Dear Patricia in Maryland: According to Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz (Swiss Surnames), 1989 American edition, there are NO listings for: Bufter Buffter Büfter Büffter This does not mean that it is not a Swiss surname, but that when the data was collected in 1962, there were no more in Switzerland at that time. So, the conclusions could be: 1) It really is not Swiss 2) The surname 'daughtered' out. 3) All of them emigrated. You do, however, mention Palatinate as the possible area. This is NOT in Switzerland, further north in Germany (or rather what areas are now known as Germany). Please check the German genealogy website for further info. Upper Palatinate/Oberpfalz http://www2.genealogy.net/gene/reg/BAY/opf-en.htm Rheinland-Pfalz / Rhineland-Palatinate http://www2.genealogy.net/gene/reg/RHE-PFA/rhein-p.html http://www2.genealogy.net/gene/reg/rindex.htm is an excellent list of areas in Germany (in which I found Palatinate). best wishes, Dave Schmutz SwissGen volunteer -----Original Message----- From: Pat & Gary Kelly [mailto:pgkelly@erols.com] Sent: Monday, February 21, 2000 7:19 PM To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [SWITZ] SURNAME BUFTER Hi, I am helping a friend get started on her family. The present surname is Bufter, said to be from the Paltinate area. I am sure this is not the "correct" old spelling. Can anyone help with this one. Thanks so much. Patricia in Maryland ==== SWITZERLAND Mailing List ==== Support RootsWeb! Help provide FREE genealogical resources on the Internet: http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/how-to-subscribe.html