Surcasti Parish, Graubünden, Switzerland Genealogy

Description: Guide to Surcasti / Obercastels 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 Surcasti (German: Obercastels) is in the Lumnezia sub-district of the Surselva district and the Graubünden canton. It is located on a plateau south of the confluence of the Glogn and the Valser Rhein.

History
In 1515, Surcasti was first mentioned by the name of Oberkastels. This was the official name until 1943. Surcasti (German: Obercastels) is in the Surselva district and the Graubünden canton.

Surcasti merged into the Suraua municipality on 1 January 2002. Other municipalities merged include:
 * Camuns
 * Tersnaus
 * Uors-Peiden

The population history of Surcasti is: 1850 - 162 inhabitants 1900 - 167 inhabitants 1941 - 170 inhabitants 1950 - 149 inhabitants 2000 - 75 inhabitants

In 1345, the Church of St. Lawrence was mentioned. Until 1528, Surcasti belonged to Pleif. Until 1669, Tersnaus belonged to the parish of Surcasti. Until 1691, Camuns belonged to the parish of Surcasti.

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 some church records are available on FamilySearch. These records have a restriction for use only at a FamilySearch center near you.

Catholic
Surcasti was established as an independent parish in 1528. Surcasti included Uors. Camuns became an independent parish in 1691. Church records begin in 1724. The following volumes are available on FamilySearch:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1724-1838
 * Family register 1850

The following volumes are only available on microfilm at the Graubünden State Archives:
 * Baptisms, marriages, burials 1838-1900; confirmations 1844-1902

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

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