In Switzerland, in 1770's, which son usually inheirted the family home & land, when both parents became deceased? I have a family, Jost Grogg & wife Magdalena (nee: Graber) who had two sons, Hans Ulrich (oldest) & Jakob (younger). Magdalena died in 1766 & Jost died in 1776, both in Melchnau, Bern, Switzerland. Would there be land papers or a will that might show if Jost property was handed down, and where or who would I contact to find such papers? I have a delimma now, and do not know where to turn for answers. I have managed to put together the family descendants of Ulrich Grogg (married May 1619, Melchnau, Bern, Switzerland) & wife Barbara Jaeggi, for 4 generations down. Then from my husband on up to Jakob Grogg & Maria Jaeggi (married 29 Jul 1762), plus several other descendants of Jakob & Maria Jaeggi Grogg. I know that Jost had a son Jakob, but my instincts keep telling me that our Jakob is NOT the son of Jost. Our Jakob never named a son Jost or a daughter Magdalena. Most of the Baptismal records I have found for Jakob's & Maria's children, the children are named after friends, instead of family. Maria (Jaeggi) Grogg died 2 Dec 1812 as a widow of Jakob. Would there be records in the town of Melchnau which might help me prove the parent of Jakob Grogg that married Maria Jaeggi, other than Church records? One Jakob Grogg died 4 Dec 1808 & calculating his age at time of death, came to born 2 Nov 1738. I went back to Bapt. records and there was NO Jacob/Jakob Grogg born in Nov. or Baptised in Nov of 1738. Jost's Grogg's son, Jakob was baptised the first week of Oct. 1738 & you cannot baptise a child a month before he is born, so I am lost & confused. Anyone have suggestions? Dianne Croak (Grogg)