Christian and Margaretha Neuenschwander (8th ggparents)

Christian Neuenschwander was born about 1625 in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland. He married Margaretha Stauffer, born about 1628, also of Signau. They were married 5 Nov 1655 in Signau, very possibly in the church I visited and took photos of (posted in this blog at the bottom).

Vanola Wittwer, sisters and family, were instrumental in hiring a researcher to locate the names of these grandparents as well as their children. However, two children were missed: Daniel and Catharina. These two children have been added to the family and the children are listed in order. All records were found in the Signau Church books.

Ulrich Neuenschwander chr 7 Dec 1656

Verena Neuenschwander chr 5 Dec 1658

Niclaus Neuenschwander chr 15 May 1660 (previously had Apr but I believe it is wrong)

Daniel Neuenschwander chr 20 Oct 1662 (newly found)

Christian Neuenschwander chr 22 Mar 1663

Hans Neuenschwander chr 14 Jul 1666

Petrus Neuenschwander chr 17 Mar 1668

Catharina Neuenschwander chr 16 Oct 1670 died before 1675 (newly found)

Benedicht Neuenschwander chr 19 Nov 1671 died bef 1673

Benedicht Neuenschwander chr 18 May 1673

Catharina Neuenschwander chr 14 Mar 1675

All of the children's christening/baptism records follow this post.

Signau Evanglische Reformiete Church Records, Signau, Bern, Switzerland. K-2 book. LDS FHL #2005717.

Records are available at the State Archives in Bern, Bern, Switzerland as well as filmed.

7 Dec 1656, Ulli [Ulrich Neuenschwander] was christened/baptized in the Signau Evang. Ref. Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.

Parents:  Christian Neuenschwander and Margreth
Stauff.


Source:  LDS FHL #2005717, Signau Evang. Reformed Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.  Church Book K-2.

5 Dec 1658, ___
Parents:  Christian Neuenschwander and
Margreth Stauffer.


Infant:   Vrena Neuenschwander was christened/baptized in the Signau Evang. Ref. Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.

Witnesses:  David __, Cathrina Neuenschwander and Anna Obblig.

Source:  LDS FHL #2005717, Signau Evang. Reformed Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.  Church Book K-2.

15 April 1660, Niclaus [Neuenschwander] was christened/baptized in the Signau Evang. Ref. Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.

His parents are:  Christian Neuenschwander and Margreth Stauffer.

Witnesses:  Niclaus Neuenschwander, Christian ___, Margreth Staufffer.

Source:  LDS FHL #2005717, Signau Evang. Reformed Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.  Church Book K-2.

20 Oct 1662, Daniel  [Neuenschwander] was christened/baptized in the Signau Evang. Ref. Church.  He is the son of Christian Neuenschwander and Margretha Stauffer.


Witnesses:  Andreas Stauffer, Peter Salltzman, and Babi Neuenschwander.

Source:  LDS FHL #2005717, Signau Evang. Reformed Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.  Church Book K-2.

 22 March 1663, Christianus, son of Christian Neuenshwander and Margareth Stauffer was baptized/christened.

Witnesses:  Hans Neuenschwander, Hans Cahman ? ___, Catherine ___.

Source:  LDS FHL #2005717, Signau Evang. Reformed Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.  Church Book K-2.

14 July 1666, Hans [Neuenswander], son of Christan Neuenschwander and Margreth Stauffer was christened/baptized in the Signau Evang. Ref. Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.

Witnesses:  Oswald __, Daniel Stauffer and Bari ___.

Source:  LDS FHL #2005717, Signau Evang. Reformed Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.  Church Book K-2.

__ [17] May 1668, infant Petrus [Neuenschwander] was christened/baptized.  He is the son of:
Christian Neuenschwander and Margrath Stauffer.

Witnesses:  Peter Ruybegger, Bentz Schindlar, and Madlena Margurg.....

Source:  Signau, K-2 page 133.  LDS FHL #2005717, Signau Evang. Reformed Church in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.  Church Book K-2.
Allyson's temporary 600_72.

On 26 October 1670, a daughter
Catharina [Neuenschwander] was christened/baptized in the Signau Evang. Ref. Church.

She is the daughter of:  Christian Neuenschwander and Margreth Stauffer.


Witnesses:  George Hofer, Vrini Huldiman, and Babi Wyss.

Source:  LDS FHL #2005715, Signau Evang. Ref. Church located in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.
This is Signau K-2 book, page 143.
Allyson's temporary file number 600_77.   She must have died before the age of 5 because another sister was given the same name.

19 Nov 1671, in the Signau Evang. Ref Church, was baptized (or christened)
infant Benedicht [Neuenschwander]
son of Christan Neuenschwander and Margreth Stauffer.


Witnesses:  Peter Kauffer, Hans __ and Barbara Wyss.

Source:  K-2 Signau, page 149.
Allyson's temporary file:  600_80.

This Benedicht must have died very young, because his younger brother was also given this name.

18 May 1673,
Infant Benedicht [Neuenschwander], [son of] Christian Neuenschwander and Margreth Stauffer [was baptized, or christened in Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.

Witnesses:

Source:  K-2, page 158, Signau Ref. Evang. Church, Signau, Bern Canton, Switzerland.
Allyson's picture file:  600_84

14 Mar 1675, infant Catharina was baptized in the Signau, Bern, Switzerland Church.

Parents are:  Christan Neuenschwander and Margreth Stauffer.

Witnesses are:  Hans Schreck, Catharina Kupffer, and Madlena .chentz.

Source:  K-2, page 167
Allyson's 600_89

Signau Kirche Stained Glass

The Evangelisch Reformiete Church in Signau is located on the hill above the valley on about the third row up. I have never seen anything quite like the little town of Signau before. It is a nice little town but very, very small yards. The houses are stacked on the hill in layers and I imagine that everyone looks out their windows to see either the roof of the neighbor or the fence of the other neighbor. There isn't enough room between the homes to get much more of a view.

The church is very typical of the church houses I visited while on my Switzerland trip in 2006. I love the clock tower outside and the church seems small and cozy. The stain glass windows, from various years, are beautiful to look at. Although I did not date these windows, the year is usually found inside the glass.

More Information about the Neuenswander's

http://www.iowaz.info/surname/neuenschwander.htm

Check out this site. It has some great information.

Signau, Bern, Switzerland Records at LDS FHL

Film Notes

Notes	Location	Film
Taufen 1589-1613	FHL INTL Film	2005716 Item 5
Taufen 1613-1618 Heiraten 1589-1628 Taufen 1601-1605 (uneheliche Kinder) Taufen 1653-1735 Taufen 1650-1734 (auswärtige Bürger) Taufen 1736-1768	FHL INTL Film	2005717
Taufen 1768-1772 Taufen 1713-1755 (auswärtige Bürger) Taufen 1773-1822	FHL INTL Film	2005718
Taufen 1822-1867 Tauf-Index 1847-1867 A-D	FHL INTL Film	2005719
Tauf-Index 1847-1867 E-Z Taufen 1868-1875 Taufen 1726-1839 (auswärtige Bürger)	FHL INTL Film	2005720
Taufen 1816-1875 (auswärtige Bürger) Heiraten 1653-1761 Tote 1728-1769	FHL INTL Film	2005721
Tote 1769-1772 Konfirmanden 1725-1752, 1707 Heiraten 1762-1870	FHL INTL Film	2005722
Heiraten 1870-1875 Tote 1773-1875 Tote 1845-1863 (auswärtige Bürger)	FHL INTL Film	2005723
Tote 1863-1875 (auswärtige Bürger)	FHL INTL Film	2005724 Item 1