Balsiger - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

PHILLISBACON — 2012-04-02 23:11:51Z

My Balsiger family came from Bern Switzerland, immigrated up the Mississippi river from New Orleans in the mid 1800's.
They settled in Illinois.
There were 3 brothers that came from Switzerland, and the names that u have added don't sound familiar from my family.
Some of them left Illinois and went to California, and some came to Ione, Oregon area.
The Ione Balsigers mostly came to the White Salmon area.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

woodned — 2012-04-02 19:12:27Z

My grandfather was born in Redfield SD. His father was Gotlieb Balsiger married to Nettie. My grandmother was Jessie. They all moved to Portland in the early 1900s. They are all burried in a Balsiger family plot at Riverview Cemetary in Portland. I have heard of
Elmer and the K Falls Balsigers. I heard some moved down there from White Salmon WA. Elmer owned the Ford dealership in K Falls. My grandfather's nephew Melvin balsiger is still in the Portlad area, I believe he's in his 90s now.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

janjbals1 — 2012-04-02 18:50:24Z

My Grandfather was Elmer Henry Balsiger, He was born Dalton or Dolton Illinois in 1880's, he married Mae Riggs. They then moved to Redfield S Dakota. My father was born in 1908 in redfield and lived in Grants Pass, Oregon until they moved to Klamath Falls in 1923. His brothers name was Eston.
Elmer Balsiger had several brothers that came to Klamath falls in the early 1950's for a reunion, but I am not sure of their names. I would like to know Elmers, Father and Mother's name, and also his grand parents name.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

woodned — 2012-04-02 12:06:05Z

I might also correct myself that it was a second cousin in Hazel Dell. He is her dad's nephew. I spoke with him about a year ago. He said he used to travel to Bern almost every year and stay at the Balsiger farm that has been in the family for over 425 years.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

woodned — 2012-04-02 11:57:00Z

My mother Adele Balsiger from Portland OR had one made of her family from Bern that went back to the 1600s I believe. She passed away in '81 & I can't remember what happened to it. I am trying to locate it. I believe her cousin who still lives in Hazel Dell Washington has a copy or at least one that he had made.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

PBacon3416 — 2012-04-01 21:41:22Z

What is your time frame, Which Balsiger family?
We do have some what of a family tree, but mostly after they came to the U.S.
But we do have some information on the ones that came from Switzerland, and they did come from Berne.
We are not related to all of them.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

janjbals1 — 2012-04-01 18:09:01Z

Do you happen to know if there is a family tree for the Balsigers that came from Berne.

Re: Balsiger Family

PHILLISBACON — 2012-03-11 18:04:14Z

We do not have a Mary tht married Max Bertram.
When she immigrated to U.S., where did she settle?

Re: Balsiger Family

anitatecumseh — 2012-03-11 01:57:23Z

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAVE A MARY BALSGER BORN 8-22-1885 IN YOUR RECORDERS SHE MARRIED MAX BERTRAM

Re: BALSIGER - MUHLETHURNEN, BERN, SWITZERLAND

haj_bigler — 2012-01-25 18:08:25Z

Hello! My name is Hans-Jörg (in english John George) Bigler. I live at Lucerne in Switzerland. My grandmothers girl-name was Balsiger. Her place of origin is Mühlethurnen, (County) Seftigen, Berne. Susanna Balsiger does'nt belong to my branch of the family, because her father Christian Balsiger (born 1829 , march 13) married twice (first Johanna Spring from Steffisburg, Berne; 10 children=your branch) and after Johanna's death my ancient Elisabeth (another 4 children=my branch; one daughter emigrated to the U.S. in 1915, descendants in CT). I have informations back to th early 18th century till a certain Samuel Balsiger. If you're interested of informations, you can contact me by mail (haj.bigler@bluewin.ch). Greetings

