The Bernese registers: the Hirschi, Stutzmann and Stocker families

PARTIAL — interrupted by the usage limit. The searches stopped on the lead's instruction. Everything read so far is below; what remains is listed at the end.

Read-only research for Batch B of docs/RESEARCH-PLAN-direct-line.md. The registers are the free online Kirchenbücher of the Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern (StABE), found through query.sta.be.ch. Each volume is one PDF of microfilm images; single pages were read by HTTP range request. The pages cited are saved in media/switzerland/{thierachern,schangnau,amsoldingen,boltigen}/ and logged in each folder's README. No master, data/*.csv or platform was changed. Nothing was committed. [?] marks an uncertain reading; […] an expansion; | a line break or column. The spelling is the register's.

Key finds

1. A new generation: Peter Hirschi's parents (H2192). The Schangnau register of citizens baptised elsewhere records Peter, baptised at Reichenbach (im Kandertal) on 6 Aug 1779, son of Christen Hirschig of Schangnau and Maria Spring of Kirchdorf (K Schangnau 3, p. 10). The same page has his sister Maria (Reichenbach, 23 Oct 1777) and brother Bendicht (Spiez, 31 Mar 1776). This confirms the Billeter/FamilySearch claim, and 6 Aug 1779 is a baptism date, not a birth date.
2. Christian's identification is now PROVEN (H0169). Schangnau's own marriage register, 1833, gives the groom as "Christian Hirschi, Peters, Küher, zu Reutigen … get[auft] Thierachern 28 Augst 1814", married at Thun on 26 Oct 1833 (K Schangnau 13, p. 13). That is exactly the Thierachern baptism of Christian, son of Peter Hirschi and Maria Stutzmann (K Thierachern 8, p. 170). One record now joins Christian to his baptism, his father and his wife.
3. Peter × Maria Stutzmann's marriage, 5 Mar 1803, Thierachern, is found twice (K Thierachern 14, p. 119; Schangnau copy, K Schangnau 12, p. 67). Neither names the parents of the couple.
4. Maria Stutzmann's death is found (H2193). "Maria Hirschi v. Schangnau, geb. Stutzmann, Peters des Kühers Ehefrau" died 16 Nov 1828 and was buried 19 Nov 1828 at Amsoldingen, of consumption (Auszehrung), aged 49 (K Amsoldingen 12, p. 41). So she died 22 years before the emigration, and her age fits the Thierachern baptism of 26 Sep 1779.
5. Maria Stutzmann's baptism and parents are now probable (upgrade from possible). The 26 Sep 1779 baptism (Maria, daughter of Hans Stuzman and Ana Feller, of Uebeschi; K Thierachern 7, p. 48) is the only Maria Stu(t)zmann baptism at Thierachern 1760–1790 in the index; the other two Maria Stutzmanns of the film were mothers from 1756 and 1772, so they were born decades earlier; her age at death (49 in Nov 1828) fits; her brother Christian, baptised 8 Aug 1790, son of Johannes Stutzmann and Anna Feller (K Thierachern 7, image 100) fits the godfather of 1814, "Christen Stutzmann, der Mutter Bruder"; and Feller kin appear at her son's family events (godfathers Christian Feller, Amtsrichter, at Uebeschi, 1834, and his son Jakob Feller, 1841).
6. Peter Jr. (b. 1803) is proven to be Peter's son. Schangnau's copy of his marriage says "Peter Hirschi, Peters, v. hier … gtft zu Thierachern d. 24. Apr. 1803", married at Reutigen, 6 Oct 1826, to Magdalena Oesch of Amsoldingen, baptised at Reutigen, January 1806 (K Schangnau 12, p. 161). He is the "Peter Hirschi, des Vaters Bruder, in Thun" at Rudolf's baptism in 1843.
7. All ten Swiss-born children of Christian and Magdalena are found (B6), each in both the Amsoldingen register and Schangnau's register of citizens baptised elsewhere: Christian 1834, Magdalena 1836, Johannes 1838, Friedrich 1839, Elisabeth 1841, Rudolf 1843, Margarita Rosalie 1844 (born 12 Sep; the Schangnau copy settles the 12/18 question), Susanna Katharina 1846, Gottlieb 1848 and Jakob 1849. Jakob, born 1 Dec 1849, was eight months old at the landing, and Gottlieb, born 31 Mar 1848, was 16 months old; the Belmont ages ("Gotfried 11 months", "Jacob 6 months") run low, and Find a Grave's "Gottlieb 1848–1849" and "Jacob 1849–1850" deaths are wrong or need other evidence.
8. Magdalena Stocker (H0170): new facts, baptism place still unread. The Schangnau marriage entry gives the bride as "Magdalena Stocker, Hansen, v. Boltigen … get[auft] [place unread] 18. Dec. 1814 – adm[ittiert] Steffisburg 1831. Einwill[igung] d. Vogts." So she was baptised on Sunday 18 Dec 1814 (Find a Grave's birth date of 5 Dec fits a baptism two weeks later), confirmed at Steffisburg in 1831, and married with the consent of her guardian (Vogt), not of her father. The place of baptism is not Boltigen (register read: no such baptism), nor Wimmis, Reutigen, Thurnen, Lauenen or Steffisburg (registers read). Her father was dead by 9 Nov 1834 ("Joh. sel. T."). A Johannes Stocker of Boltigen, Christen's son, a Hausvater, aged about 78, was buried at Boltigen on 23 Dec 1833; he is a candidate only.

