Switzerland, Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Church Records and other Miscellaneous City Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
| Access the Records | |
| This article describes a collection of records scheduled to become available at FamilySearch.org. | |
| Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen, Switzerland | |
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| Flag of the Swiss Confederation | |
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| Location of Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen, Switzerland | |
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| Location of Switzerland | |
| Record Description | |
| Record Type: | Church and Miscellaneous |
| Collection years: | 1434-1904 |
| Languages: | German, French |
| Title in the Language: | Schweiz, Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Stadt, Kirchenbücher und andere Sonstiges Stadt Records, 1434-1904 |
| FamilySearch Resources | |
| Related Websites | |
| Archive | |
| Stein am Rhein Stadarchiv | |
What Is in the Collection?
The collection consists of church records and other miscellaneous records including marines, emigration, notorial, and tax records from Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen, Switzerland. It also includes church records for the neighboring village of Burg. Stein am Rhein has its roots as medieval city on the modern border between Germany and Switzerland on the Rhein River. German King Henry II selected the city as a site for an abbey, which helped create its status as a trade and religious center. Today, it has one of the best preserved medieval city centers in Europe.
Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.
Index and Image Visibility
Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.
Reading These Records
These records are written in German and French. For help reading these records see:
- German Language and Languages
- German Genealogical Word List
- Germany Handwriting
- France Language and Languages
- French Genealogical Word List
- French Handwriting
- Script Tutorial for French
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What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
- Names of primary individuals
- Date and place of event
- Names of other family members
- Names of witnesses
Collection Content
Sample Images
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Christening Record
Marriage Record
Death Record
How Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
- Name of your ancestor
- Type of event
- Identifying information such as birth date or parent's names
View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the Historical Record Collections:- Select Collection Title to view the images
| You will be able to browse through images in this collection when it is published. |
How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log Keep in mind:
- There may be more than one person in the records with the same name
- You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name
- Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life
What Do I Do Next?
I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?
- Add any new information to your records
- Use the age to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records
- Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved, been recruited or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify. Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching vital records indexes in the country
- When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors
- Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900
I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?
- Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful
- While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times
- Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
- Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
- Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well
- Search the indexes and records of local genealogical societies
- Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800
- There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another
Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in Switzerland.
Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.
| Collection Citation: The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection. |
| Record Citation: When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information. |
| Image Citation: When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen. |