The details shared here are based on a treasured family register left to me by my father, chronicling the origins and legacy of the Pitel family name.

🇫🇷 Origins in France

The family lineage begins with Phillipe Pistel (known later as Pitel in Germany), born on 3 August 1723 in Falaise, France.

Based on correspondence with contacts in France, the Pistel family were weavers and advisors to the King of France.

Around 1760, the family relocated from France to Germany.

🇩🇪 Life in Germany

Nicolaus Ludwig Pitel, son of Phillipe, was born in Neuwied, Germany on 28 July 1772.

He married Anna Katherina Elisabeth Kochendörffer, born 16 January 1780 in Cassel, Germany.

Their son, Johan Christian Theodor Pitel, was born in Cassel on 9 September 1816 — my great-great-grandfather.

Johan's son, Conrad Martin Pitel (my great-grandfather), was born on 22 February 1865 in Cassel and later emigrated to South Africa around 1893.

✍️ A Glimpse into the Past

In 1922, Conrad Martin wrote a letter recounting his travels from 1884 to 1899, relying solely on memory.

The document has been transcribed as faithfully as possible.

The original handwritten version is preserved in the latter half of the file. 👉 Click here to read the letter.

💍 Family in South Africa

Conrad Martin Pitel married twice:

• Engela Petronella Steyn — married in 1894 in Heidelberg, Transvaal (passed away in 1899).
• Johanna Petronella van der Berg — married in 1903 in Belfast, Transvaal.

Children from his first marriage:

• Anna Dorothea Susanna Cornelia Pitel (b. 4 June 1895, d. 29 December 1931)
• Johan Christiaan Theodor Pitel (b. & d. 23 September 1899) — passed away during childbirth.

Children from his second marriage:

• Johannes Willem Jacobus Pitel (my grandfather) — b. 2 June 1904 in Standerton, Transvaal, d. 4 April 1990 in Belfast.
• Johan Conrad Theodor Pitel — b. 19 September 1905, d. 12 November 1958
• Daniel Johannes Hendrik Pitel — b. 13 April 1908 (date of death unknown)

🧬 My Immediate Lineage

My father, Johannes Willem Jacobus Pitel, was born on 21 November 1929 in Heidelberg, Transvaal, and passed away on 27 November 2002.

He married Cornelia Johanna Magdalena Marais (b. 12 August 1931 Dod. 24 September 2025) on 3 April 1954.

I am their only child, born in 1956, and I have two children:

• Martin — born 1980
• Vanessa — born 1989