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1. Peter Hirschi's baptism, Reichenbach, 6 Aug 1779 (H2192) — home-parish copy

Source. StABE, K Schangnau 3, Taufrodel 1779–1796, p. 10 (right-hand page "Ausserhalb getauft" of pp. 9–10), PDF image 6 of 131. Catalogue query.sta.be.ch/detail.aspx?ID=423412; PDF query.sta.be.ch/Dateien/19/D96513.pdf. Saved: media/switzerland/schangnau/1779-08-06_baptism_peter-hirschi_K-Schangnau-3_p010.png.

Transcription (three entries of the same family on p. 10):

1776. d. 31. Merz wurde laut Tauf-Schein zu Spiez getauft ein ehlicher Bendicht. | Par: Christen Hirschig v. Schangnau, Schmied [?] zu Spiez | Maria Spring v. Kirchdorf. | Test: Ullrich Frey [?] v. Thun | Bendicht Marti [?] v. Kirchdorf | Elsbeth Marti v. Kirchdorf … [rest uncertain] | So signiert: Saml. Moser, Pfr zu Spiez.

1777. d. 23. October wurde zu Reichenbach getauft laut Tauf-Schein eine ehliche Maria. | Par: Christen Hirschig v. Schangnau | Maria Spring v. Kirchdorf. | [Test:] Hans Blum [?] und Weib [?] | Anna Schneider v. Uetendorf | Catari Spring v. Oestrigen [?].

1779. d. 6. Augst. wurde an gleichem Ort, gleichen Eltern getauft ein ehlicher Peter. | Test: Peter Neuenschwander v. Amsoltingen | David Rieder [?] v. Faltschen [?] | Elsbeth Mürner geb. Müller v. Scharnachthal [?]. | So signiert: Kernen [?] Pfr. zu Reichenbach.

Translation. On 6 Aug 1779 a legitimate son, Peter, was baptised at the same place [Reichenbach], of the same parents [Christen Hirschig of Schangnau and Maria Spring of Kirchdorf]; godparents Peter Neuenschwander of Amsoldingen, David Rieder [?] of Faltschen and Elsbeth Mürner, née Müller, of Scharnachtal.

What it proves. A contemporary copy, entered in the home-parish register from the Reichenbach baptism certificate. It is primary for the baptism (information supplied by the baptising pastor's certificate) and direct evidence of a Peter Hirschig of Schangnau, baptised 6 Aug 1779, son of Christen Hirschig and Maria Spring.

• Identification with H2192: probable (strong). (a) FamilySearch's index has only three Peter Hirschi/Hirschy baptisms in Switzerland 1774–1786: this one, Oberdiessbach 1784 (son of Peter × Maria Kämpf) and Trub 1786 (son of Christen × Anna Zollner); only this one fits "71" on 1 Aug 1850; (b) the Find a Grave date 6 Aug 1779 and "Schangnau" (the Heimat) match; (c) the family is Schangnau citizens living in the Thun district (Spiez, Reichenbach, Reutigen), as Peter later did (Uebeschi, Amsoldingen). No record found so far states "Peter, Christen's son" at his marriage, which would make it proven (the 1803 marriage entries name no fathers).
• Siblings from the FamilySearch index (children of Christen Hirschig/Hirschy × Maria Spring): Bendicht 31 Mar 1776 Spiez; Peter 6 Aug 1779 Reichenbach bei Frutigen; Samuel 3 Nov 1782 Reichenbach; Maria 2 Jul 1784 Reichenbach im Kandertal; Abraham 22 Jun 1787 Reichenbach im Kandertal; Nickolaus 20 Aug 1790 Reutigen. The 1777 Maria is in the Schangnau copy only. No Jakob was found (the "Jakob Hirschi, des Vaters Bruder" of 1814), so either he was born before 1776 or elsewhere; not searched further.
• Grade: baptism of Peter 1779 — proven as a record; that it is H2192's — probable. Parents Christen Hirschig and Maria Spring — probable (from that identification).

