Pignia Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Pignia / Pignieu Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland, ancestry, family history, and genealogy: birth records, marriage records, death records, parish census, civil census, family history, area history, and military records.



Geography
The former municipality of Pignia is in the Schams sub-district of the Hinterrhein district and the Graubünden canton. It is located on the right bank of the Hinterrhein and Bogn.

History
In 1219, Pignia was first mentioned by the name of Pignigo. Pignia is in the Hinterrhein district and the Graubünden canton. Pignia merged into the Andeer municipality on 1 January 2009. Other municipalities merged include:
 * Andeer
 * Clugin

The population history of Pignia is: 1803 - 129 inhabitants 1850 - 177 inhabitants 1900 - 108 inhabitants 1950 - 107 inhabitants 1970 - 78 inhabitants 2000 - 111 inhabitants

Spiritually until 1601, Pignia took over from Saint-Martin de Zillis. In 1518, the chapel Saint-Valentin was first mentioned. Around 1530, Pignia accepted the Reformation. Between 1782 and 1840, Pignia became a parish. Later it attached to Andeer.

Church Records
Original church records are held in the local municipal archive or civil registration office. Microfilm copies are available at the Graubünden State Archives.

Digital images of church records are available on FamilySearch. These records have a restriction for use only at a FamilySearch center near you.

Catholic
Pignia belonged to the parish of Andeer until 1782. Church records begin in 1782. For earlier church records, see Andeer. The following volumes are available on FamilySearch:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1782-1837
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1837-1875

Census
(See here for information regarding Graubünden census records.)

The following censuses are available from FamilySearch for Pignia:
 * 1835
 * 1838
 * 1848
 * 1850
 * 1850, form C

Civil Registration
Civil registration began in 1876.

Duplicate civil registration registers are located at the Graubünden State Archives. The following records are available:
 * Both A and B registers are available through 1916-1917 and are open without restriction.
 * Family registers are available from at latest 1860 through 1910; these records are viewable but require permission to access. For more information, contact the State Archive.

Surnames
The following surnames held citizenship in Pignia prior to 1875:

Related sources
The town's website (in Romansh and German) can be found here.

Libraries and archives
State Archives of Graubünden

Societies
Rätische Vereinigung für Familienforschung (RVFF)

Società Genealogica della Svizzera italiana (SGSI)