Hoewel die navorsingstydperk van hierdie werk deur die titel aangedui word as die jare
tussen 1600 en 1900, sluit die data hierin vervat, 'n effens langer tydperk in. Die geskiedenis
begin by die geboorte van Barend Wesselszoon Schulte in Duitsland in 1596 en gaan in
sommige gevalIe deur tot op datum. Die rede hiervoor is dat soveel mede-navorsers hul
voltooide registers aan my voorgelê het, dat dit onregverdig sou wees om die gegewe data nie
in te sluit nie. Baie persone het ongelukkig nie op my navrae in die pers reageer nie, en hulle
registers eindig gevolglik in die jare ietwat voor 1900; omdat ek wel 'n sperdatum moes stel.
My grateful appreciation goes to all those members of the clan, also overseas, who so
enthusiastically and proudly, persisted in keeping the family ties alive and my morale up
during many years of intensive and often frustrating research. It was never my intention to
compile a 'Who's Who' of prominent Pretorius' . I sincerely hope though, that this book will
inspire clan members to document achievements of Pretorius' past and present. The photos,
articles and other material included in this book are an attempt to illustrate how interesting
family research can be and were made available in good faith by fellow enthusiasts.
There is no need for bilingualism in this book, as the language of genealogy is international.