2. Marriage of Peter Hirschi and Maria Stutzmann, Thierachern, 5 Mar 1803 (B1)

(a) Thierachern register. StABE, K Thierachern 14, Eherodel 1753–1833, p. 119 (left page, heading "1803"), PDF image 62 of 130. Catalogue query.sta.be.ch/detail.aspx?ID=233190; PDF query.sta.be.ch/Dateien/19/D96902.pdf. Saved: media/switzerland/thierachern/1803-03-05_marriage_peter-hirschi-maria-stutzmann_K-Thierachern-14_p119.png.

[2.] Martzius d. 5t sind ehelich eingesegnet worden | der Peter Hirschi aus dem Schangnau | und | Maria Stutzmann von Uebischi. | [right column:] Schangnau

(b) Schangnau copy. StABE, K Schangnau 12, Eherodel 1753–1830, p. 67 (top), PDF image 19 of 77. Catalogue query.sta.be.ch/detail.aspx?ID=423421; PDF query.sta.be.ch/Dateien/19/D96527.pdf. Saved: …/schangnau/1803-03-05_marriage_hirschi-stutzmann_K-Schangnau-12_p067.png.

1803. | Laut Schein ward zu Thierachern ehelich eingesegnet d. 5. Merz 1803. | 6. { Peter Hirschi aus dem Schangnau | Maria Stutzman von Uebischi. | sig. Wiegsam [?] P. T.

What it proves. Two original entries (the Thierachern register and the home-parish copy), primary and direct for the marriage of Peter Hirschi of Schangnau and Maria Stutzmann of Uebeschi on Saturday 5 Mar 1803 at Thierachern, seven weeks before their son Peter was baptised (24 Apr 1803). Neither names the parents. Grade: proven. The FamilySearch tree's "5 Mar 1803, Thierachern" is correct.

3. Maria Stutzmann's baptism, 26 Sep 1779, and her brother Christian, 1790 (B2)

(a) Maria. StABE, K Thierachern 7, Taufrodel 1776–1799, p. 48 (right page of pp. 47–48, "1779 Burger", September), PDF image 25 of 175. Catalogue query.sta.be.ch/detail.aspx?ID=233183; PDF query.sta.be.ch/Dateien/19/D96894.pdf. Saved: …/thierachern/1779-09-26_baptism_maria-stutzmann_K-Thierachern-7_p048.png.

D. g. [?] 26. | 26. | Maria. | Parentes: Hans Stuzman, Peters sel. [?] … | Ana Feller, von Pohlern [?]. | Testes: Hans Stuzman, Hansen sel. Sohn, [residence uncertain] | Ana Kunz [?], … | Christina Feller, der Mutter Schwester. | [Heimat column:] Uebeschi.

(b) Christian, her brother. Same volume, PDF image 100, left page ("1790 Burger", Augustus; page number cut off). Saved: …/thierachern/1790-08-08_baptism_christian-stutzmann_K-Thierachern-7_img100.png.

[Sunday] d. 8. | 28. | Christian. | Parentes: Johannes Stutzmann | Anna Feller von Pohlern [?]. | Testes: Peter Schöni [?], Chorrichter [?] | Hans Kunzer [?] … | Barbara Fischer [?] … | [Heimat:] Uebischi.

(Hans and Johannes are the same name; FamilySearch indexes the mother of the 1784 and 1790 children as "Anna Seller".)

Other Maria Stu(t)zmanns (B10), FamilySearch index. Only one Maria Stu(t)zmann baptism at Thierachern 1760–1790 (this one). The other two women named Maria Stutzmann on the film are mothers from 1756 (Jacob Nafzger, indexed Kafzger/Rafzger: children 1756, 1758) and from 1772 (Christen Ischer: children 1772–1789), so both were born by the 1730s–1750s and cannot be the girl baptised in 1779.

