Avers Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Avers / Avras 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 Avers is in the Viamala Region and in the Graubünden canton. The municipality was located in the Hinterrhein district before 2017 and is the capital and only municipality in the Avers sub-district. After 2017, it was part of the Viamala Region. It includes the Jufer valley, the Averser branch of the Rhine, as well as the side valleys of Madris and Bergalga. The following villages are part of the municipality: Avers (as of 2006) had an area of 93.1 km2 (35.9 sq mi). The land use was divided up as follows:
 * Campsut (and Maxsut, 1,668 m (5,472 ft))
 * Cröt (1,715 m (5,627 ft))
 * Cresta (1,960 m (6,430 ft))
 * Pürt (1,921 m (6,302 ft))
 * Am Bach (1,959 m (6,427 ft))
 * Juppa (2,004 m (6,575 ft))
 * Podestatsch Hus (2,046 m (6,713 ft))
 * and Juf (2,126 m (6,975 ft)) which is the highest-altitude year-round settlement in Europe
 * 50% - agricultural purposes
 * 5.5% - forested
 * 0.5% - settled (buildings or roads)
 * 44% - unproductive land

History
In 1292, Avers was first mentioned by the name of Anue or Avre. In 1354, it was mentioned as Auers. The Avers municipality is in the Graubünden canton.

The population history of Avers is: 1645 - 498 inhabitants 1850 - 293 inhabitants 1900 - 204 inhabitants 1950 - 167 inhabitants 1960 - 270 inhabitants 2000 - 160 inhabitants 2020 - 164 inhabitants

As part of the League of Gods (from 1367), Avers became autonomous, concluded an alliance with the Confederation in 1498, and was part of the Three Leagues from 1524-1526. During the 12th or 13th century, it became attached to the Buchberg parish.

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
Avers is an ancient parish which became Reformed between 1525-1530. Church records begin in 1744. The following volumes are available on FamilySearch:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1744-1824
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1837-1875

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

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