Tschappina Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Tschappina 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 municipality of Tschappina (Romansh: Chupegna) is in the Viamala Region and the Graubünden canton. It includes scattered settlements over the upper Heinzenberg mountains, at an elevation of 1,384–1,846 meters (4,541–6,056 ft). The settlements consist of Unter- and Ober-Tschappina, Ober Gmeind, User and Inner Glas.

Tschappina (as of 2006) has an area of 24.7 km² (9.5 square miles). The land use is divided up as follows:
 * 42.2% - agricultural purposes
 * 26.8% - forested
 * 1% - settled (buildings or roads)
 * 30% - non-productive

History
In 1396, Tschappina was first mentioned by the name of in Schipinen. Before 2017, Tschappina (Romansh: Chupegna) was in the Thusis sub-district, of the Hinterrhein district and the Graubünden canton. After 2017, Tschappina became part of the Viamala Region.

The population history of Tschappina is: 1803 - 330 inhabitants 1850 - 251 inhabitants 1900 - 209 inhabitants 1950 - 209 inhabitants 2000 - 151 inhabitants 2020 - 134 inhabitants

Ecclesiastically, Tschappina was part of St. Johann auf Hohenrätien and from 1505 to Portein. In 1459, the chapel St. Joder (Theodor) in Tschappina is mentioned. The Reformation was adopted after 1525. Tschappina had its own parish from the first half of the 16th century.

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.

Reformed
Tschappina has been a parish since it became Reformed in 1525. Church records begin in 1582. The following volumes are available on FamilySearch:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1582-1752
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1750-1836
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1837-1875

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

The following censuses are available from FamilySearch for Tschappina:
 * 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 Tschappina 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)