Switzerland Business and Occupations

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Business and Occupations

Many Germans came as early as 1637 to Zürich to practice their trades, such as printers, bakers, dyers, goldsmiths, coopers, painters and many others. In the same time period there were more than 50 German girls serving as servants. According to an article by Konrad Schulthess, at this time there was a German population of about 200 people serving in various capacities.

Citizenship records and household registers
(Bürger- und Haushaltungsregister; Registres de bourgeoisie et Livre des habitants)

Research use: Sometimes a useful linkage tool where several generations are listed; town of origin of an ancestor may be given.

Record type: Citizen lists and inhabitants of a given town; lists of persons entitled to the rights, privileges, and protection of a town or community.

Time Period: 1300-present. Some as early as the 12th century.

Content: Names, ages, sometimes social and economic status of citizens, occupations, town of origin, dates when citizenship rights in a town were acquired, sometimes family relationships including father, wife and father-in-law.

Guild and apprentice records
(Zunftbücher und Lehrlingsregister
Corporations de métiers et Apprentis
Corporazione di mestiere e apprendiste)

Research use: Useful in determining vital data prior to or in place of church records.

Record type: Member records of merchants, craftsmen, tradesmen, skilled laborers, and indentures.

Time Period: 1500-1900.

Contents: Names, ages or birth dates, places of residence, names of parents, town of citizenship. Some guilds list all family members including birth and marriage dates.

Location: State and city archives.