GENEAL-FORUM

Hallo,

I apologize for my lack of written German. That said, please do not hesitate to respond in German!

I am currently researching the Hofmann family from the Kirchgemeinde Rüeggisberg. In particular, I am looking for additional information about the following couple:

Emanuel Hofmann von Ober Bütschel (* 3 June 1714, + 22 July 1781)
Barbara Pul[f,v]er von ? (+ 25 July 1781)
Married: 9 April 1750 (KG Rüeggisberg)

Despite consulting various sources in the Staatsarchiv, I have found very few references to the Hofmann family, and none related to this couple or their children.

So far I have reviewed:
Kontraktenmanualen des Landgerichts Seftigen
Kontraktenmanualen Riggisberg
Kontraktenmanualen Rümligen

Are there any other potential sources that you would recommend that might contain information for the Hofmann family?

As an aside, I came across a reference in Beiträge zur Heimatkunde des Amtes Seftigen (1906)[1], which outlines the divisions of the Landgericht Seftigen. It notes: “Abteilung: Bezirk des Stiftsamtes, d. h. der ehemaligen Probstei Rüeggisberg. Zu diesem Gerichtsbezirk gehörte auch der Nünenenberg.” Could this imply that some records pertaining to Rüeggisberg might be held in another section of the Staatsarchiv? In the Bezirksarchiv Seftigen there are no documents related to this area of the Landgericht (I think?).

Thank you very much for any suggestions or insights!

Kind regards,

Michael

[1] https://www.e-rara.ch/bes_1/doi/10.3931/e-rara-50309

mykull hat geschrieben: Fr 16. Mai 2025, 22:47 Despite consulting various sources in the Staatsarchiv, I have found very few references to the Hofmann family, and none related to this couple or their children.

Im Taufrodel 4 von Rüeggisberg findest du auf Seite 436 (PDF 222) die Taufe der Tochter Anna von diesem Ehepaar, getauft am 16.09.1753.
Vermutlich findest du hier und im Taufrodel 5 (1756-1796) weitere Taufen.

Bei Familysearch findet man übrigens weitere Kinder von diesem Ehepaar.
Stammen deine Angaben von hier?

Hallo Michael

Welche Archiv-Bestände ausser den von Walter erwähnten Kirchenbüchern hast du denn bereits ausgewertet? Insbesondere aus dem Bezirksarchiv Seftigen: Testamente, Erbschaften, Fertigungen, Landgerichts-Protokolle, etc.? Urteile des Oberen Ehegerichts in Bern? Chorgerichts-Manuale von Rüeggisberg?

Welche Dokumente erwartest du zu finden? Zu jener Zeit muss eine Familie nicht zwangsläufig zivil-, verwaltungs- oder strafrechtliche Spuren hinterlassen haben.

Peter

Thank you, Walter and Peter!

I should have clarified in my original post: I have collected all the churchbook records for the Hofmann family from KG Rüeggisberg and surrounding parishes using the PDFs from the Staatsarchiv. I’ve also gathered information from the Chorgerichtsmanuale for Rüeggisberg and Thurnen.

My interest in additional sources stems from the fact that the Hofmann family in Rüeggisberg is large and complex, with multiple lines using the same names, making it difficult to trace across generations. I have found that the geographical notations in the churchbook records are not enough to untangle the family, even with the help of this 1742 map to guide me (Atlanten 59, https://www.query.sta.be.ch/detail.aspx?ID=424886).
Ober Bütschel being here:
https://www.query.sta.be.ch/bild.aspx?V ... 0&SQNZNR=8

Baptism zeugen also have not provided much help. The Minister was quite terse in some years with few details that could provide hints.

In the past, I’ve used entries from the Kontraktenmanuale for other families to help clarify lineages. During a brief visit to the Archive several years ago, I focused on Kontraktenmanuale in areas near Rüeggisberg for this reason.

Peter, I agree that there may be no further references, but much of the enjoyment of this hobby for me lies in the search itself! Even when I fail.

I’ll be visiting Bern in a few weeks and am compiling a list of documents to review - not just for the Hofmanns, but other families too. So far, I have added Bez Seftigen 379–385 (Erbschaftswesen) to my list.

This morning, I also came across another potentially useful series: the Bodenzinsbücher des Stifts für Rüeggisberg und Guggisberg (1699–1793, Urbarien Seftigen 25-onwards).

Kind regards,

Michael

Bei der Taufe 1753 war das Ehepaar Hofmann-Pulver aber auf der Giebelegg wohnhaft, nicht in Oberbütschel (s. oben bei Walters Antwort).

Peter

Hi Peter,

Very interesting. However, I think the format of the entries on that page, starting from the top appears to be date, geographical location, child name, parents and zeugen?

eod. ______ Ober Bütschel
Anna
par. { Emanuel Hofmann
Barbara Pulfer
Test. { [...]

That would make Giebelegg the location for Hans Schweingruber and Elsbeth Hofmann?

I think the entry for Emanuel and Barbara's child Maria on PDF page 216 is more clear, or that of their son Emanuel on PDF page 228. What is your opinion?

Kind regards,

Michael

Du hast recht, Michael: bei der Taufe war die Familie in Oberbütschel zuhause. Ich habe den Trennstrich auf die Schnelle falsch interpretiert - aber mit der ganzen Seite wird es klar.

Hast du die Gerichtlichen Manuale von Seftigen auch schon konsultiert?

Peter

Danke Peter.

Thank you for the pointer. I will review those during my visit!

Michael