Ruschein Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Ruschein 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 Ruschein is in the Ilanz sub-district of the Surselva district and the Graubünden canton. It is located on a terrace on the north side of the Vorderrhein Valley. It consists of the village of Ruschein and the settlement of Alp da Ruschein.

Ruschein (prior to 2014) has an area of 12.5 km² (4.8 square miles). The land use is divided up as follows:
 * 43.1% - agricultural purposes
 * 25.8% - forested
 * 3.0% - settled (buildings or roads)
 * 28.2% - non-productive

History
In 765, Ruschein was first mentioned by the name of Rucene. Ruschein is in the Surselva district and the Graubünden canton.

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

The population history of Ruschein is: 1850 - 245 inhabitants 1900 - 277 inhabitants 1940 - 327 inhabitants 1950 - 309 inhabitants 1980 - 283 inhabitants 1990 - 342 inhabitants 2000 - 356 inhabitants 2011 - 345 inhabitants

In 1440, the Saint George parish church was mentioned. Until 1526, the parish of Ruschein included Siat. Until 1684, the parish of Ruschein included Ladir. During the Reformation, Ruschein remained Catholic. The few Protestant families had to emigrate in 1556.

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.

Catholic
The parish of Ruschein is ancient. Ladir became independent in 1684. Church records begin in 1648. The following volumes are available on FamilySearch:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1648-1840
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1838-1875

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

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