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{{Switzerland | {{CountrySidebar | ||
{{breadcrumb | |Country=Switzerland | ||
|Name=Switzerland | |||
|Type=Topic | |||
|Topic Type=Records | |||
|Records=Church Records | |||
|Rating=Standardized | |||
}}{{breadcrumb | |||
| link1=[[Switzerland Genealogy|Switzerland]] | | link1=[[Switzerland Genealogy|Switzerland]] | ||
| link2= | | link2= | ||
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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.'' | ||
==Online Records== | |||
*'''1418-1996''' {{RecordSearch|4138674|Switzerland, Catholic and Reformed Church Records, 1418-1996}} at FamilySearch - [[Switzerland, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images; Incomplete and some indexed records incorrectly say Helvetia for the placename (Latin form for Switzerland) | |||
*'''1491-1940''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30090/switzerland-baptisms-1491-1940 Switzerland, Baptisms, 1491-1940] at MyHeritage - index ($) | |||
*'''1524-1800''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20728/switzerland-zurich-marriages-1524-1800?s=275764761 Switzerland, Zurich Marriages, 1524-1800] at MyHeritage ($) | |||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
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 | 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 (they 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. | ||
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===History=== | ===History=== | ||
The area now known as Switzerland was introduced to Christianity in the 300s. The Catholic Bishopric of Basel was established in 346. The area fully converted to Christianity by the 600s. The Old Swiss Confederacy was Catholic until the Reformation of the 1520s, which split the confederation into Protestant and Catholic cantons. <br> | The area now known as Switzerland was introduced to Christianity in the 300s. The Catholic Bishopric of Basel was established in 346. The area fully converted to Christianity by the 600s. The Old Swiss Confederacy was Catholic until the Reformation of the 1520s, which split the confederation into Protestant and Catholic cantons. <br> | ||
The Protestant Reformation led to the need for recording who was baptized in a particular religion. In Switzerland, the Reformation was begun in Zürich in the 1520s by Huldrych Zwingli, and quickly spread throughout the confederacy. The Counter-Reformation began in the 1540s and led to forcible conversion of some areas back to Catholicism. Eventually, each | The Protestant Reformation led to the need for recording who was baptized in a particular religion. In Switzerland, the Reformation was begun in Zürich in the 1520s by Huldrych Zwingli, and quickly spread throughout the confederacy. The Counter-Reformation began in the 1540s and led to forcible conversion of some areas back to Catholicism. Eventually, each canton was allowed to establish which religion it would follow, and all residents were required to belong to the established religion. This means that until recently, most cantons adhered to one specific denomination and virtually all residents of the canton belonged to that denomination. | ||
====Calendar Changes==== | |||
The change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar varied by religion and by canton, as shown below: | |||
*Catholic Cantons: '''1583''' | |||
*Protestant Cantons: '''1701''' (with the following exceptions:) | |||
**Sankt Gallen: '''1724''' | |||
**Appenzell Ausserrhoden: '''1798''' | |||
**Glarus: '''1798''' | |||
**Graubünden: '''1798''' | |||
===Denominations=== | ===Denominations=== | ||
[[Image:Switzerland_religions.png|right|600px]] | [[Image:Switzerland_religions.png|right|600px]]<br> | ||
[[File:Map of Roman Catholic Dioceses of Switzerland.png|500px|thumb|right|<center>Map of Roman Catholic Dioceses of Switzerland</center>]] | |||
====Major Denominations==== | ====Major Denominations==== | ||
*<span style="color:#87B940>'''Reformed''' (''Evangelisch-reformierte Kirche / église réformée'')</span>: The earliest Reformed churches began recording baptisms around 1520. Because it took decades for the Reformation spread across Switzerland in the 1500s, commencement dates may vary. By 1650 most Reformed parishes began keeping records. See the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Reformed_Church Wikipedia article] for more information. | |||
*<span style="color:#F16458>'''Roman Catholic''' (''Römisch-katholische | *<span style="color:#87B940">'''Reformed''' (''Evangelisch-reformierte Kirche / église réformée'')</span>: The earliest Reformed churches began recording baptisms around 1520. Because it took decades for the Reformation to spread across Switzerland in the 1500s, commencement dates may vary. By 1650 most Reformed parishes began keeping records. See the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Reformed_Church Wikipedia article] for more information. | ||
*<span style="color:#F16458">'''Roman Catholic''' (''Römisch-katholische Kirche / église catholique / chiesa cattolica'')</span>: Catholic parish records were mandated by the Council of Trent in 1563, though commencement dates may vary. See the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Switzerland Wikipedia article] for more information. | |||
====Other Denominations==== | ====Other Denominations==== | ||
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==Information in Church Records== | ==Information in Church Records== | ||
===Baptisms (''Taufen / baptêmes'') === | ===Baptisms (''Taufen / baptêmes'')=== | ||
Children were usually baptized a few days after birth. Because a birth meant that a new citizen was born (even if the family were not local citizens), baptism books were usually very specific in identifying places of citizenship for children. In some areas, separate sections or even separate books were kept to separate these entries from local citizens. Depending on your parish, you may find the following types of baptism books: | Children were usually baptized a few days after birth. Because a birth meant that a new citizen was born (even if the family were not local citizens), baptism books were usually very specific in identifying places of citizenship for children. In some areas, separate sections or even separate books were kept to separate these entries from local citizens. Depending on your parish, you may find the following types of baptism books: | ||
