Riein Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Riein 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 Riein is in the Ilanz sub-district of the Surselva district and the Graubünden canton. It is located at the entrance to the Lumnezia Valley on a terrace east of the Glenner River. The municipality of Riein consists of the haufendorf village (unplanned and closely packed village built around a central square) of Riein and the hamlet of Signina.

Riein (prior to 2014) has an area of 15.8 km² (6.1 square miles). The land use is divided up as follows:
 * 21.9% - agricultural purposes
 * 37.2% - forested
 * 0.9% - settled (buildings or roads)
 * 39.9% - non-productive

History
In 765, Riein was first mentioned by the name of Renino. In 960 as Raine. Riein is in the Surselva district and the Graubünden canton.

Riein merged into the Ilanz/Glion municipality on 1 January 2014. Other municipalities merged include:
 * Castrisch
 * Duvin
 * Ilanz
 * Ladir
 * Luven
 * Pigniu
 * Pitasch
 * Rueun
 * Ruschein
 * Schnaus
 * Sevgein
 * Siat

The population history of Riein is: 1850 - 218 inhabitants 1900 - 169 inhabitants 1930 - 118 inhabitants 1950 - 126 inhabitants 1960 - 104 inhabitants 1970 - 91 inhabitants 1980 - 92 inhabitants 1990 - 89 inhabitants 2000 - 71 inhabitants 2011 - 67 inhabitants

In 840, a private church was mentioned. In 1487, the Saint Nazaire Church was mentioned. The Riein parish was founded. In 1526, the Reformation was introduced.

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.

Reformed
The parish of Riein has been independent since at least 1487. In 1526 it became Reformed. Fires in 1879 and 1880 almost completely destroyed the village. Church records begin in 1817. In 1872, the parish was merged with Pitasch. The following volume is only available on microfilm at the Graubünden State Archives:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1817-1866

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

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