I need some help with researching my Swiss Family Genealogy. My father was Swiss and of course I know his Heimatort so have managed to get information on his paternal side of the family. However I only know where his mother was born. What I want to know is there any way of finding out where her Heimatort is?
Yep- it will be in your dad's documentation at his Heimatsort, who he married and what her Heimatsort was. Genealogy is esay peasy here.
Thank you so much for your quick reply Odile. However I am confused. I was told by the very nice, helpful lady in the office where my father's records are that she did not know where my grandmother's family records were. She was able to tell me where my grandmother was born. I am surprised that you say family history is easy in Switzerland. Has your experience been working within Switzerland? I am finding it difficult and frustrating trying to do it from Ireland.
It is my Swiss Grandmother's family that I am trying to find out about.
Normally in Switzerland on marriage certificates it says where the person is born, but mainly what their Heimatort is. For instance on official papers it mentions where I live and my Commune d'Origine/Heimatort (and not where I was born and where I lived until I went to the UK aged 19)- and I've only been there once in my life, and only a few years back. That's where our marriage is recorded and our children and grandchildren recorded too. They've never ever been there.
In my Swiss family book (apparently they've stopped this fairly recently)- it mentions both my parents and their respective place of residence and Heimatsort. From there, I can keep tracing back both male and female line.
Would you be able to come and visit the Gemeinde? If it was in Romandie (the French part) I'd be happy to help you, but not on the German side. Good luck.
What period of time are you talking about? Maybe if you mentionned the village, someone here will offer to help.
BTW I am currently reading a book about my father's mother's family- who emigrated to Melbourne to start up wine making there in the 1840s- and only just found out where they used to live- because on the official records it only gave the Heimatort (where my grandmother never lived- and is in Vaud Canton, whilst they always lived in Boudry Neuchâtel!).
Thank you so much for your offer of help Odile. However I am trying to do this research from Ireland. If I could find out for certain where her Heimatort is I would go there if necessary. My grandmother was born in 1885 in Lauterbrunnen, BE.
As said, where she was born in somewhat irrelevant- although in those days people where often born in their Heimatort, or very close. Your father's family book should say that he married XXXXXXXX from YYYYYYYY, which would be her Heimatort and not where she was born- but could be both the same. Mobility was not common in 19C rural areas. Your parents marriage certificate should be clear on this.
I bet there are still people in Lauterbrunnen who would have known your grandmother, or more importantly, who she was and her family history - and would be able to tell you. Editing here as run out of EF allowance
My parents where born 1912 and 1915 and their parents about the same time as your grand-parents. And loads of people remember my parents very well- and remember my grand-parents very well too- and would be able to tell exactly who was who from where... and more - honest (a bit like in rural Ireland).
My grandmother was born in 1885, so no one in Lauterbrunnen would remember her! She married in Amden SG in 1910.
My parents married in Dublin, Ireland. My father married an Irish woman.
+1 for this. Try contacting the municipality where she was born and see if they have records for her.
With Lauterbrunnen being in Bern the following should help:
Information regarding geneaology research in the Canton Berne:
http://www.pom.be.ch/pom/de/index/zi..._V_5%200_e.pdf
The translation is a bit shaky (i.e. where it says "written information" it means "written request for information"). But in a nutshell you can request the to provide excerpts from the various registries or you can register to inspect them yourself. Either of which may incur fees.
Some additional information:
http://www.pom.be.ch/pom/de/index/zi...forschung.html
You might be surprised. Many Swiss know an insane amount of stats of people in their home villages. Someone there will know someone who knew someone.
Thanks everyone for all your help and suggestions. The search goes on!