Siblings (index): children of Hans/Johannes Stutzmann × Anna Feller at Thierachern: Susanna 24 Dec 1769, Elisabeth 29 Nov 1772, Johannes 19 Sep 1776, Maria 26 Sep 1779, Peter 11 Jun 1784 ("Anna Seller"), Christian 8 Aug 1790 (image read). "Johannes Stutzmann von Übische" was godfather to Christian's son Friedrich in 1839, and "Anna Stutzman, Peters Tochter, von Übische" godmother to Johannes in 1838 (probably a niece, daughter of Maria's brother Peter).

What it proves; grade. The baptism is an original, primary, direct record of a Maria, daughter of Hans Stutzmann and Anna Feller of Uebeschi, 26 Sep 1779. Its identification with H2193 rests on indirect evidence: the only candidate in the index; her age at death, 49 in Nov 1828 (born c. 1779); her brother Christen as godfather in 1814 (and this Christian of 1790 is the only Christen Stutzmann baptised at Thierachern 1765–1795 besides the 1780 son of Christen × Madlena Müller); and Feller relatives at her grandchildren's baptisms. Grade: probable (upgrade from possible). A record naming "Hans Stutzmanns Tochter" at her marriage or burial would make it proven; neither does.

4. Maria Hirschi née Stutzmann's burial, Amsoldingen, 19 Nov 1828 (B5)

Source. StABE, K Amsoldingen 12, Totenrodel 1808–1851, p. 41 (right page, "1828", Novemb.), entry 24, PDF image 22 of 105. Catalogue query.sta.be.ch/detail.aspx?ID=241391; PDF query.sta.be.ch/Dateien/18/D94081.pdf. Found through the volume's index (PDF image 81, "Hirschi … Maria, geb. Stutzmann … 41"). Saved: …/amsoldingen/1828-11-19_burial_maria-hirschi-stutzmann_K-Amsoldingen-12_p041.png.

24. | [Mort.] 16. | [Sep.] 19. | Maria Hirschi v. Schangnau, | geb. Stutzmann, Peters des Kühers | Ehefrau. | Auszehrung. | 49. Jahr.

Translation. No. 24: died 16, buried 19 November 1828: Maria Hirschi of Schangnau, née Stutzmann, wife of Peter the Küher (dairyman); consumption; 49 years.

What it proves. Original, primary for the death and burial, direct: Peter Hirschi of Schangnau, a Küher, lost his wife Maria née Stutzmann in Nov 1828, when the family lived in Amsoldingen parish. Her age (49) gives a birth about 1779. Grade: proven for the death; it is the Peter of Schangnau, the Küher, whose sons Peter (1826 marriage) and Christian (1833) were Küher too. This settles the conflicts: FamilySearch's death "19 Jan 1857" and WikiTree's "before 1849" are wrong/imprecise; Find a Grave's "died in Switzerland" is right. She did not travel in 1850 because she had been dead 22 years.

5. Christian Hirschi × Magdalena Stocker: the Schangnau marriage entry, 1833 (B3a, B4)

Source. StABE, K Schangnau 13, Eherodel 1831–1857, p. 13 (right-hand page of PDF image 8 of 146), first entry. Catalogue query.sta.be.ch/detail.aspx?ID=423422; PDF query.sta.be.ch/Dateien/19/D96529.pdf. Saved: …/schangnau/1833-10-26_marriage_christian-hirschi-magdalena-stocker_K-Schangnau-13_p013.png.

[left column:] Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13. | copl. Oct. 26. | Thun. Christian Hirschi, Peters, Küher, zu Reutigen | Magdalena Stocker, Hansen, v. Boltigen, – bei Thun angestellt [?]. | 1. get. Thierachern 28 Augst 1814 – adm. Amsoldingen 1831. mit Einwillig[ung] d. Vaters | 2. get. [place unread] 18. Dec. 1814 – adm. Steffisburg 1831. Einwill[igung] d. Vogts.

Translation. Banns 29 Sep, 6 and 13 Oct; married 26 Oct [1833] at Thun. (1) Christian Hirschi, [son] of Peter, dairyman, at Reutigen, baptised at Thierachern 28 Aug 1814, admitted [to communion, i.e. confirmed] at Amsoldingen 1831, with his father's consent. (2) Magdalena Stocker, [daughter] of Hans, of Boltigen, [in service near Thun?], baptised at [place] 18 Dec 1814, admitted at Steffisburg 1831, with the consent of her guardian (Vogt).

Notes.

