Switzerland Genealogy References (Schweiz / Suisse / Svizzera) 🇨🇭
Genealogical research in Switzerland requires knowing the ancestor's Heimatort (place of origin/citizenship), as vital records were typically recorded there, not necessarily the place of residence. Research is managed primarily by the 26 Cantonal Archives, which often hold the crucial pre-1876 Church Registers (Kirchenbücher). The following links focus on the primary tools for identifying the Heimatort and accessing digitized records.
Essential Swiss Research Tools & Guides 📜
- Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz (Register of Swiss Surnames) (Definitive resource to find the citizenship place (Heimatort) for any Swiss surname as of 1962)
- Swiss Society for Genealogical Studies (SGFF/SSGS) (The main national professional genealogical society and guide)
- Switzerland Genealogy Guide (FamilySearch Wiki - The best step-by-step guide to records)
- Swiss Federal Archives (SFA/BAR) (National level archives, useful for emigration, military, and federal administrative records)
- Switzerland and the United States (Swiss Government advice on research)
- Cyndi’s List - Switzerland / Suisse / Schweiz (Comprehensive directory)
Cantonal Archives & Church Records (Kirchenbücher) ⛪
Research must be done canton by canton. These are the portals for the records themselves.
- Canton Bern State Archives (Direct access to digitized parish registers (Kirchenbücher) for Bern)
- Canton Zürich State Archives (Guide to family history research and civil registry duplicates)
- FamilySearch - Switzerland Church Records, 1277-1992 (Major digitized collection of church records; access varies by canton/contract)
- List of Swiss Cantons (Quick reference for jurisdictions)
- Guide to the Church Books of Canton Bern, Switzerland (PDF guide)
Regional and Collaborative Resources 🤝
- Ad Fontes (Academic online tool for handling and transcribing old written sources, essential for German Kurrentschrift)
- Geneanet (Switzerland) (Collaborative index/trees for Swiss families)
- Swiss Genealogy Advice (Swiss Center of North America resources)
- Switzerland GenWeb (WorldGenWeb portal)
Cantonal-Specific Guides (Examples)
- FamilySearch Wiki (Bern Canton Research)
- BYU (Bern Canton)
- Researching family histories / genealogy Bern Canton (State Archives guide)
Credits
Compiled by Mark Rabideau, Opa & Professional Genealogist.