Elsass-Lothringen Emigration and Immigration

Immigrants from Switzerland

The Earldom of Hanau-Lichtenberg lost most of its population during the 30 Years War. The authorites invited settlers from

Switzerland into the area. Around 3000 Swiss followed the invitation, 2400 from Bern. People from Simmental settled in Obersulzbach, the people from Diemtigtal settled in Rauschenburg and the ones from Oberaargau in Schalkendorf.

Source: Feller, Richard. Geschichte Berns. Bd. III. Verlag Herbert Land, Bern und Frankfurt/Main. 1974

Here is a link to research done on emigrants from the lower Elsass region

http://sonia-familyresearchs.blogspot.com/2007/11/ancestor-research-from-soultz-sous_10.html