Thanks to all who helped me in establising contact with my 9th cousin in Geneva. Our common ancestor was born in 1555 in Corsier, Switzerland. The anglicized name has been spelled 88 ways - my GGG Grandmother was Rachel Whisenant. Jim Woodward - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hi everyone, I'm still getting replies, but I'd like to publically thank Janet, Pete, Jane, Trudy, Felix, Marty, Bill, Jon, and Joe on all the suggetions, and offers of help. Mostly, the unselfish help you've given me. To each of you, and all, my heartfelt thank yous for your kindnesses. I've "found" my great grandmother's baptism, some of her direct relations, and a possible cousin! :o) More is one the way. This is truly what our searches are all about. Sue...or Alx :) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

More info on cantons can be researched at: Encyclopedia Britannica: cantons http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/9/0,5716,20379+1,00.html Switzerland http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/4/0,5716,115264+1,00.html Political system - Federal systems http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/7/0,5716,115177+10,00.html In SwissGen: Political and Religious Divisions http://www.eye.ch/swissgen/intro-e.htm#div The foundation of the Swiss Confederation http://www.eye.ch/swissgen/history.html#kap5 The Growth of the Swiss Confederation http://www.eye.ch/swissgen/history.html#kap7 Swiss Citizenship http://www.eye.ch/swissgen/CH-burger-e.html Here is an interesting article from "Swiss Revue" http://www.revue.ch/index-revue.html titled: "Political municipality, citizens' community, municipality of origin: Importance for Swiss Abroad (5/97)" that has been mentioned before, but is worth the read. It is listed under the "archive" section. The page way down until you find it. If you want a direct link to the article, then click on your favorite language: http://www.revue.ch/Englisch/05-97/officialnews/municip/municip.htm (English) http://www.revue.ch/Francais/05-97/pagesofficielles/histoire/histoire.htm (French) http://www.revue.ch/deutsch/05-97/offizielles/gemeinden/gemeinden.htm (German) I can't seem to locate it in Italian - sorry best wishes, Dave Schmutz -----Original Message----- From: Seelentag Wolfhart Dr. KSSG_RO [mailto:wolf.seelentag@kssg.ch] Sent: Friday, November 19, 1999 11:44 AM Dear Pete, well - I don't think there can be any doubt : the canton is an area, the first step in division of the whole country, with it's own constitution and parliament, own tax laws, ..., own rules how to do your genealogy (at least the traffic regulations are fairly similar) - so what would you call that ? The only difference to US states will be the population - on average somewhat smaller ;-). Best regards - Wolf ----- Original Message ----- Von: Outriggger@aol.com[SMTP:Outriggger@aol.com] Gesendet: Freitag, 19. November 1999 18:51 Cathy. You asked a question I've often wondered about. Some say a canton is like a county, some say it's like a state. I'll try to find out on my own (and let you know if I succeed). Meanwhile, anybody else out there have any opinions based on fact, or even half-fact? Pete Mattli Ft. Myers, FL (USA) ----- Original Message ----- Subj: Re: [SWITZ] Re: SWITZERLAND-D Digest V99 #431 Date: 11/19/1999 10:46:19 AM Eastern Standard Time From: karocar@innova.net (Carolyn Carroll) like a state ----- Original Message ----- From: Cathy Raber <pigeon1@gate.net> To: <SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, November 19, 1999 5:32 AM What is a canton? Is it a county like over here in the united states? Cathy Raber

Dear Pete, well - I don't think there can be any doubt : the canton is an area, the first step in division of the whole country, with it's own constitution and parliament, own tax laws, ..., own rules how to do your genealogy (at least the traffic regulations are fairly similar) - so what would you call that ? The only difference to US states will be the population - on average somewhat smaller ;-). Best regards - Wolf > ---------- > Von: Outriggger@aol.com[SMTP:Outriggger@aol.com] > Gesendet: Freitag, 19. November 1999 18:51 > An: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com > Betreff: [SWITZ] the Swiss canton (orig. Switz.-D Digest V99#431) > > Cathy. > You asked a question I've often wondered about. Some say a canton is like > a > county, some say it's like a state. I'll try to find out on my own (and > let > you know if I succeed). Meanwhile, anybody else out there have any > opinions > based on fact, or even half-fact? > Pete Mattli > Ft. Myers, FL (USA) > > >----------- > Subj: Re: [SWITZ] Re: SWITZERLAND-D Digest V99 #431 > Date: 11/19/1999 10:46:19 AM Eastern Standard Time > From: karocar@innova.net (Carolyn Carroll) > Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:karocar@innova.net">karocar@innova.net</A> > (Carolyn Carroll) > To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com > > like a state > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Cathy Raber <pigeon1@gate.net> > To: <SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Friday, November 19, 1999 5:32 AM > Subject: Fw: [SWITZ] Re: SWITZERLAND-D Digest V99 #431 > > > What is a canton? Is it a county like over here in the united states? > > Cathy Raber

