GENEAL-FORUM

I am working on a research project about the Swiss ancestry of former U.S. President Barack Obama and I need some assistance. The President's 7th great-grandfather was Hans Gutknecht who was Baptised at Ried bei Kerzers, Freiburg in 1692. Like many Swiss from this era, he went to Pennsylvania via Alsace.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/life-aging ... r/15349746

I was excited to know that Mr. Hans Herren, a local scholar and genealogist, had already studied the matter at length. Not having Mr. Herren's contact information, I reached out to the Freiburg Canton Archives and they graciously sent a note to Mr. Herren on my behalf.

This was during the winter and I have not heard back from Mr. Herren. I was wondering if any here knows Mr. Herren or is familiar with his research about the Gutknecht family from Ried bei Kerzers. I would love to correspond with him. Aside from President Obama, only two other U.S. Presidents have Swiss ancestry: Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower.

Thank you!

Dear Joseph
Hans Herren does not have an e-mail address. He is already at an advanced age and I don't know how his health is. I will try to contact him. I will keep you informed.
Best regards
Heribert

Dear Heribert,

I deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness and assistance with this matter. Please be assured of my sincerest gratitude.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Kind Regards,
Joseph

Dear Joseph
I was able to contact Mr. Herren through a third party and he is willing to help. Could I ask you to give me more details of what you are looking for?
Best regards
Heribert

Dear Heribert,

I am most grateful to you for looking into this matter for me. Thank you!

I am looking for two things:

1) A pedigree chart/family tree detailing the President's Swiss ancestry starting with Hans Gutknecht who was Baptised at Ried bei Kerzers in 1692.

2) If Mr. Herren has any images from the parish registers documenting the information included on the pedigree chart/family tree, I would love to have them, as well, particularly the Baptism record of Hans Gutknecht and his parents marriage record.

Again, I am deeply grateful.

Kind Regards,
Joseph