Masein Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Masein / Masagn 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 Masein (Romansh: Masagn) is in the Viamala Region and the Graubünden canton. It is located on the lower Heinzenberg and includes the two settlements of Ober- and Unter-Masein and the hamlets of Dalaus, Cresta, and Lochmüli.

Masein (as of 2006) has an area of 4.2 km² (1.6 sq square miles). The land use is divided up as follows:
 * 38.4% - agricultural purposes
 * 52% - forested
 * 6% - settled (buildings or roads)
 * 3.6% - non-productive

History
In 1156, Masein was first mentioned by the name of de Medezenu. Masein (Romansh: Masagn) is in the Thusis sub-district, of the Hinterrhein district, and the Graubünden canton. After 2017, Masein became part of the Viamala Region.

The population history of Masein is: 1803 - 198 inhabitants 1850 - 198 inhabitants 1900 - 228 inhabitants 1950 - 270 inhabitants 2000 - 366 inhabitants 2010 - 409 inhabitants 2020 - 500 inhabitants

The Church of St. Florinus was first recorded in 1441. From a spiritual point of view, Masein belonged to Hohenrätien and since 1505, it has been a branch of Thusis. In 1525, Masein adopted the Reformation. In 1731-1873, it had its own pastor.

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
Masein belonged to Thusis until 1737, when it became an independent parish. Church records begin in 1742. For earlier records, see Thusis. The following volumes are available on FamilySearch:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1742-1811
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1742-1838 (gap: 1758-1774)
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1837-1875

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

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