Dear Ms. Willener, Thank you for the "change-over" info. I ask, half-joking and half-serious: Will I be able to read enough of the "new" language(s) on my computer to make the change back? As you say: "German-Swiss will be everywhere" Peace be with you and yours, Don Love

like a state ----- Original Message ----- From: Cathy Raber <pigeon1@gate.net> To: <SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, November 19, 1999 5:32 AM Subject: Fw: [SWITZ] Re: SWITZERLAND-D Digest V99 #431 > What is a canton? Is it a county like over here in the united states? > Cathy Raber > -----Original Message----- > From: Paul B. Van Buren <pbvb@ix.netcom.com> > To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com <SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: Friday, November 19, 1999 1:36 AM > Subject: [SWITZ] Re: SWITZERLAND-D Digest V99 #431 > > > >I don't know if it close enough, but I am working on the von Buren and > related names in Canton Solothurn. > > Paul B. Van Buren > > Los Altos, CA > > > >> Subject: [SWITZ] BURREN, MEISTER, MICHEL and EHRLER > >> Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 06:14:14 -0600 > >> From: beryle@email.msn.com > >> To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com > >> > >> Researching the Names BURREN, MEISTER, MICHEL and EHRLER > >> mostly from Bern area and Einsedln > >> > >> beryle@email.msn.com > > > >______________________________ > > > ==== SWITZERLAND Mailing List ==== > Swiss Resource Site > http://swiss.genealogy.net

Any information on the location, etc., for these two brothers and their families in the U.S. is appreciated. T.I.A. - Mike Hobart ----- Nauli Kessler (chd. 9 Apr 1797, s. of Christian Kessler & Dorothea Ludwig, of Schiers, Graubünden, Switzerland) m. Magdalana Jecklin (chd. 18 Jul 1802, d. of Andreas Jecklin & Agnes Truog, of Schiers) Children: 1 M: Christian Kessler (chd. 25 Apr 1825) m. Margreth Thöni before 1850 2 F: Agnes Kessler (b. 1828) 3 F: Dorotha Kessler (chd. 15 Sep 1829) 4 F: Anna Kessler (b. Jun 1835-d. bef 1850) 5 M: Andreas Kessler (b. 1836) 6 M:(possibly) Niclaus Kessler (b. 1837), may have stayed in Switzerland or emigrated later Nauli, wife and family emigrated to America between April 1846 and 1850. Note that a common name change was for Swiss with the Nauli given name to use Paul in the United States. ----- Simeon (Simon) Kessler (chd. 9 Aug 1799, Schiers - d. 1865, possibly Wisconsin, s. of Christian Kessler & Dorothea Ludwig) m. 24 Jun 1821, at Schiers Christina Jecklin (b. 1803?, but censuses show considerable variation in her birthdate, possibly the Christina Jecklin, b. 1798, d. of Andreas Jecklin & Agnes Truog, sister of the Magdalena Jecklin who married Simeon's brother Nauli) emigrated ca 1840 Children: 1 M: Christian Rudolf Kessler (chd. 23 Feb 1823, Davos) According to Jakob Truog's history of Evangelical priests in Graubünden, Simeon was priest at Davos-Glaris from 1821-1836, also at [Davos-]Monstein from 1824 onwards, and at Davos-Dorf from 1836-1840. After that he emigrated to America. Note that the entry for Davos-Monstein has him there from 1823-1836.

