John - Since Ledrich does not appear in either "Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz (FNBS ' 89)" or in von Moos' "Bibliography of Swiss Genealogies," I would have to agree with your and the LDS' implied conclusion that it is the Americanization of the Swiss surname Läderach/ Laederach. A. LÄDERACH. Läderach is an ancient Swiss family name found mainly in Canton Bern. Citizenship for surname Läderach is first recorded in Switzerland prior to the year 1800 in the following Bern locales: Konolfingen, Niederwichtrach, Rubigen, Vechigen, and Worb. Läderich families spread out from Worb to establish citizenship in other parts of Switzerland after the year 1900. B. LAEDERACH. It appears from FNBS ' 89 (p. 1057) that some emigration occurred from Canton Bern into Canton Neuchâtel in the 1900's. Thereafter the name Läderach was changed to Laederich in this French-speaking Canton.The French language does not have an umlaut (ä). The name is found in only two villages in Canton Neuchâtel: Boudry and Neuchâtel. C. You state you are looking for information on the Laederach family from the Worb area (near Bern city) including the following villages: Reid - Biglen - Richigen - Walkringen - Eggistein - Grossocstetter - Zaziwil - Oberthal - Bowin - Signau. LDS has filmed church records for each of these villages. Often, but not always, the records filmed were found in the parish church instead of the village. This is indicated whenever it happened, in the list below. Reid: not found, see Ried bei Worb; church records for 1564-1875 have been filmed by LDS. They are listed under the parish church at Worb. Biglin: church records for 1564-1875 have been filmed by LDS. Richigen: not found, see Richigengraben. (Graben means hollow or vale.) Church records kept at the parish church in Worb are filmed for 1564-1875. Walkringen: church records for 1551-1875 have been filmed by LDS. Grossocstetter: not found, see Grosshochstetten. Church records for the years 1551-1875 have been filmed by LDS. Zaziwil: not found, see Zäziwil (with umlaut). Church records kept at Grosshochstetten have been filmed. See Grosshochstetten. Oberthal: See Gosshochstetten. Bowin: not found, see Bowil. See Grosshochstetten. Church records have been filmed for 1491-1875. Signau: filmed for 1589-1875 D. To obtain the film numbers, go to either of these two websites: ===== LDS-FILMED LOCALITIES http://www.genealogienetz.de/reg/CH/kibu/#ENGLISH ===== - OR - ===== LDS FILMED LOCALES http://german.genealogy.net/gene/reg/CH/ldsloc-m.htm ===== E. I have no relationship to your family, so cannot contribute from that viewpoint. However, if you wish to shotgun a form letter of inquiry to Laederach families living in Switzerland today, I can send you their addresses. Pete Mattli Clermont, FL <[email protected]> [3-ggg's] ============================= Subj: [SWITZ] LAEDERACH'S Worb Canton Bern Date: 11/15/2002 7:41:31 AM Eastern Standard Time From: <A HREF="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</A> To: <A HREF="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</A> Sent from the Internet (Details) Hello lists, I just found out that my LEDRICH family was from or near the area of Worb and to the area East of Worb, circa 1630's into the 1900's. The spelling I've been seeing on the Latter Day Saint's file is LAEDERACH. So I'm looking for information on the LAEDERACH family from the Worb area of Bern Switzerland. Including the villages of Reid, Biglin, Richigen, Walkringen, Eggistein, Grossocstetter, Zaziwil, Oberthal, Bowin, Signau, and others My immediate Laederach family descends from Daniel, Daniel, Hans, Hans, Niklaus, Johannes to; Johannes Laederich who married Catherina Gehring, April 5, 1839, daughter of Niklaus Gehring, and Katharina Lugenbuehl of Oberthal. Children; Johannes ( died at an early age ) Gottlieb Rosina Johannes Gottfried- Frederick born August 6, 1852. All of the children being born in Switzerland except Gottfried. Johannes and family migrated to the United States between 1848 and 1852. Settled in Holmes county, Ohio. I would like to hear from you if you have any connection to this family. Thanks to Marzuq Fardan for his information John D. Ledrich