An archivist's error? Notes on the origin of two farm names in the Western Cape.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Die skrywer ontleed in hierdie bydrae die oorsprong van die name Bakkeley Plaats en Vredendal, twee buurplase in die westelike Kaapprovinsie. Hy bevraagteken die geldigheid van 'n verklaring omtrent die plaasname deur 'n voormalige hoofargivaris en lig sy eie standpunt toe aan die hand van argivale bronne, tydgenootlike verslae van vroeë reisigers en persoonlike mededelings van ou ingesetenes.• Summary: In this short paper the author examines the origin of the names Bakkeley Plaats and Vredendal, two adjacent farms in the Western Cape. He questions the validity of a former chief archivist's explanation of these farm names and uses archival sources, contemporary reports of early travellers and personal communications of old inhabitants to make his point.