I had the same kind of experience several years ago when I wrote about my ancestors. The way I understand it, these civil servants don't particularly like doing this kind of research. So they charge for an official transcript, which they present in the form of a "Familienschein". What I found to be cheaper is specifying when I write that I want PHOTOCOPIES ONLY! That way they cannot ask such outrageous prices (although it's also happened). The only inconvenience is that you are stuck with deciphering the handwriting. Sam Khalid Ottawa, Canada ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert Rothenbuhler To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 10:29 AM Subject: Re: [SWITZ] Some Advice Please David, Yes, that is what it appears to be. I thought 25 was high for what I got, but 110 is really asking too much. robert ----- Original Message ----- From: david kester <dck516@yahoo.com> To: Robert Rothenbuhler <piepint@nbtx.com> Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 4:22 AM Subject: Re: [SWITZ] Some Advice Please > Robert, > I also gave them the names and dates of my > g,g,great-grandparent's birth and death. I also > included my g,great-grandmother's date of birth and > who she married. My g,great-grandmother had two known > siblings that were here in the US also, according to > her newspaper obit. I only asked them how I could find > out about any other possible siblings of my > g,great-grandmother. They sent me a Family Certificate > (Familienschein) with all the childrens names and > dates of birth and death if known. My request went to > Hallau and I received the register from Beringen. > I am still confused about this. Do you believe that > they are asking me for 110 Swiss Francs for this info? > David > > --- Robert Rothenbuhler <piepint@nbtx.com> wrote: > > David, > > > > I received somewhat the same thing. I > > requested and received one copy of a birth > > notice for one of my ancestors. I sent them > > the three international coupons, but when I > > received the photocopy from them, they > > wanted me to send them a check for 25 > > Schweizer Franken. I think that is a bit > > high for just a photocopy of a document. > > There should have been no research > > as I gave them all the dates and name. > > > > robert rothenbuhler > > piepint@nbtx.com > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: david kester <dck516@yahoo.com> > > To: <SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 3:00 PM > > Subject: [SWITZ] Some Advice Please > > > > > > > Hi List, > > > I know that someone out there will be able to help > > me > > > with this. I received a family certificate > > > (Familienschein) for my ancestor from the > > > Zivilstandsamt in Beringen, Schaffhausen, > > Switzerland. > > > They tell me "you can borrow all the information > > you > > > asked for ( as far as they are registered in our > > > records)." > > > They then go on to say that the charge for this > > family > > > certificate amount to CHF 110.-- Please send a > > check > > > to Zivilstandsamt etc. etc. etc. > > > Would someone please explain all of this to me. > > > Thanking You in advance, > > > David