Swiss Parish Registers
During the Old Swiss Confederacy, usually, the only vital records kept about ordinary people were found in the parish registers maintained by the local Pastor. This was true across Switzerland's many linguistic, territorial, and religious boundary lines. These records noted the Baptisms, marriages, and deaths of parishioners. As such, the parish registers are indispensable gems.
However, the ability to access these records varies widely by Canton. By and large, accessibility can be broken down into three categories:
Full remote access at home via the Cantonal Archives website or FamilySearch.
Canton of Aargau (Only the parishes of Gontenschwil, Leerau, and Rued)
Canton of Appenzell-Ausserrhoden
Canton of Bern (All parishes except for Frutigen, Guttannen, Lenk im Simmental, and Saanen)
Canton of Schaffhausen; City of Schaffhausen
Canton of Uri (Family Name Books only not the Parish Registers)
Remote access via FamilySearch at a Family History Center or a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.
To find a Family History Center or a FamilySearch Affiliate Library near you, check here.
Canton of Aargau (Only the parishes of Baden, Brugg, Laufenburg, Mühlethal, Oftringen, Rümlisberg, Strengelbach, Vordemwald, Wettingen, Würenlos, Zofingen, and Zurzach)
Canton of Appenzell-Innerrhoden
No remote access. Parish registers can only be consulted on-site at the Cantonal Archives or at the parish office itself.