This had been addressed before on the list - but it's been awhile! For special characters (umlauts, etc) hold down the Alt key while typing in the three digit numbers below using the NUMERIC key pad. This works with MSWin95 Word Pad, AOL E-mail, Juno E-mail and Microsoft Outlook Express (and probably any other e-mail program). 142 Ä 153 Ö 154 Ü 132 ä 148 ö 129 ü 225 ß 152 ÿ 137 ë 128 Ç 130 é 131 â 133 à 135 ç 136 ê 138 è 139 ï 140 î 144 É 147 ô 149 ò 150 û 151 ù 160 á 161 í 162 ó 163 ú This was originally sent to the list by Alan Rossing in Monterey, CA. Barbara Hanville - Atlanta, GA hanville@vivid.net

Cathy. You asked a question I've often wondered about. Some say a canton is like a county, some say it's like a state. I'll try to find out on my own (and let you know if I succeed). Meanwhile, anybody else out there have any opinions based on fact, or even half-fact? Pete Mattli Ft. Myers, FL (USA) >----------- Subj: Re: [SWITZ] Re: SWITZERLAND-D Digest V99 #431 Date: 11/19/1999 10:46:19 AM Eastern Standard Time From: karocar@innova.net (Carolyn Carroll) Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:karocar@innova.net">karocar@innova.net</A> (Carolyn Carroll) To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com like a state ----- Original Message ----- From: Cathy Raber <pigeon1@gate.net> To: <SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, November 19, 1999 5:32 AM Subject: Fw: [SWITZ] Re: SWITZERLAND-D Digest V99 #431 > What is a canton? Is it a county like over here in the united states? > Cathy Raber

What is a canton? Is it a county like over here in the united states? Cathy Raber -----Original Message----- From: Paul B. Van Buren <pbvb@ix.netcom.com> To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com <SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Friday, November 19, 1999 1:36 AM Subject: [SWITZ] Re: SWITZERLAND-D Digest V99 #431 >I don't know if it close enough, but I am working on the von Buren and related names in Canton Solothurn. > Paul B. Van Buren > Los Altos, CA > >> Subject: [SWITZ] BURREN, MEISTER, MICHEL and EHRLER >> Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 06:14:14 -0600 >> From: beryle@email.msn.com >> To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com >> >> Researching the Names BURREN, MEISTER, MICHEL and EHRLER >> mostly from Bern area and Einsedln >> >> beryle@email.msn.com > >______________________________

I had written to this about list, a week ago, & a CGR had said he was coming tto the USA & for me to email him, would the person email me again. My computer crashed & so had to erase my data to get started again. My relation was Peter Raber, who came over to USA via unknown but had asked to how to get started in researching Switzerland. Any help & background is appreciated! Thanks so much! Cathy Cain Raber, FL

Merrie Weiss wrote that Outlook Express won't use the umlauts. True. There aren't any in English that I know of. My computer has an option to use several languages. Here is how to change your computer to German-Swiss language. The entire computer will change. EVERYTHING will be German-Swiss. but you can change it back again also with a few simple steps. First go to "My Computer". Next, go to "Settings". Select and open "Internet Options". Click to open tab marked "General". Click on "languages". A box will appear saying you are now using (probably)"English". Click on the button that says "add". You will now see a list of possible languages built into your computer. Click to choose German-Swiss if it is available. Click button "apply. Take a deep breath. Click "OK". Exit "internet options and settings and my computer". You may have to restart your computer for the language options to take effect. German-Swiss will be everywhere. All the dialog boxes, the browser, etc will be in German-Swiss. And probably Outlook Express too!.Don't panic! Remember, you can always repeat this process and revert to the language you were previously using after you have sent your e-mail or typed your letter.This should work also in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Works. So, get mad at Microsoft if it doesn't. Best wishes,Janet

I don't know if it close enough, but I am working on the von Buren and related names in Canton Solothurn. Paul B. Van Buren Los Altos, CA > Subject: [SWITZ] BURREN, MEISTER, MICHEL and EHRLER > Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 06:14:14 -0600 > From: beryle@email.msn.com > To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com > > Researching the Names BURREN, MEISTER, MICHEL and EHRLER > mostly from Bern area and Einsedln > > beryle@email.msn.com