• The unread place. A capital followed by about ten minims, no ascenders or descenders, ending in "-n". Registers read and excluded: Boltigen (K Boltigen 4, Nov 1814–Jan 1815: no Stocker; no. 1 of 1815 is a Magdalena Martig [?]), Wimmis (K Wimmis 6: Dec 1814 has baptisms on the 11th and 25th only), Reutigen (K Reutigen 3: last 1814 baptism 11 Dec), Thurnen (K Mühlethurnen 10: its 18 Dec 1814 child is Magdalena Schwarzmann, bapt. 1 Jan 1815), Lauenen (K Lauenen 4: none on 18 Dec) and Steffisburg (K Steffisburg 10: 18 Dec 1814 is Anna Hodel; no Stocker). Letter shapes exclude Thun, Bern, Steffisburg, Wahlern, Thierachern, Zweisimmen, Diemtigen and Erlenbach. Saanen fits the shape but cannot be tested: its registers are still with the parish (StABE catalogue ID 988357), and FamilySearch has no indexed Saanen baptisms of 1814.
• Magdalena's age. Find a Grave's "5 Dec 1814" (born) fits a baptism on Sunday 18 Dec 1814; her ages in 1850 and 1860 fit.
• Her father. The Reutigen banns (Oct 1833) name him "Johannis" without "sel.", but the consent was the guardian's, which suggests that he was dead or under guardianship by Oct 1833; he is "Joh. sel." on 9 Nov 1834 (K Amsoldingen 5, p. 36) and in 1836.

What it proves. An original home-parish entry, contemporary (1833), whose baptism details were copied from the certificates the couple presented. Direct evidence that the groom — Christian Hirschi, Peter's son, of Schangnau, Küher, who married Magdalena Stocker of Boltigen at Thun on 26 Oct 1833 — was the Christian baptised at Thierachern on 28 Aug 1814. Grade: proven (the identification of H0169 with the Thierachern baptism, and so his parents Peter Hirschi × Maria Stutzmann). It also confirms the wedding at Thun on 26 Oct 1833 from a register entry (Thun's own register for 1833 is not online).

6. Peter Hirschi Jr. × Magdalena Oesch: the Schangnau entry, 1826

Source. StABE, K Schangnau 12, p. 161 (1826), PDF image 42, right half. Saved: …/schangnau/1826-10-06_marriage_peter-hirschi-magdalena-oesch_K-Schangnau-12_p161.png.

10, 17, 24 Sept. | copl. zu Reutigen d. 6. Oct. | Peter Hirschi, Peters, v. hier, | auf Günzenenberg [?] b. Reutigen. | gtft zu Thierachern d. 24. Apr. 1803. | Magdalena Oesch, Johannes T[ochter] | v. … Amsoldingen. | gtft zu Reutigen d. 5 [?] Jenner 1806.

What it proves. The Peter who married Magdalena Oesch (the "aunt" godmother of 1836) is the Peter baptised at Thierachern on 24 Apr 1803 to Peter Hirschi and Maria Stutzmann (index 66JX-K4C3). Married at Reutigen, 6 Oct 1826 (K Amsoldingen 10 no. 509 has the banns and "Schein Reutigen"). Grade: proven (Peter Jr.'s parentage and marriage). He is "Peter Hirschi, des Vaters Bruder, in Thun" at Rudolf's baptism, 1843.

7. The ten Swiss-born children of Christian and Magdalena (B6)

Each child is in K Amsoldingen 5 (Taufrodel 1832–1862, ID 241384, D94073.pdf) and in the Schangnau registers of citizens baptised elsewhere, K Schangnau 8 (1827–1843, ID 423416, Dateien/34/D174270.pdf) and K Schangnau 9 (1841–1860, ID 423418, Dateien/19/D96522.pdf). All were baptised at Amsoldingen. Parents in every entry: Christian Hirschi, Peter's son, of Schangnau, and Magdalena Stocker, Johannes's daughter, of Boltigen, married at Thun 26 Oct 1833 (the year only in some).

Residences: "zu Amsoldingen" 1834–1843 (Rudolf: "in Amsoldingen"); "im Lilachen" 1844–1850. The Schangnau 8 copy for 1838–41 (one certificate, "Amsoldingen 17. Novemb. 1842") misreads or mis-copies some godparents (e.g. "Rothmann" for Stutzmann). In 1839 the mother is "Maria Stoker" by a slip of the pen.

What it proves. Original, primary, direct evidence of the ten children's births and baptisms, and of the whole family group before emigration. Grade: proven for each child's parents and dates. Consequences: Christian Jr. was born 28 Oct 1834 (not in the 1834 entries up to no. 35 read earlier — he is no. 45); the Belmont list's children's ages are two to six years low; Gottlieb (b. Mar 1848) and Jakob (b. Dec 1849) were alive when the list was made (1 Aug 1850), so Find a Grave's death years 1849 and 1850 need checking in Illinois.

