Citizenship Question
I have traced several Swiss ancestors to the Bernese Jura area of Switzerland (Moutier, Malleray, Tavannes) where they resided for several generations (pre-1800). The Register of Swiss Surnames shows an "a" for citizenship obtained for their surnames in these communities. I understand this area belonged to the former Prince-Bishopric of Basel until it was "annexed" by France in 1792, my questions concern their citizenship during this period. Were they considered French citizens between 1792 and 1815? Were they considered Swiss citizens prior to 1792?
Thanks.
Answers
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I don't have a definite answer, just some thoughts.
Swiss citizenship was not based on the country (Switzerland) but on the home community. I would think because of that, there was no affect on their citizenship, but I don't know for sure. Also, does annexation mean the occupied subjects become citizens or the occupying country?
(https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Switzerland_Naturalization_and_Citizenship - link found in resource section at top of this community page).
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Thank you for thoughts. I was aware of their Heimat being the primary basis of their citizenship, so I guess my question was more about their nationality at the time. Now that I think about it more, back then, I assume their concept of nationality was much different than ours today, and they may not even been aware of (or cared) what nation they belonged to. You bring up a good point on the annexation question...I know they were subject to French taxes and conscription under French rule, so I wonder if that made them French citizens.
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The first point to make is, that a "Swiss citizenship" didn't exist prior to 1798 - simply because there was no "Swiss" State. The first time a Swiss ("eidgenössisch") citizenship was set up in the Helvetic Constitution of 1798. This principle was also kept during the Mediation period (1803-1815) and later ... BUT ...
Already in 1792 the "Raurachische Republik" was set up as "Sister Republic" to France, was later integrated into the (French) Department Mont-Terrible, which in 1800 became part of Alsace (Dept. Haut-Rhin) - until the Vienna Congress of 1815. So until 1815 people in this region were French citizens - and they seemed to like it (they managed to keep French legislation for decades, despite belonging to canton Bern now). The issue was finally settled with the Swiss Constitution of 1848.
Conclusion: today's rules of Swiss citizenship are only valid since 1798 - with the exception of parts of the Jura region before 1815, and a somewhat mixed situation until 1848.
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Thank you very much. This is very informative, just what I was looking for.
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