Introduction
"We are the chosen. In each family, there is one who seems called to find the ancestors. To put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell the family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve. Doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts, but instead, breathing life into all who have gone before. We are the storytellers of the tribe."
Welcome to the Glarus Family Tree—a living history that breathes life into the stories of those who came before us. My name is Patrick Wild.
For many years, my passion has been tracing the families of Glarus, with a special focus on the descendants of emigrants who left our beautiful canton between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. What began as a dedicated search for these Glarner roots has blossomed into a comprehensive database of nearly 400,000 individuals. This extensive research allows me not only to chronicle the fascinating emigration history of the Glarus people but also to help their descendants across the globe discover their heritage.
Today, the Glarus Family Tree has grown far beyond its original borders. While it remains deeply rooted in the canton of Glarus—tracing back to the very beginnings of our church records in the 16th century—it has evolved into a much broader tapestry. The tree now encompasses numerous bourgeois, patrician, and noble families from across Switzerland. It stands as a remarkable record of prominent Swiss families, all of whom share a fascinating familial connection to the families of Glarus.
Practically everyone recorded in this database is linked together, often traced all the way back to their earliest documented progenitors. This interconnectedness creates a truly unique family tree, enabling comprehensive kinship analyses that span more than 15 generations.
In keeping with my scientific standards, it is of the utmost importance to me that every individual in this database—especially those from centuries past—is meticulously documented. Every entry is backed by precise source citations, ensuring that this family tree is not just a collection of names, but a historically accurate and reliable resource.
Driven by countless inquiries, particularly from America, I realized that building a family tree was only the beginning. I wanted to provide a deeper understanding of the history of the Canton of Glarus and its people. Therefore, this website is designed to be a rich resource for passionate genealogists and curious descendants alike. Here, you will find a wealth of genealogical topics, helpful links, interesting and actual blogs and downloadable resources. Furthermore, if you are planning a journey back to your roots, you will find recommendations to help you prepare for a visit to our stunning canton—from its museums and archives to its welcoming hotels and restaurants.
Dive in, explore the rich history of Glarus and its extended Swiss family, and discover the stories waiting to be told. The following topics are available:
This link will take you directly to the Glarus Family Tree with nearly 400,000 people with a connection to the Canton of Glarus. If you cannot find your relatives in Switzerland, USA, Brazil or anywhere else in the world, please write to us and we will try to find the link.
With a voluntary donation everyone can contribute to the financing of The Glarus Family Tree project. These donations are used, in order to settle the costs of Web space, Webhosting and domain. The webmaster of this website expresses his thanks for your donation.
Since we would like to improve our website constantly, we welcome every comment and suggestions. Please contact us here and/or leave a comment on our website here.