Landarenca Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Landarenca 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
Landarenca is a former municipality of Graubünden, district of Calanca, district of Moesa. Landarenca was part of the municipality of Calanca until 1851. It was an autonomous municipality from 1851 to 1980. In 1980, Landarenca merged with Arvigo. Since 2015, it has been part of the municipality of Calanca. The village is located on a terrace high above the right bank of the Calancasca at 1272 m.

History
In 1550, Landarenca was first mentioned by the name of Lan Darencha. Landarenca is a former municipality of Graubünden. Landarenca was part of the municipality of Calanca until 1851. It was an autonomous municipality from 1851 to 1980. In 1980, Landarenca merged with Arvigo. Since 2015, it has been part of the municipality of Calanca.

The population history of Landarenca is: 1773 - 117 inhabitants 1850 - 71 inhabitants 1900 - 72 inhabitants 1950 - 37 inhabitants 1970 - 20 inhabitants 1990 - 14 inhabitants

The village is accessible only by the cable car, which opened in 1961 (about 400 m below) or on a mule track. The church of Landarenca, mentioned in 1529, is dedicated to Saints Bernard and Nicolas; it underwent various transformations, in the 17th century especially, and was restored in 1969-1974.

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.

Catholic
Landarenca has been a parish since at least 1529. Church records begin in 1680. The following volumes are only available on microfilm at the Graubünden State Archives:
 * Baptisms 1680-1767; Status animarum 1718
 * Marriages 1767-1817
 * Burials 1818-1837; Status animarum 1819
 * Baptisms 1838-1906; marriages 1838-1896; burials 1838-1901; confirmations 1844-1903

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

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