Switzerland Compiled Genealogies

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Swiss Compiled Genealogies
A good source for Swiss compiled genealogy references is a book written by Mario von Moos. The Family History Library reference is 949.4 D23v. This book is not on microfilm. It is a bibliography of compiled genealogies of Swiss families giving the locality where the family lived. A repository is given as to where the published genealogy is located. Many Swiss emigrants came to Pennsylvania in the 18th century. This book contains over 9,000 entries of genealogies of Swiss families that have been compiled.

Julius Billeter produced records covering at least one thousand family names, with each surname covering well over a thousand individuals. Most of his research is available at the Family History Library; many of these genealogies can be found using the surname search in the Family History Library Catalog. His work is a good starting point, but does not include sources. Many of the FHC films show completed LDS ordinances. His original notes are held at the Basel Genealogical Society; for a complete index of his holdings, click here.

As with all compiled research, these genealogies are prone to errors. Julius Billeter's research, in particular, is suspect; in some cases, more than 25% of his generational connections are incorrect. For a more thorough analysis of Billeter's research, read the article here. Many of these genealogies do not have further source information, nor explanations to generational connections. It is encouraged to check the information within these genealogies against primary sources (church books, family registers, etc.) to ensure that the research is correct. In particular, pay attention to the connections between generations; in most cases, numerous persons with the same name lived in the same parish at the same time, and it is easy to connect the wrong person to a family tree.

A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:

Switzerland, Schaffhausen Genealogies and City Directories (FamilySearch Historical Records)