CHURCHBOOKS OF

CANTON BERN, SWITZERLAND

 

CDROMs in PDF format, Windows and Mac compatible.

 

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Once you know the name of your ancestor’s Gemeinde, where do you find the pre-1876 church records for that Gemeinde? The solution is in the list below, which includes the names of all 400 Gemeinden currently in existence (including the eight of the 400 Gemeinden: Aeschi bei Spiez; Amsoldingen; Frutigen; Guttannen; Kandergrund; Lenk; Saanen; and Schangnau which have not yet deposited their Kirchenbücher with Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern) plus the names of those Gemeinden which have been merged out of existence or changed their names over the past 150 years, and finally, the names of all 173 Kirchgemeinde which include the records of all Bernese Gemeinden.

      You should keep in mind that the names of some Swiss communities, some Gemeinde, and a few Kirchgemeinde have changed over the centuries. Perhaps, for instance, when your ancestor came to America he reported quite accurately that he was from Gemeinde Ebligen in Canton Bern. This information might lead you on a fruitless search for Ebligen, which does not exist as a Gemeinde today. The list below will lead you to the current Gemeinde name (in this case  Oberried am Brienzersee, into which Ebligen merged in 1914) as well as to the Kirchgemeinde which holds the records of Ebligen (Kirchgemeinde Brienz).

      Each of the 173 Kirchgemeinden listed below holds the records of from one to eight Gemeinden. In many cases the smaller Gemeinden (227 of the 400 in all) always have their Kirchenbücher combined with other Gemeinden into the 173 Kirchgemeinden in Canton Bern, so that there are a total of only 173 separate Kirchgemeinde for you to consult when searching for your ancestors even though there are still 400 Gemeinden in Canton Bern.

      In a few Gemeinden some of the records, primarily death records, continue briefly after 1875, and in the case of lists of pastors sometimes long after 1875. I have ignored the small amount of data after 1875 in compiling the list below. In a few cases there are communities (non-Gemeinde today) mentioned which are included in the Kirchenbücher, usually because the community no longer is legally a separate Gemeinde.

      All Kirchgemeinden names are given below in bold. In cases where the Kirchgemeinde includes a Gemeinde of the same name, there is only one listing made here. In a few cases, the name of a Kirchgemeinde is not the name of a Gemeinde at all: e.g. Wichtrach.

 

Gemeinde or                                     Church        # of            Book #                 Price

Kirchgemeinde                       Record dates      CDs

 

Spezielle Pfarrbücher                   1750-1891            1            5172                     CHF 150

[The Special Ministers’ Books include fascinating miscellaneous records such as the Swiss regiments in foreign service (including de Steiger, French service, and Sicilian service) as well as prison records, and the records of the Anabaptists in Mömpelgard (Montbéliard) 1750-1902.]

Aarberg                                        1549-1876            1            5000                     CHF 150

Aarmühle was renamed Interlaken in 1891. See Kirchgemeinde Gsteig bei Interlaken.

Aarwangen                                    1571-1875            1            5001                     CHF 150

[The 13 church books of Kirchgemeinde Aarwangen include the records of three Gemeinden: Aarwangen, Bannwil, and Schwarzhäusern.]

Abländschen see Saanen

Adelboden                                    1555-1875            2            5002                     CHF 225

Aefligen see Kirchberg

Aegerten see Bürglen

Aeschi bei Spiez                           1556-1875         n/a

[The 17 church books of Kirchgemeinde Aeschi bei Spiez include the records of two Gemeinden: Aeschi bei Spiez and Krattigen. These seventeen Kirchenbücher are not yet deposited in Staatsarchiv Bern.]

Aeschlen see Oberdiessbach

      Affoltern im Emmental           1567-1875            1            5003                     CHF 150

Affoltern bei Aarberg was renamed Grossaffoltern in 1860. See Grossaffoltern.

Albligen                                        1603-1875            1            5004                     CHF 150

Alchenstorf see Koppigen

Allmendingen see Münsinger

Amsoldingen                                1640-1876            3            5190                     CHF 300

[The 15 church books of Kirchgemeinde Amsoldingen include the records of five Gemeinden: Amsoldingen, Forst, Höfen, Längenbühl, and Zwieselberg. These 15 Kirchenbücher are not yet deposited in Staatsarchiv Bern.]

Arch                                              1549-1875            1            5005                     CHF 150

[The 13 church books of Kirchgemeinde Arch include the records of the records of two Gemeinden: Arch and Leuzigen]

Arni see Biglen

Attiswil see Oberbipp

Ausserbirrmoos (formerly a Gemeinde) see Linden

Auswil see Rohrbach

Bäriswil see Hindelbank

Bätterkinden                                1601-1875            1            5006                     CHF 150

Ballmoos see Jegenstorf

Bangerten see Bern: Bernisch Messen (Etzelkofen)

Bannwil see Aarwangen

Bargen BE                                    1627-1875            1            5007                     CHF 150

Barschwand (formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1888 with Ausserbirrmoos; see Linden.)

