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illegitimate child in Switzerland 1800's
27 Oct 2006 17:06:10 -0700
soc.genealogy.german
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KANTON COAT OF ARMS Bern
District Oberzimentha
Municipality Boltigen
Certificate of Domicile for a married man
Concordat of 28 January 1854
I have my great-grandfather's Certificate of Domicile from
Switzerland before he immigrated to the United States. It was
translated by a German professor who was a friend of my mother.
I am so confused as the relationships of all these names, I am hoping
someone can help me.
I have changed the last names so as not to embarrass any living readers
that might not know of the illigetimacy.
Translated text: (real last names not used)
We, the resident council of Boltigen, certify herewith: That Gottfried
Doe, the illegitimate son of Suzanna Katharina Doe Smith and Magdalena
nmetzner...
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There must be a mistake of translation. It is impossible that an
illegitimate child has two mothers.
There are the following possibilities an illegitimate child is shown in
official documents:
a) with his mother preceded by the status "illegitimate"
b) with his mother and his father preceded by the status "illegitimate"
The mother is allways mentioned.
The father is not allways mentioned.
In a nutshell: If the mother knows the father she has two possibilies,
to mention him or not to mention him. It depends on her aims.
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Jones, born .......1848 at St. Stephan as recorded in the rolls,
volume...... married 20 Sept 1868..at Saanen, is a citizen of the town
of Boltigen and we will recornize him as such always; as well as that
his wife, named Katharina Brown daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth
(maiden name Brown) born 27 January 1842 at Saanen, is a citizen of our
town.
My questions are: who are all these people listed in the first
paragraph. I understand that Gottfried married Katharina Brown, but is
she the same person as Suzanna Katharina Doe Smith?
Who is the birth mother, Suzanna Katharina or Magdalena?
Why is the father not listed?
Why does Suzanna Katharina have 2 last names?
Is this a common way to denote an illegitimate child in Switzerland?
Thanking anyone in advance for some guidance.
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