Brick Wall – Jacob Huber (bef 1860–?)

By – Don Taylor

I know that “crossing the pond” can prove frustrating in
genealogical research. Jacob Huber really brings that point home clearly to me.  I know virtually nothing about him.  When I first began working on my wife’s genealogy, I was so happy to learn that her mother had some family photos of the Hubers from the turn of the previous century (my guess) and, most excellent, the photos included names on the back. 

 

 

 

Then, when I found John Huber’s marriage record entry, which names his father, it clearly corroborated what the photos indicated.  I also knew from several records that John Huber was born in Windlach, Switzerland. I assumed that Jacob lived there. 

 

I then began my regular process to find information regarding Jacob.  I found nothing.  In my searching, I found another person researching the Hubers in Windlach. Although his or her Hubers certainly were not the same ones I’ve been seeking, a response to his post on Ancestry Message Boards suggested ordering parish records for the Canton through the family history library. 

 

What a great idea. Maybe there is a hole in the brick wall. I searched the Family Search catalog and found three entries for Church records in Zurich. Of course, most are in German. The first one appeared to cover 1600-1700, outside of my search area. 
The second one, related to Immigrants in 1859, falls outside my search area. But, the third one “Die Pfarrbücher der Züricher Landschaft als bevölkerungsgeschichtliche und
chronikalische Quelle”– what might that be?  Thanks to Google Translate, I learned it means, “The parish registers of Zurich’s landscape as historical population and chronical source.”  Perfect.  Could it be exactly what I’ve been looking for? I then saw it was a book, not so good, then I found a call number, and then the disappointing words, “availability: missing.” There is a link to see if the book is available anywhere else through WorldCat. Sadly, it isn’t available anywhere else. Also, World Cat has a note saying, “The use of parish registers as a historical source in the rural areas of Zürich, Switzerland.”  Clearly, a better translation than what Google provides. I was afraid of that. The book isn’t the parish registers. Rather, it is a book, in German, about using parish registers.  Not of any help to me.

 

So the hold in the brick wall that I thought I had seen wasn’t really a hole.  Maybe just a crack
in the mortar, but it does provide a new set of angles to work on.  I’m sure I’ll find a way to see the parish
records without going to Switzerland. I’ve just got more to do. So, I guess I’ll suggest that when you hit a brick wall, don’t despair.  Poke around a bit and you should get some ideas. As long as you have further actions to do it isn’t really a solid brick wall. There is still a hole you can work through. 

Jacob Huber was born in Switzerland[1] sometime before 1860. (That assumes he was at least 20 when his son John was born).
He married Kath Struckland[2] sometime before

1879. (That assumes Jacob & Kath were married when their son John was conceived.)

Family oral history indicated that only John Huber left Zurich, so it is assumed that Jacob died and was buried in the Windlach/Stadel bei Niederglatt area.

 

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