Beatenberg                                   1552-1875            1            5008                     CHF 150

      [also called St. Beatenberg]

Bellmund see Nidau

Belp                                              1549-1875            3            5009                     CHF 300

[The 17 church books of Kirchgemeinde Belp include the records of four Gemeinden: Belp, Belpberg, Kehrsatz, and Toffen]

Belpberg see Belp

Belprahon see Moutier

Berken see Herzogenbuchsee

Bern [The 96 Bern church books cover the following:]

      Burgerlichen                             1530-1875            5            5173                     CHF 450

      Ausburgerliche                          1577-1875            6            5174                     CHF 525

      Heiliggeistkirche                        1704-1875            2            5175                     CHF 225

      Nydegg-Kirche                         1791-1875            1            5176                     CHF 150

      Französische

           Kirchgemeinde                     1688-1875            1            5177                     CHF 150

      Bümpliz                                    1736-1876            1            5178                     CHF 150

      katholische

           Kirchgemeinde                     1799-1875            1            5179                     CHF 150

Bernisch Messen                         1810-1875            1            5170                     CHF 150

          Bücher in Staatsarchiv Solothurn 1618-1888 to come

[The 5 church books of Kirchgemeinde Bernisch Messen include the records of six Gemeinden: Bernisch Messen, Bangerten, Etzelkofen, Mülchi, Ruppoldsried, and Scheunen. These were joined together in 1875.]

Bernisch Murten                          1821-1875            1            5171                     CHF 150

[The 4 church books of Kirchgemeinde Bernisch Murten include the records of two Gemeinde: Clavaleyres and Münchwiler.]

Bettenhausen see Herzogenbuchsee

Bévilard                                        1681-1875            1            5010                     CHF 150

  also in the town archives                1798-1815         n/a

[The 10 church books of Kirchgemeinde Bévilard include the records of four Gemeinden: Bévilard, Champoz, Malleray, and Pontenet.]

Bickigen-Schwanden (formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1911 with Wynigen. See Wynigen.)

Biel BE                                         1578-1875            5            5011                     CHF 450

      Zivilstandsbücher aus

       der französischen Zeit              1799-1813

      katholische

          Kirchgemeinde                      1865-1875

      französische

          Kirchgmeinde                       1798-1875

      Bözingen                                  1798-1875

      Mett                                         1612-1875

[The church books of Kirchgemeinde Biel/Bienne include the records of five Gemeinden: Biel (Bienne), Bözingen (Boujean), Leubringen (Evilard), Mett (Mâche), and Vingelz (Vingneules)]

Biglen                                                          1555-1875                2                     5012 CHF 225

[The 27 church books of Kirchgemeinde Biglen include the records of three Gemeinden: Ami, Biglen, and Landiswil.]

Blauen see Laufental

Bleienbach                                    1594-1875            1            5013                     CHF 150

Bleiken bei Ober­diess­bach see Oberdiessbach

Blumenstein                                 1562-1875            1            5014                     CHF 150

[Kirchgemeinde Blumenstein has included the records of Gemeinde Pohlern since 1900. Before that, Pohlern was in Kirchgemeinde Thierachern.]

Bönigen see Gsteig

Bözingen [not a political Gemeinde] see Biel

Bolligen                                        1553-1875            2            5015                     CHF 225

[The 27 church books of Kirchgemeinde Bolligen include the records of three Gemeinden: Bolligen, Ittigen, and Ostermundigen.]

Bollodingen see Herzogenbuchsee

Boltigen                                        1556-1875            1            5016                     CHF 150

Bowil see Grosshöchstetten

Bözingen (formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1917 with Biel BE. See Biel BE.)

Brechershäusern (Formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1887 with Wynigen. See Wynigen.)

Bremgarten bei Bern                   1538-1875            1            5017                     CHF 150

[The 13 church books of Kirchgemeinde Bremgarten bei Bern include the records of two Gemeinden: Bremgarten bei Bern and Zollikofen]

Bremgarten Herrschaft was renamed Bremgarten bei Bern in 1880. See the latter.

Bremgarten Stadtgericht (Formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1880 with Kirchlindach. See Kirchlindach.)

Brenzikofen see Oberdiessbach

Brienz                                                          1553-1875                2                     5018 CHF 225

[The 18 church books of Kirchgemeinde Brienz include the records of five Gemeinden: Brienz, Brienzwiler, Hofstetten bei Brienz, Oberried am Brienzersee, and Schwanden bei Brienz (called Schwanden until 1911); and the former Gemeinde Ebligen, which joined Gemeinde Oberried am Brienzersee in 1914.]

