Ilanz/Glion Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Ilanz/Glion 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 Ilanz (Romansh: Glion) is in the Ilanz sub-district of the Surselva district and the Graubünden canton. In 2014, the municipality of Ilanz/Glion was created when several municipalities were merged. It is located at a fork of the Surselva and the Vrin/Vals valley and is split by the Piz Mundaun mountain. The neighboring villages of Ruschein, Ladir, Vrin, Vals, and Obersaxen are accessed through Ilanz.

The town of Ilanz has an area of 4.7 km² (1.8 square miles). The land use is divided up as follows: The municipality of Ilanz/Glion (after the merge in 2014) has a total combined area of 133.48 km2 (51.54 sq mi).
 * 24.9% - agricultural purposes
 * 50.6% - forested
 * 18.7% - settled (buildings or roads)
 * 5.7% - non-productive

History
In 765, Ilanz was first mentioned by the name of "Iliande. In 1395, the capital of a newly formed Grey League became Ilanz. This new league was the second of Three Leagues that later formed the Graubünden canton.

Ilanz (Romansh: Glion) is in the Surselva district and the Graubünden canton.

On 1 January 1978, the new municipality of Ilanz was created with the merge of the Strada municipality and the town of Ilanz.

Ilanz merged into the Ilanz/Glion municipality on 1 January 2014. Other municipalities merged include:
 * Castrisch (first mentioned in 765 as Castrices)
 * Duvin (first mentioned about 840 as Auna. In 1290 it was mentioned as Aiuns.)
 * Ladir (first mentioned about 850 as Leitura)
 * Luven (first mentioned in 765 as Lobene)
 * Pigniu (first mentioned in 1522. Until 1984 Pigniu was known as Pigniu/Panix.)
 * Pitasch (first mentioned about 801–50 as Pictaui. In 960 it was mentioned as in Pictaso.)
 * Riein (first mentioned in 765 as Renino. In 960 it was mentioned as Raine.)
 * Rueun (first mentioned in 765 as Ruane. Until 1943 Rueun was known as Ruis.)
 * Ruschein (first mentioned in 765 as Rucene)
 * Schnaus (first mentioned about 840 as Scanaues)
 * Sevgein (first mentioned about 840 as Soviene)
 * Siat (first mentioned about 840 as Septe. Until 1943 Siat was known as Seth.)

The population history of Ilanz is: 1835 - 574 inhabitants 1850 - 663 inhabitants 1860 - 701 inhabitants 1870 - 709 inhabitants 1880 - 861 inhabitants 1890 - 787 inhabitants 1900 - 981 inhabitants 1910 - 1,228 inhabitants 1920 - 1,366 inhabitants 1930 - 1,511 inhabitants 1940 - 1,555 inhabitants 1950 - 1,640 inhabitants 1960 - 1,882 inhabitants 1970 - 1,824 inhabitants 1980 - 2,120 inhabitants 1990 - 2,282 inhabitants 2000 - 2,488 inhabitants 2011 - 2,327 inhabitants 2020 - 4,797 inhabitants

Per the 2000 census:
 * 63.4% were Roman Catholic
 * 22.6% were Swiss Reformed Church
 * 3.78% were Orthodox Church
 * 0.76% were Other Christian Church

In 765, the center of the parish was the church of Saint-Martin. In 1288, the Sainte-Marguerite church was mentioned. In 1465, the Church of St. Valentin was dedicated. Ilanz has a special place in the history of the Protestant Reformation. In 1526, the Ilanz Reformation resulted in a shock to the Catholic Church. The Church of St. Martin and the Church of St. Margreta are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance.

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

Catholic
A new Catholic church was established in 1859 after an influx of Catholic workers in the area. Before 1859, Catholics belonged to the parish of Sagogn. Church records begin in 1860. For earlier records, see Sagogn. The following volumes are only available on microfilm at the Graubünden State Archives:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1860-1880
 * Registers of Catholics

Reformed
The Catholic parish of Ilanz/Glion is ancient, first mentioned in 765. The parish became Reformed in 1526. The parish includes Strada im Oberland; Schnaus belonged to Ilanz/Glion until 1700, while Flond became independent in 1731. Church records begin in 1595. The following volumes are available on FamilySearch:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1595-1726
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials, confirmations 1726-1836
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1837-1875
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1860-1874

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

The following censuses are available from FamilySearch for Ilanz/Glion:
 * 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 Ilanz/Glion 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)