I bought this book as a step to learn about my ancestors who emigrated from Graubünden, Switzerland, 300 years ago. It is a thoroughly researched book on emigration waves from the villages around Trien, Flix, and Chur, when hunger struck the inhabitants of this part of the Alps. Surprisingly, they often found their luck abroad working as confectioners.
This book, more than an easy read, is a scientific study on which Graubünden family surnames ended up where.
On a personal level, learning about the constant migration, expulsion, and settling that my ancestors faced, was eye-opening. However, it is also eye opening, that well being and economic stability even in Switzerland is a new thing and we should keep in mind that many of our ancestors on Europe were forced to leave their place themselves. The read can provide the reader with a new perspective on how to cope with migration today by raising the question: What would our ancestors have liked to find in the places they arrived?
About:
- Author: Dolf Kaiser
- Title: Fast ein Volk von Zuckerbäckern: Bündner Konditoren, Cafetiers und Hoteliers in europäischen Landen bis zum 2. Weltkrieg
- Publication Date: 1988
- Cover: Hardcover
- Publisher: NZZ Libro
- Number of Pages: 216
- Language: German
- Price: Out of stock
- Non-Fiction
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