Brienzwiler see Brienz

Brislach see Laufental

Brügg see Bürglen

Brüttelen see Ins

Buchholterberg                            1837-1875            1            5019                     CHF 150

[The 8 church books of Kirchgemeinde Buchholterberg include the records of two Gemeinde: Buchholterberg and Wachseldorn; plus the community Heimenschwand.]

Büetigen see Diessbach bei Büren

Bühl see Walperswil

Bümpliz (Formerly a Gemeinde: merged in 1919 with Bern. See Bern.)

Büren zum Hof see Limpach

Büren an der Aare                       1549-1875            1            5020                     CHF 150

[The 16 church books of Kirchgemeinde Büren an der Aare include the records of two Gemeinden: Büren an der Aare and Meienried; plus the community Reiben.]

Bürglen                                         1555-1875            1            5021                     CHF 150

[The 17 church books of Kirchgemeinde Bürglen include the records of seven Gemeinden: Aegerten, Brügg, Jens, Merzligen, Schwadernau, Studen, and Worben]

Burgdorf                                       1551-1875            2            5022                     CHF 225

Burg im Leimental see Laufental

Burgistein see Thurnen

Busswil bei Büren see Diessbach bei Büren

Busswil bei Melchnau see Melchnau

Champoz see Bévilard

   also, in the city archives                1799-1815         n/a                   

Châtelat see Sornetan

Clavaleyres see Bernisch Murten

Corcelles BE see Grandval

Corgémont                                   1686-1875            1            5023                     CHF 150

[The 21 church books of Kirchgemeinde Corgémont include the records of three Gemeinden: Corgémont-Cortebert, Corgémont-Sombeval, and Sonceboz-Sombeval.]

Cormoret see Courtelary

Cortébert see Corgémont

Court                                            1741-1875            1            5024                     CHF 150

 also: in the city archives                  1741-1798         n/a

[The 7 church books of Kirchgemeinde Court include the records of two Gemeinden: Court and Sorvilier.]

Courtelary                                    1674-1875            1            5025                     CHF 150

[The 14 church books of Kirchgemeinde Courtelary include the records of two Gemeinden: Courtelary and Cormoret.]

Crémines see Grandval

Därligen see Leissigen

Därstetten                                    1591-1875            1            5026                     CHF 150

Deisswil bei Münch­en­buch­see see Münchenbuchsee

Dicki was renamed Kriechenwil in 1959. See Kriechenwil in Kirchgemeinde Laupen.

Diemerswil see Münchenbuchsee

Diemtigen                                     1559-1875            2            5027                     CHF 225

      [The 16 church books of Kirchgemeinde Diemtigen include the records of Gemeinde Diemtigen and the communities Bächlen, Entschwil, Horben, Oey, Riedern, Schwenden, and Zwischenflüh.]

Diessbach was renamed Oberdiessbach in 1870. See Oberdiessbach.

Diessbach bei Büren                    1557-1875            1            5028                     CHF 150

[The 18 church books of Kirchgemeinde Diessbach bei Büren include the records of four Gemeinden: Busswil bei Büren, Büetigen, Diessbach bei Büren, and Dotzigen]

Diesse                                                          1557-1877                1                     5029 CHF 150

[The 13 church books of Kirchgemeinde Diesse include the records of three Gemeinden: Diesse, Lamboing, and Prêles.]

Dotzigen see Diessbach bei Büren

Duggingen see Laufental

Dürrenroth                                   1563-1875            1            5030                     CHF 150

Ebligen (Formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1914 with Oberried am Brienzersee. See Brienz.)

Eggiwil                                          1648-1875            2            5031                     CHF 225

Einigen (formerly a Gemeinde) see Spiez

Englisberg see Zimmerwald

Epsach see Täuffelen

Eriswil                                           1633-1875            2            5032                     CHF 225

[The 27 church books of Kirchgemeinde Eriswil include the records of two Gemeinden: Eriswil and Wyssachen. Wyssachen was called Wyssachengraben until 1908.]

Eriz see Schwarzenegg

Erlach                                           1554-1875            1            5033                     CHF 150

[The 13 church books of Kirchgemeinde Erlach include the records of two Gemeinden: Erlach and Tschugg; plus the community Mullen.]

Erlenbach im Sim­men­tal              1590-1875            1            5034                     CHF 150

Ersigen see Kirchberg

Eschert see Grandva

Etzelkofen see Bernisch Messen

Evilard see Biel

Fahrni see Steffisberg

Farnern see Oberbipp

Ferenbalm                                    1553-1875            1            5035                     CHF 150

[The 20 church books of Kirchgemeinde Ferenbalm include the records of Gemeinde Ferenbalm and the communities Kleingümmenen and Rizenbach.]