8. Magdalena Stocker's father and family (B4, B5): what was searched

• K Boltigen 4 (Taufrodel 1808–1830, ID 221009, D94443.pdf): 1814 nos. 50–57 (PDF 64, pp. 122–123) and 1815 nos. 1–8 (PDF 65): no Stocker baptism Nov 1814–Jan 1815. Index p. 455 (PDF 231) Stocker block: no Magdalena 1814. Anhang of citizens baptised elsewhere (pp. 347 ff., PDF 176–177): no Johannes Stocker family seen (only part read).
• K Boltigen 10 (Eherodel 1815–1875, D94451.pdf), 1833–1834 (PDF 20–21): no Hirschi × Stocker entry (negative).
• K Boltigen 12 (Totenrodel 1817–1871, ID 221017, D94453.pdf), p. 46 (PDF 25), 1833 no. 24: Johannes Stocker, Christens sel., von hier, im Hinterboden [?], ein Hausvater, d. 20 Dec, bur. 23 Dec 1833, circa 78 (saved: media/switzerland/boltigen/1833-12-23_burial_johannes-stocker_K-Boltigen-12_p046.png). Also 1830 (PDF 19): no. 4, 2 Feb 1830, a "Hans … Michaels sel." aged 70 (FamilySearch indexes a Hans Stocker, b. 1760, father Michel, buried 6 Feb 1830; the surname on the image was not yet confirmed). Candidates only; neither entry names a wife or children.
• K Amsoldingen 12 (Totenrodel 1808–1851): index S and T (PDF 98–101): no Stocker and no Stutzmann burial. Negative for Johannes Stocker at Amsoldingen.
• FamilySearch index: Johannes Stocker deaths 1829–1835 in Switzerland (exact names): the only Bernese one is Boltigen, 20 Dec 1833. Magdalena Stocker births 1814–1815 (all Switzerland, 132 results; Magdalena with a father Johannes, Bern, 1814: 423 results, Dec 1814 entries read): none is ours.

9. Other searches (all read; negatives logged)

• K Schangnau 4 (Taufrodel 1797–1836, ID 423413, Dateien/34/D174268.pdf, 340 images): the "Auswärts getauft" index for Hirschi (PDF 325) has no Peter and no Christian of 1814; its Johannes entries (pp. 388, 402, 406, 454) and Rosina entries (pp. 325, 444) are other families (fathers Johannes, Abraham, Ulrich, Samuel, Hans, Jakob). So Peter's Thierachern-born sons (1803, 1805, 1814) were not entered in Schangnau's baptism register (negative).
• K Schangnau 16 (Totenrodel 1827–1860, ID 423425, D96534.pdf): index (PDF 95–105) and pp. 13–14 (1833, deaths at Eggibühl of another Peter Hirschi's family: Elisabeth née Gerber [?] and child Maria, 18 Jan 1833; Peter, Peter's son, 47, 8 Oct 1833). No Maria née Stutzmann and no Peter of our family (negative).
• K Amsoldingen 10 (Eherodel 1807–1837), B9: the two Johannes Hirschi marriages are not Peter's son: no. 659 (Jan–Feb 1831), Johannes Hirschi, Abraham's son, × Magdalena Dietrich of Därligen; no. 26 (1832), Johannes Hirschi, Ulrich's son, × Elisabeth Hadorn (copulated 29 Nov 1832, Reutigen [?]). Negative; Johannes (bapt. 1805) remains untraced.
• K Schangnau 8, p. 117: another Christian Hirschi of Schangnau, son of the late Johannes, living at Kiesen, married at Thun on 10 Aug 1833 to Christina Kammbühl [?] (children baptised at Wichtrach 1836, 1837). Not ours, but a trap for index searches: two Christian Hirschis of Schangnau married at Thun in 1833.
• B11, StABE catalogue ("Hirschi": 113 hits; "Hirschi Schangnau": 4; "Auswanderung Amsoldingen": 2 general; "Auswanderer Nordamerika 1850": 0): no named emigration or passport file for this family. GEN 2023 "Hirschi, ca. 1700–ca. 1900" (Heimatorte Albligen, Wahlern, Guggisberg, Schangnau; family papers; not online) and FW 2626/2627 (family arms) exist.
• B12, FamilySearch catalog: Julius Billeter, Genealogy of the Hirschi family of Schangnau, Kt. Bern, Switzerland, abt. 1650–1910 (1919, typescript 86 pp.), film 599705, DGS 8129866 (99 images): image restricted ("unavailable for online viewing"). Also G. Schmid, Die Hirschi von Schangnau. Familien Register (1973, 64 pp.), film 1045418 item 10, DGS 9172937: restricted. Both go to the FamilySearch Center list (§5 of the plan).
• Saanen: registers not at StABE (catalogue ID 988357: still with the parish; contact via saanen.ch).

