Mr. Marcel van Rossum and encourage anyone who wishes to have their own CoA, on their own merits and not from an ancestor who may or may not have wanted such a thing to look into South Africa. You receive an immense amount of assistance, and expertise in designing your CoA.....My CoA is vastly superior to the ones I had designed on my own and I credit it to the work of Mr. van Rossum.

Slanite,

John

**Mike_Oettle** · 14th October 12, 08:04 AM

In the case of my own arms I did not need advice from Marcel van Rossum, since I had already thrashed its details out on at least two heraldry forums.
I had also piloted two previous registrations through the Bureau, and in both instances I had excellent advice from Marcel’s predecessor, Fred Brownell – although in one instance I was obliged to go to battle with the Heraldry Committee over a ruling. An exception was made in this instance.
I visited Mr Brownell and his wife in Pretoria about five years ago, and received as a gift from him a copy of his book on the heraldry of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
My cousin and I also bought from him copies of his book on the history of the parish church he belongs to, which was the home parish of our mothers’ family.
Regards,
Mike