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Switzerland Church Records: Difference between revisions
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''For information about records for non-Christian religions in Switzerland, go to the [[Switzerland Religious Records|Religious Records]] page.'' | ''For information about records for non-Christian religions in Switzerland, go to the [[Switzerland Religious Records|Religious Records]] page.'' | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Church records (parish registers, church books) are an important source for genealogical research in | Church records (parish registers, church books) are an important source for genealogical research in Switzerland before civil registration began. They recorded details of baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. The vast majority of the population was mentioned. In addition, church records can contain financial account books, (the record charges for toll bells, fees for masses for the dead, and so on), lists of confirmation, penance register communion lists, lists of members and family books. | ||
You will need to know the religion of your ancestors, as different religions kept separate records. The main religious division in Switzerland was between Catholics (''Katholische'' or ''Catholique'') and Reformed Protestants (''Reformierte'' or ''Réformée''). Catholic records are usually written in Latin or the local language, while other records will be written in the local language. | You will need to know the religion of your ancestors, as different religions kept separate records. The main religious division in Switzerland was between Catholics (''Katholische'' or ''Catholique'') and Reformed Protestants (''Reformierte'' or ''Réformée''). Catholic records are usually written in Latin or the local language, while other records will be written in the local language. | ||