Working notes Proposed master changes (for the lead to integrate)

New people (suggested H-IDs to be assigned by the lead):

• Christen Hirschig/Hirschi (fl. 1776–1790), of Schangnau; smith [?] at Spiez 1776; father of Peter (H2192). Spouse Maria Spring, of Kirchdorf. Children: Bendicht (bapt. Spiez 31 Mar 1776), Maria (bapt. Reichenbach 23 Oct 1777), Peter (bapt. Reichenbach 6 Aug 1779), and per the index Samuel (1782), Maria (1784), Abraham (1787), Nickolaus (Reutigen 1790). Grade: probable (as Peter's parents).
• Hans (Johannes) Stutzmann × Anna Feller (of Pohlern [?]), of Uebeschi: parents of Maria (H2193). Children: Susanna 1769, Elisabeth 1772, Johannes 1776, Maria 1779, Peter 1784, Christian 1790. Grade: probable.
• Peter Hirschi Jr. (bapt. Thierachern 24 Apr 1803 – after 1843), Küher, of Günzenenberg [?] (Reutigen) 1826, in Thun 1843; m. Reutigen 6 Oct 1826 Magdalena Oesch (bapt. Reutigen Jan 1806). Grade: proven (son of H2192 × H2193).
• The Swiss-born children of H0169 × H0170 not yet in people.csv: Christian (1834), Johannes (1838), Friedrich (1839), Elisabeth (1841), Rudolf (1843), Gottlieb (1848), Jakob (1849), with the dates and citations in §7.

H0169 Christian Hirschi: upgrade the 1814 baptism/identification and the parents Peter × Maria Stutzmann from probable to proven (K Schangnau 13 p. 13). Add: confirmed ("admittiert") at Amsoldingen 1831; the wedding at Thun 26 Oct 1833 now also in a register entry (Schangnau). Add the ten children's baptisms (§7), residences "zu Amsoldingen" 1834–43 and Lilachen 1844–50. Note the second Christian Hirschi of Schangnau married at Thun 10 Aug 1833 (Kiesen; not him).

H0170 Magdalena Stocker: add baptism 18 Dec 1814 (place unread); confirmation at Steffisburg 1831; married with her guardian's consent; father Hans/Johannes dead by 9 Nov 1834 (and probably before Oct 1833). Keep the birth date 5 Dec 1814 as Find a Grave's (it fits the baptism). Birthplace Boltigen should be downgraded: the Boltigen register has no such baptism; place unknown. Candidate father: Johannes Stocker, Christen's son, of Boltigen, d. 20 Dec 1833 (possible only).

H2192 Peter Hirschi: birth/baptism: baptised 6 Aug 1779 at Reichenbach im Kandertal (not born; not Schangnau), son of Christen Hirschig and Maria Spring (probable). Marriage 5 Mar 1803, Thierachern (proven). Wife died 16 Nov 1828 (he was a widower from 1828). Occupation Küher (1828). Residence Amsoldingen parish 1828. Son Peter Jr. proven (1826 entry).

H2193 Maria Stutzmann: death 16 Nov 1828, burial 19 Nov 1828, Amsoldingen, consumption, aged 49 (proven). Baptism 26 Sep 1779 Thierachern, daughter of Hans Stutzmann and Anna Feller: upgrade possible → probable. Marriage 5 Mar 1803 Thierachern (proven). Correct the master's "Thierachern images only at a FamilySearch Center" sentence. FamilySearch LCTS-TSG's 19 Jan 1857 death and WikiTree's "before 1849" are superseded.

H0038 Susanna Katharina: home-parish copy of her baptism (K Schangnau 9 p. 68 no. 45) — a second original record; her siblings' baptisms (§7).

H2251 Margaritha Rosalia: birth 12 Sep 1844 is settled by the Schangnau copy (K Schangnau 9 p. 23: "geb. d. 12. Septemb.").

Occurrences: proposed in data/raw/batch-B-2026-09-27.json (not applied).

