Vechigen Parish, Bern, Switzerland Genealogy

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Geography
Vechigen lies about 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of Bern, in the upper Worblental, or Worblen valley. It includes the villages of Vechigen, Sinneringen, and Boll in the valley, Utzigen on the mountain slopes, and numerous hamlets and farm houses. Vechigen has a land area of 24.83 square kilometers (9.59 square miles).

History
The first mention of Vechigen was in 1275 as Vechingen. The valley and mountain belonged to the Baron of Belp-Montenach until 1298, when it became part of the city of Bern. Vechigen was considered one of the four outer parishes of Bern; until 1798, residents of Vechigen were also considered citizens of Bern.

Vechigen is an ancient parish; the parish church, St. Martin, was mentioned in 1275. The current church dates from 1513/1514, with the bell tower dating from 1486.

In 1834, the municipality of Vechigen, with the same boundaries as the church parish, was established, with four quarters; Vechigen, Sinneringen with Boll and Dentenberg, Utzigen with Lindental, and Berg with Littewil and Radelfingen. These quaters were abolished in 1966.

In 1764, Vechigen had 1,569 residents. By 1798, the number had risen to 1,891. By 1850, its population stood at 2,692. As of 2012, the population of Vechigen stood at 4,809.

Locations within Vechigen
Vechigen was divided into 4 quarters or "Viertel" from 1834 to 1996. The number that follows the location indicates how many houses were established in that location in 1838.

Church Records
The Family History Library has microfilm copies of the church registers of Vechigen. The parish registers for Vechigen were recorded in the following volumes, as numbered by the Cantonal Archive of Bern.The links are to the church records that are available online at FamilySearch. See here for an article describing this collection in more detail.

Genealogies
(see here for article describing Swiss compiled genealogies)

The following genealogies have been researched for Vechigen families: Althaus family, by Julius Billeter Bigler family, by Julius Billeter (FHL Film 193,468) Dellsperger family, by Fritz Emanuel Dellsperger (FHL book) Gfeller family, by Julius Billeter (FHL Film 564,385) Grunder familly, by Julius Billeter (FHL Film 422,454) Kiener family, by Julius Billeter Lehmann family, by Julius Billeter (FHL Film 128,069) Maurer family, by Julius Billeter (FHL Film 422,463; see also FHL Film 193,478) Schmutz family, by Julius Billeter (FHL Film 128,069; see also FHL Film 193,483) Schmutz family, by J. P. Zwicky (FHL Film 128,070) Solothurmann/Solterman family, by Julius Billeter (FHL Film 391,097; see also 193,484) Spring family, by Julius Billeter (FHL Film 422,446) Stämpfli family, by Julius Billeter (FHL Film 193,484) Stettler family, by Julius Billeter (FHL Film 564,385; see also FHL Film 193,485) Wegmüller family, by Julius Billeter Werthmüller family, by Julius Billeter

Civil Registration
Civil registration began in 1876. Vechigen belongs to the Bern-Mittelland civil registration district. Records are only available in Switzerland. For further information, contact the civil registry office at:

Zivilstandskreis Bern-Mittelland Laupenstrasse 18a CH-3008 Bern

Tel: +41 31 635 42 00

email: [mailto:za.mittelland@pom.be.ch za.mittelland@pom.be.ch]

Surnames
The following surnames held citizenship in Vechigen prior to 1875:

Related Sources
The town's website (in German) can be found here.

Societies and Libraries
Cantonal Archive of Bern