3 vols: 768pp, 704pp. & 640pp. 1995 (1989).
For an impressive 55 years Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz has dominated the landscape of Swiss
genealogical research like a benevolent giant. First published in two volumes in 1940, at a time when a
turbulent world made the importance of being Swiss self-evident, Familiennamenbuch was next published in a
six volume edition in 1969 and then in a final three volume edition in 1989. It is the newest, final, edition
which we have reprinted as the American edition, complete with a new Preface on Swiss genealogy and on the
importance of Familiennamenbuch by Lewis Bunker Rohrbach, CG.
These volumes contain every surname now found in Switzerland, a total of 48,500 surnames arranged
alphabetically, together with information giving exactly in which Heimat or community the surnames enjoy
hereditary rights of citizenship. Roughly half of these surnames were established in Switzerland prior to 1800
(often in the Middle Ages); the other 24,500 surnames have settled in Switzerland since 1800.
This is a major publishing event for Swiss genealogy!
In all cases you are told the period (and in a great many cases the exact year) when the surname entered the
community as well as, for later immigrants, the manner (by marriage; immigration from another Swiss
community; immigration from a specified country; adoption; etc.). Thus what you have here is a complete
census of and location for all Swiss Geschlecht or surname clans - the foundation of all Swiss genealogy.
Never before has Familiennamenbuch been published in America or available in an English edition. In past
decades even the Swiss edition has been virtually unobtainable and, at 400 Swiss Francs (= $340.00!) plus
shipping, far too expensive for most American researchers. With the new Picton Press edition there is now
every reason to own your own set, and at half the price!