Finsterhennen see Siselen

Forst see Amsoldigen

Fraubrunnen see Grafenried

Frauenkappelen                           1611-1875            1            5036                     CHF 150

Freimettigen see Oberdiessbach

Frutigen                                        1552-1876         n/a

[The 27 church books of Kirchgemeinde Frutigen include the records of three Gemeinden: Frutigen, Kandergrund, and Kandersteg. These 27 Kirchenbücher are not yet deposited in Staatsarchiv Bern.]

Gadmen                                        1790-1875            1            5037                     CHF 150

Gals see Gampelen

Gampelen                                     1573-1875            1            5038                     CHF 150

[The 12 church books of Kirchgemeinde Gampelen include the records of two Gemeinden: Gals and Gampelen.]

Gäserz (Formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1917 with Brüttelen. See Ins.)

Gelterfingen see Kirchdorf BE

Gerzensee                                    1635-1875            1            5039                     CHF 150

Golaten see Wileroltigen

Goldiwil (Formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1913 with Thun. See Thun.)

Goldswil (Formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1853 with Ringgenberg. See Ringgenberg.)

Gondiswil see Melchnau

Gottstatt                                       1583-1875            1            5040                     CHF 150

[The 13 church books of Kirchgemeinde Gottstatt include the records of three Gemeinden: Orpund, Safnern, and Scheuren. A 14th church books is the Chorgerichtsmanual 1730-1768, which is in the Nidau records.]

Graben see Herzogenbuchsee

Grafenried                                    1552-1875            1            5041                     CHF 150

[The 13 church books of Kirchgemeinde Grafenried include the records of two Gemeinden: Fraubrunnen and Grafenried.]

Grandval                                       1658-1875            1            5042                     CHF 150

[The 8 church books of Kirchgemeinde Grandval include the records of six Gemeinden: Corcelles BE, Crémines, Eschert, Grandval, Schelten, and Seehof.]

Grellingen see Laufental

Grindelwald                                  1557-1875            2            5043                     CHF 225

Grossaffoltern                               1583-1875            1            5044                     CHF 150

[Grossaffoltern was called Affoltern bei Aarberg until 1860.]

Grosshöchstetten                         1553-1875            4            5045                     CHF 375

[The 30 church books of Kirchgemeinde Grosshöchstetten include the records of five Gemeinden: Bowil, Grosshöchstetten, Mirchel, Oberthal, and Zäziwil. Grosshöchstetten was called Höchstetten (Konolfingen) until 1902.]

Gsteig                                           1588-1875            1            5046                     CHF 150

[Gsteig formerly was called Gsteig bei Gstaad.]

Gsteig bei Interlaken                   1565-1875            3            5047                     CHF 300

[The 30 church books of Kirchgemeinde Gsteig bei Interlaken include the records of ten Gemeinden: Bönigen, Gsteig bei Interlaken (now Interlaken), Gsteigwiler, Gündlischwand, Interlaken (called Aarmühle until 1891), Iseltwald, Lütschental, Matten bei Interlaken, Saxeten, and Wilderswil; plus the community Isenfluh.]

Gsteigwiler see Interlaken

Gündlischwand see Interlaken

Guggisberg                                   1591-1875            2            5048                     CHF 225

Gurbrü see Wileroltigen

Gurzelen                                       1555-1875            1            5049                     CHF 150

[The 16 church books of Kirchgemeinde Gurzelen include the records of two Gemeinden: Gurzelen and Seftigen.]

Gutenburg see Lotzwil

Guttannen                                     1713-1875         n/a

[These 5 Kirchenbücher are not yet deposited in Staatsarchiv Bern.]

Gysenstein (Formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1933 with Stalden to form the Gemeinde Konolfingen. See Münsingen.)

Habkern                                       1627-1875            1            5050                     CHF 150

Hagneck see Täuffelen

Hasle bei Burgdorf                       1556-1875            3            5051                     CHF 300

Hasliberg see Meiringen

Hauben (Formerly a Gemeinde; merged in 1888 with Oberdiessbach. See Oberdiessbach.)

Häutligen see Münsingen

Heiligenschwendi see Hilterfingen

Heimberg see Steffisburg

Heimenhausen see Herzogenbuchsee             

Heimenschwand [not a Gemeinde] see Buchholterberg

Heimiswil                                      1594-1875            1            5052                     CHF 150

Hellsau see Koppigen

Herbligen see Oberdiessbach

Hermiswil see Herzogenbuchsee

Hermrigen see Täuffelen