SWITZERLAND: Johann HIRTER

[Kanga39]

Hi, I am trying to  trace my grandfather Johann Hirter. He was born 8th February 1875 in I think Hof, Muhlethurnen, Canton Bern. I don't know when he came to England, but it was sometime before 1904, because that is when he married Mildred MANTELL on Isle of Wight. His parents were Johannes HIRTER, and Marianna BALSIGER. If anyone could help me, or give me some advice I would really appreciate it. Thanks Eddie in Oz

[pb_devon]

If you've not done so already, you can try asking for the familienschein from the civil records office.  Send an e-mail to za [dot] mittelland [at] pom [dot] be [dot] ch with all the details you have.  If you've no German, then write in English with an apology (do NOT use an on-line translation!).  You might be lucky and hit gold - others have!
For extensive info on research in Switzerland look at this excellent website:
www [dot] eye [dot] ch/swissgen/.  It also explains what a familienschein will show you.
cheers,
Paul

[MerciaAnglii]

I can’t find anything of Johann before 1904.

Is Johann often shortened to “Hans”?

Hans Hirter, Married in Oct-Nov-Dec qtr 1904 on the Isle of Wight

1

Johann Hirther born about 1875. Died Apr-May-Jun qtr 1960. Chanctonbury District, Sussex

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Mildred Mantell Married in Oct-Nov-Dec qtr 1904 on the Isle of Wight



Mildred Mantell. Born about 1885. Died Jan-Feb-Mar 1965. Chanctonbury District, Sussex.


Brett

[Kanga39]

Thank you Paul and Brett for your help.
I haven't tried the web sites that you gave me Paul, but will do that today.
Thank you for that. It is difficult when you don't speak the language.
Thanks Brett for all your info. Yes my grandfather was also known as Hans. Did the 1911 census happen to mention the name of the children please?
I really appreciate any help that I get, because not only don't I know much about my family, but I am also new to family history, and still very much a "newie".
Thank you both, Kanga 

[Peonie]

Hi Kanga,

you could try  FamilySearch's German letter writiting guide :  http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ebp/

Regards Peonie

[Kanga39]

Hi Peonie
Thanks for that, I will look at that this afternoon.
Kanga

[Kanga39]

Hi Paul,
Just to let you know I have had a reply from the web site you gave me. Although they can't give me a lot of information, what they will give me is the marriage of my ggrandparents, and cofirmation that I am on the right track, which is a huge step forward. I just have to work out with them how I have to pay the neccessary fee. So really exciting. Thank you for your help.
Kanga

[pb_devon]

That's excellent news!
As for payment, you need to check what your bank charges are for an international payment.  Here in the UK it's very expensive for small payments.  What I have done which might be useful for you, is to check what an insured & signed for delivery postal item would cost, which here was a great deal less than the bank transfer.  Then get the nearest greater sum of Swiss Francs cash from your local forex shop, and post it.  Worked for me a number of times!
You need to ask your contact at the Civivl Registry if they have the parents familienschein, but the civil records might peter out about that time.  The only next source will be the Muhlethurnen church records, which are on microfilm (8 of them!) that can be ordered to view at the LDS FHC nearest to you.  Look at the familysearch website library catalog for full details inc film numbers and they contain records from 1549.  I can't work out if they are a transcription or original, so could be in old German script and may be near unreadable to our eyes. 
Paul

[Kanga39]

ThanWe found your family in the register of Mühlethurnen (BR 2/76 and BR 3/11).

Only two children are registered in the sheet of your grandparents (Johann and Mildred Hirter): Johann-Leslie-Hamilton and Audrey-Gwendoline-Marie.
About the children of your great-grandparents we may not give you information.

But we can issue a confirmation of birth and marriage date of your great-grandparents. This confirmation costs you CHF 35.00 and would have to be paid in advance.

As attachment you can find an information provided by Bernese civil status registries.