Switzerland Occupations

Citizenship records and household registers (Bürger- und Haushaltungsregister; Registres de bourgeoisie et Livre des habitants)
Research use: Sometimes a useful linkage tool where several generations are listed; town of origin of an ancestor may be given.

Record type: Citizen lists and inhabitants of a given town; lists of persons entitled to the rights, privileges, and protection of a town or community.

Time Period: 1300-present. Some as early as the 12th century.

Content: Names, ages, sometimes social and economic status of citizens, occupations, town of origin, dates when citizenship rights in a town were acquired, sometimes family relationships including father, wife and father-in-law.

Location: State, city and town archives, some in print.

Population coverage: 20%.

Reliability: Good.

Guild and apprentice records (Zunftbücher und Lehrlingsregister Corporations de métiers et Apprentis Corporazione di mestiere e apprendiste)
Research use: Useful in determining vital data prior to or in place of church records.

Record type: Member records of merchants, craftsmen, tradesmen, skilled laborers, and indentures.

Time Period: 1500-1900.

Contents: Names, ages or birth dates, places of residence, names of parents, town of citizenship. Some guilds list all family members including birth and marriage dates.

Location: State and city archives.

Population coverage: 5-10%.

Reliability: Good.