I have researched the Mels and Flums Kirchenbuchs back to 1641 and something strange occurs in both localities. Mels - couple 1 first child 1699. Next couple first child 1751. A spread of 52 years. Otherwise from 1641 to 1821 there was always a generation every 20 to 25 years. Flums - couple 1 first child 1720. Next couple first child 1760. A spread of 40 years. Otherwise from 1666 to 1820 there was always that generation every 20 to 25 years. No historians, was there a religlious reveloution, a plague, a massive flood of the Rhein or Seez rivers, any other natural disasters that would explain the generation gap? Thanks in advance. Doug Hilby