Santa Domenica Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Santa Domenica 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 political community of Santa Domenica was in the Moesa district and in the Graubünden canton. Since 1982, it has been part of the political community of Rossa. The village, at 1040 m, is situated at the narrowest point of the Calanca valley, almost vertically above the Calancasca river.

History
The former political community of Santa Domenica was in the Graubünden canton. Until 1796, Santa Domenica was part of the Municipality of Calanca, from 1796 to 1851 to the Inner Calanca. In 1851, the village became autonomous. In 1982, the municipalities of Augio and Santa Domenica were merged with Rossa.

The population history of Santa Domenica is: 1733 - 191 inhabitants 1808 - 280 inhabitants 1850 - 102 inhabitants 1900 - 110 inhabitants 1950 - 41 inhabitants 1980 - 23 inhabitants

The parish church of Santa Domenica was built in 1664-72 on a previous building from 1414. The chapel of the Madonna Addolorata (Mother of Sorrows) dates from the 17th century. The chapel of the Immacolata (Immaculate Conception) is from the 19th 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.

Catholic
The first parish church in Santa Domenica was established in 1414. Church records begin in 1681. The following volumes are available on FamilySearch:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1681-1837; Status animarum 1681, 1685, 1713, 1745, 1752
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1838-1875
 * Status animarum 1824-1846

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

The following censuses are available from FamilySearch for Santa Domenica:
 * 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 Santa Domenica prior to 1875:

Related sources
The town's website (in Italian) can be found here.

Libraries and archives
State Archives of Graubünden

Societies
Rätische Vereinigung für Familienforschung (RVFF)

Società Genealogica della Svizzera italiana (SGSI)