Zillis Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Zillis / Ziraun 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 Zillis-Reischen (Romansh: Ziràn-Reschen) is in the Viamala Region and the Graubünden canton. Zillis-Reischen is situated in the valley of the Hinterrhein.

Zillis-Reischen (as of 2006) has an area of 24.5 km² (9.5 square miles). The land use is divided up as follows:
 * 32.5% - agricultural purposes
 * 42.8% - forested
 * 1.8% - settled (buildings or roads)
 * 22.9% - non-productive

History
In the first half of the 9th Century, Zillis was first mentioned by the name of Ciranes. In 1219, Reischen was first mentioned by the name of de Rexeno. In 1875, Zillis-Reischen was formed with the union of the previously independent municipalities of Reischen and Zillis. Before 2017, Zillis-Reischen (Romansh: Ziràn-Reschen) was in the Schams sub-district, of the Hinterrhein district and the Graubünden canton. After 2017, Zillis-Reischen became part of the Viamala Region.

The population history of Zillis-Reischen is: 1780 - 295 inhabitants with Reischen 1850 - 392 inhabitants 1900 - 263 inhabitants 1950 - 276 inhabitants 1960 - 315 inhabitants 1970 - 318 inhabitants 1980 - 252 inhabitants 1990 - 312 inhabitants 2000 - 330 inhabitants 2020 - 389 inhabitants

A first church complex in Zillis dates from around 500, the three-apse hall from the 8th century. The Reichsguturbar from around 840 listed the royal land of the parish church of St. Martin. In 1530-1535, the inhabitants of Zillis adopted the Reformation. In Reischen, the Reformation took place in 1530-35, the church, a branch of Zillis, dates from 1709.

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
The parish of Zillis was first mentioned around 840; it became Reformed around 1530-1535. Church records begin in 1660. The following volumes are available on FamilySearch:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1660-1821
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1821-1837
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1837-1875

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

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