Schuders Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Schuders 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 former municipality of Schuders was in the Schiers district, district Prättigau/Davos, and the Graubünden canton. It is a hillside settlement on the right above the Schraubachtobel on the way over the Schweizertor to the Austrian Montafon. It includes the hamlet of Salfsch, which was inhabited all year round until 1960.

History
In 1256, Schuders was first mentioned by the name of Schuder. In 1878 it became part of the municipality of Schiers.

The population history of Schiers is: 1850 - 114 inhabitants

In 1593, Schuders adopted the Reformation. In 1573-93, Schuders belonged to Schiers as a branch, then it was taken care of from Seewis until 1595. Since 1595, it has had its own pastor (temporarily also pastors from neighboring parishes) and is independent. The miners' chapel (Sainte-Anne) is listed for the first time in 1508 (renovated in 1929 and 1983).

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
Schuders was established as an independent parish in 1595. Church records begin in 1700. The following volumes are available on FamilySearch:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1700-1838
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1837-1875

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

The following censuses are available from FamilySearch for Schuders:
 * 1835
 * 1838
 * 1848
 * 1850
 * 1850, form C (enumerated with Schiers)

Civil Registration
Civil registration began in 1876. Schuders is part of the municipality of Schiers.

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 Schuders 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)