What remains (not done)

• The baptism place of Magdalena Stocker, 18 Dec 1814 (re-read the word on K Schangnau 13 p. 13; test Saanen when accessible; other Simmental/Thun-area parishes); her siblings; her mother. Johannes Stocker's burial: Steffisburg (K Steffisburg 23, 1826–1862) and Reutigen (K Reutigen 10) Totenrodel, Oct 1833–Nov 1834; read the Boltigen 1830 "Hans … Michaels sel." entry fully.
• B8: K Thierachern 8 page by page 1803–1822 for more children of Peter × Maria (Jakob? others).
• Peter's own death (Illinois) and Peter Jr.'s later life; Johannes (b. 1805).
• B13: Christen Hirschig × Maria Spring's marriage (1770s) and baptisms (Schangnau 1730? Kirchdorf 1748?).
• K Schangnau 3's index for other children of Christen × Maria Spring; K Reichenbach 6 (the original 1779 entry).
• Read in full the uncertain place-names and godparents marked [?].

Search log (StABE volumes opened; PDF image numbers)

K Thierachern 7 (D96894): 20, 23–28, 66, 70, 74, 78, 92–100, 104–116. K Thierachern 14 (D96902): 60–63, 81. K Schangnau 3 (D96513): 3, 6, 9, 12, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. K Schangnau 4 (D174268): 5, 50, 100, 146–150, 165, 200, 207, 209, 225, 228, 233, 250, 300, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 335, 338. K Schangnau 8 (D174270): 1–3, 30, 35, 40, 46–47, 50, 60, 70, 80–83, 90, 100, 110, 116–118, 120–123, 126–140, 143–147. K Schangnau 9 (D96522): 1–3, 12, 14, 16, 33–37, 39, 57, 59, 75–80, 226–251 (index part). K Schangnau 12 (D96527): 15–20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 42–48, 55–65. K Schangnau 13 (D96529): 2, 5–10, 14. K Schangnau 16 (D96534): 1–3, 9–10, 23–25, 34–35, 50, 55, 60, 63–65, 70, 80, 90, 95–109. K Amsoldingen 5 (D94073): 18–20, 37–38, 40–41, 47–52, 57–58, 67–68, 92–97, 101–102, 105–106. K Amsoldingen 10 (D94078): 10, 51–52, 55–56, 94. K Amsoldingen 12 (D94081): 5, 20–23, 40, 60, 80–85, 95–104. K Boltigen 4 (D94443): 62–65, 70, 76, 82, 150, 176–199 (part), 200, 215, 225–235. K Boltigen 10 (D94451): 15, 20, 21, 25, 30. K Boltigen 12 (D94453): 15, 19, 20, 25, 26. K Reutigen 3 (D96384): 30–36, 40, 50, 60. K Wimmis 6 (D191973): 50–57, 60, 70, 80, 90, 98, 101, 104. K Mühlethurnen 10 (D189649): 60, 67–71, 78–84, 100. K Lauenen 4 (D95456): 55, 65–69, 75, 82, 90, 100, 110, 120. K Steffisburg 10 (D96719): 15, 20, 23–25, 30.

FamilySearch index queries (27 Sep 2026): Magdalena Stocker b. 1814–1815 (Switzerland; and collection 1928860); Stocker with father Johannes b. 1813–1816; father Stocker × mother Heimann / Matti; Magdalena with father Johannes b. 1814 in Bern (pages 1 and 3); Ma*d* St*k*r 1814–1815; birthplace Saanen 1814; Stu*mann at Thierachern 1760–1795 (all; Maria exact; Chr*); father Stutzmann × mother Feller; mother Maria Stu*mann at Thierachern 1770–1830; father fzger × mother Stu*mann; father Hirs × mother Spring; Peter Hirs* 1774–1786; J*k* Hirs* with father Chr* 1780–1800; Johannes Stocker deaths 1825–1836 and 1829–1835; Stocker deaths in Bern 1826–1836.

Log line (for the session log)

• 2026-09-27: Batch B (partial): 23 free StABE register-page images into media/switzerland/{thierachern,schangnau,amsoldingen,boltigen}/ (logged in each README). Found Peter Hirschi's 1779 Reichenbach baptism (parents Christen Hirschig × Maria Spring), the 1803 marriage, Maria Stutzmann's burial 1828, the 1833 Schangnau marriage entry proving Christian's 1814 baptism, the 1826 entry proving Peter Jr., and all ten Swiss-born children. Report: families/research/bern-registers-2026-09-27.md.