Hello to the list: I am tracing my history to Christian Hanni (Apr 9 1825-Feb 4 1898) and Maria Riesen (Feb 27 1828-Nov 21 1903), who were born in Oberbalm, Canton Bern. They emigrated to the French Township, near Berne, Indiana, in the spring of 1887, along with their four sons Gottlieb, Fred, Albrecht, and Karl. They also brought along two grandsons, one unknown and one named John G. Hanna (he changed his name from Hanni to Hanna as an adult). John was born May 23, 1881 and died May 22, 1903, at Artillery School in Fortress Monroe, Virginia of appendicitis. His mother died in 1882, and his father, a policeman and mail coach driver, died in November 1884. Two daughters, Maria Muri and Elizabeth Muri, remained behind. They were still living at the time of Gottlieb's death in 1925 1) Is anyone out there researching this family? I have information only until 1968, thanks to the detailed work of Edna F. Baker. 2) Does anyone know the OTHER grandson's name and details? 3) The details I have indicate that none of the above-listed children were John's parents, although his surname indicates that his father was Christian and Maria's son. Might anyone have the details of who his parents were? Any help someone can give me would be greatly appreciated -- thanks in advance! Amy

Hi, Am interested in the Kehrli family from Switzerland who were on a ship headed for America about 1870-1. Michael Kehrli and Elizabeth Blattner (sp?) and several female children. Thank you. Regards, Bill

Hi PAM! I am a descendant of Marti FREY 1521 Switzerland - what is your line? Joe

Ladies, Gentlemen and Other Swiss Listers, (Small Children?) When I wrote the Swiss List regarding a Swiss Researcher, I seem to have opened mouth and put in foot. You never realize how poorly you have written something until the questions and misunderstandings pour in. Vesnelle told me about a professional researcher and thought Wolfe had recommended her. Vesnelle told me today that she was wrong, another person had made the recommendation. When I sent the first message I thought two or three people might have need of some help. The response and requests and questions have rather overwhelmed me and I am writing a boiler plate message to send to the list because of the number of inquiries. I was asked where my Weiss line is from. My great grandfather, August Weiss, immigrated to the U.S. from Switzerland about 1880. We are still trying to determine the village of origin. He married Catherine Meier whose mother and grandparents (Bremgartner) came from the Tann, Schenkon, and Sursee area. Therese charges $20 per hour plus reimbursement for copies, postage and transportation. I was asked if I was charged "much" and I thought the $20 per hour was reasonable as it compares to rates in the states of Washington and Wisconsin. Therese accepted my personal dollar check which had plenty of time to clear before she was able to research my case. I should point out that she apparently keeps very busy and she could not take on my research for between 4 and 6 weeks after I contacted her as she was already booked. Also, I should point out that I do not know what other areas of Switzerland she is willing to search. There were four people in my family, myself included, that pitched in and sent Therese $200. We now have an addition of more than 20 people plus a new set of third great grandparents, which is about $9 each. We also got a bonus of 5 more people for a half cousin. I realize that the search for my Weiss line may end up with a zero, but I feel she will do a good job of looking. Please accept my apology for not remembering how to do the umlauts. Therese Metzger Sa(a umlaut)gegasse 73 CH 3110 Mu(u umlaut)nsingen Switzerland metz.thw@bluewin.ch Good luck to all of you in your searches. Merrie Lee Weiss Proud RootsWeb Sponsor 605 Dueno Drive Chino Valley, AZ 86323 520-636-6288 merrimac@northlink.com

Don't know if this will give anyone a hint or not, but received it from one of my other mailing lists. Dated AUGUST 8, 1902. Hope it helps someone. <<Mr.John Blunchi of East Bernstadt, will leave Sunday night on a visit to his old home in Switzerland. He contemplates being absent about three months. The Echo wishes him a pleasant trip and a safe return.>> Pam researching: FREY, MEIER, OBRIST, MANGOLD, BURGIN, BUESS, WIDMER, JANNI, MUEHLE, SCHAFFNER, ZURMUHLE

Looking for the GUNTNER family. A Georg GUNTNER sailed with many other Swiss people from Rotterdam to Philadelphia , USA arriving 10 Nov 1756 on the ship CHANCE. The name was changed to KINDER upon arrival. He settled in Pennsylvania . ANY info appreciated.

Researching the Names BURREN, MEISTER, MICHEL and EHRLER mostly from Bern area and Einsedln beryle@email.msn.com