*Baptism register (''Taufbuch / baptêmes''): Baptisms of residents. This is a generic baptism book that may include the other types of baptisms. | *Baptism register (''Taufbuch / baptêmes''): Baptisms of residents. This is a generic baptism book that may include the other types of baptisms. | ||
*Baptism register, citizen residents (''Taufbuch Bürger / baptêmes des citoyens''): Baptism book that only includes residents of the parish who '''are''' citizens of the parish. | *Baptism register, citizen residents (''Taufbuch Bürger / baptêmes des citoyens''): Baptism book that only includes residents of the parish who '''are''' citizens of the parish. | ||
*Baptism register, Non- | *Baptism register, Non-resident citizens (''Taufbuch auswärtige Bürger / baptêmes des citoyens étrangers''): Baptism book that only includes citizens of the parish who live outside the boundaries of the parish. These records are '''not''' chronological by baptism date, but are recorded in the order in which the priest was notified of the baptism. <br> | ||
*Baptism register, non- | *Baptism register, non-citizen residents (''Taufbuch Ausbürger / baptêmes des citoyens expatriés''; sometimes seen as ''Nichtbürger / non-citoyens''): Baptism book that only includes residents of the parish who are '''not''' citizens of the parish. | ||
This means that you may find up to '''two''' baptism records of a child: the original in the place of residence, and the duplicate in the place of citizenship. Each priest may record different information for the baptism; be sure to identify all copies of the baptism. <br> | This means that you may find up to '''two''' baptism records of a child: the original in the place of residence, and the duplicate in the place of citizenship. Each priest may record different information for the baptism; be sure to identify all copies of the baptism. <br> | ||
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*indicate whether they were single or widowed | *indicate whether they were single or widowed | ||
*give the names of witnesses | *give the names of witnesses | ||
*include other information about the bride and groom | *include other information about the bride and groom, such as: | ||
**ages | **ages | ||
**birth dates and places | **birth dates and places | ||
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*the deceased's age | *the deceased's age | ||
*place of residence | *place of residence | ||
*cause of death | *cause of death | ||
*spouse's name | *spouse's name | ||
*the names of survivors | *the names of survivors | ||
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[[Image:Switzerland_church_records_online.png|right|500px]] | [[Image:Switzerland_church_records_online.png|right|500px]] | ||
This map shows which records for Switzerland are available outside of the Swiss archives: | This map shows which records for Switzerland are available outside of the Swiss archives: | ||
*<span style="color:#87B940>'''dark green'''</span>: records are available online, either at FamilySearch or at the canton archive website | |||
*<span style="color:#BFD730>'''light green'''</span>: some records are available online at FamilySearch | *<span style="color:#87B940">'''dark green'''</span>: records are available online, either at FamilySearch or at the canton archive website | ||
*<span style="color:#9C947A>'''brown'''</span>: records are available on microfilm at the | *<span style="color:#BFD730">'''light green'''</span>: some records are available online at FamilySearch | ||
*<span style="color:#9C947A">'''brown'''</span>: records are available on microfilm at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah | |||
*'''white''': records are only available on-site in Switzerland | *'''white''': records are only available on-site in Switzerland | ||
====Church Records by Canton==== | ====Church Records by Canton==== | ||
*[[Aargau_Canton,_Switzerland_Genealogy#Church_Records|Aargau ('''AG''')]] | *[[Aargau_Canton,_Switzerland_Genealogy#Church_Records|Aargau ('''AG''')]] | ||
*[[Appenzell_Ausserrhoden_Canton,_Switzerland_Genealogy#Church_Records|Appenzell Ausserrhoden ('''AR''')]] | *[[Appenzell_Ausserrhoden_Canton,_Switzerland_Genealogy#Church_Records|Appenzell Ausserrhoden ('''AR''')]] | ||
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==Microfilmed/Digitized Records== | ==Microfilmed/Digitized Records== | ||
All microfilm copies of parish registers held by the | All microfilm copies of parish registers held by the FamilySearch Library have been digitized on FamilySearch; however, due to contractual agreements, some records may not be shown online. To access online records on FamilySearch, follow these instructions:<br> | ||
#Click on this link for the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId= | #Click on this link for the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=1927039&query=%2Bplace%3A%22Switzerland%22 Switzerland FamilySearch Catalog.] | ||
#A list "Places within Switzerland" will open. Click on the appropriate canton. | #A list "Places within Switzerland" will open. Click on the appropriate canton. | ||
#A list "Places within (your canton) will open. Select your parish. | #A list "Places within (your canton) will open. Select your parish. | ||
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| | | | ||
===Language Map of Switzerland=== | ===Language Map of Switzerland=== | ||
[[File: | [[File:Map_Languages_CH.png|400px]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
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**[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/old-german-script-part-2 Part 2] | **[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/old-german-script-part-2 Part 2] | ||
**[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/old-german-script-german-church-and-civil-records-part-3 Part 3 (German Church and Civil Records)] | **[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/old-german-script-german-church-and-civil-records-part-3 Part 3 (German Church and Civil Records)] | ||
==Search Strategy== | ==Search Strategy== | ||
This search strategy will help you determine what to write for. Limit | This search strategy will help you determine what to write for. Limit your requests to just one of these steps at a time. Once you have established that the parish is cooperative and perhaps more willing to do more extensive research (for a fee), you might be able to ask them for more at a time. | ||
*Search for the relative or ancestor you selected. | *Search for the relative or ancestor you selected. | ||