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

lesb246 — 2011-04-03 18:39:41Z

James,
We are related as Elmer was my father's second cousin. I remember stopping in K Falls as a kid at the Ford dealership.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

janjbals — 2011-04-03 17:44:38Z

First thing, I would like to say Hi to Tracy.
My name is James, but almost everyone calls me Jay. I have lived in Klamath Falls,Oregon all of my life and I am now 67 yrs old.
My grandfather Elmer Balsiger, and his wife Mae, along with their sons Stuart and Eston moved from Redfield S. Dakota to Grants Pass, Oregon and then on to Klamath Falls, Oregon. Elmer Balsiger started Balsiger Motor Co. in 1927.
Elmer Balsiger died in 1957. Mae Riggs Balsiger born 1881 died 1947.Stuart Balsiger born 1913 died 1967. Buelah Saunders Balsiger born 1913 died 1976. Eston (Mike) Balsiger born 1919 died 1998, wife Billie lives in Klamath Falls.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

orygungurl — 2011-03-05 18:18:36Z

Hello I am Tracy Miller Cohen. My mother is Gwen Balsiger, and her brothers, Richard and James were born in Klamath Falls Oregon, to Beulah Saunders Balsiger and Stewart Riggs Balsiger. Stewart's (my grandpa) dad is Earl Balsiger married to Josephine Riggs. Eston (Mike) and Stewart were their two boys. Earl and Jo were divorced and Earl remarried a lady named Blanche. They had a daughter named Trixie. Earl Balsiger and the two boys moved from Redfield South Dakota to Oregon Klamath Falls and operated Balsiger Motors Ford dealership for 3 generations of Balsigers.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

lesb246 — 2011-01-07 13:19:09Z

My Grandpa was born in 1898 and lived until 1965, my Grandma lived until the early 80's.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

woodned — 2011-01-07 04:07:53Z

My grandparents lived roughly from 1885~1980

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

jlpbacn — 2011-01-07 03:28:43Z

There are families in Seattle with the last name Balsiger, and I am not familiar with them either.
I have been doing genealogy for about 15 years and I was raised in the White Salmon area.

Most of my adult life I have lived in the Seattle area

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

jlpbacn — 2011-01-07 03:26:15Z

Those names aren't familiar to me.
What dates would they have lived?

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

lesb246 — 2011-01-06 23:08:31Z

That would be great, I am interested in knowing this.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

woodned — 2011-01-06 23:05:18Z

I would be interested to know if the Richard you speak of knew my granparents Edwin & Jessie Balsiger. I'm going to try to contact Melvin Balsiger (my grandfather's nephew) to try to get some more information.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

lesb246 — 2011-01-06 15:34:16Z

Will Balsiger was my Grandfather's (Alvin Balsiger) brother, my Grandfather lived across the river from White Salmon in Hood River. Richard must be my dad's cousin.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

jlpbacn — 2011-01-06 03:18:09Z

Our Richard Balsiger was son of Will Balsiger from White Salmon Washington.
I don't know about a Bobby.
Richard is in his upper 80's

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

lesb246 — 2011-01-06 01:22:59Z

Yes the Balsiger in Klamath Falls who owned the Ford Dealership was my Dad's 2nd cousin. I only met him twice when I was young. Richard Balsiger in Portland was a distant cousin as well from what my Dad told me.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

woodned — 2011-01-05 20:57:02Z

I asked my brother & sister (both in their 60s) for Balsiger family memories. My sister remembered that our mother had a cousin Richard or Dick Balsiger in portland and that there were also cousins in Klamath Falls. My sister remembers a "Bobby" could have been Roberta Balsiger from that area as well whom vacationed with our family in the late 50s. My Brother remembers that there was a cousin who had a Ford delearship back in the 60s or 70s. I can't remember if it was in Klamath Falls or Medford but it was in Southern Oregon.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

jlpbacn — 2011-01-05 07:11:52Z

New Years day I had a visit from a Balsiger cousin(3rd) that has been to the family place in Switzerland many times, and we shared pictures and information about Switzerland. We was the one that informed me that they left from Bern, but were from Wabern.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

jlpbacn — 2011-01-05 07:02:06Z

I am not sure the Gottlieb you were speaking about was the family from White Salmon and Oregon Les, is related too

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

jlpbacn — 2011-01-05 06:58:43Z

Our Balsiger Family immigrated from Bern Switzerland, but the family were from Wabern
Switzerland.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

woodned — 2010-12-18 20:42:30Z

I don't recall the names of many of the Balsiger cousins or where they lived. I do remember going to a Balsiger reunion at a home in SE Portland in the mid 70's. I remember that whichever Balsiger it was had installed a swimming pool for his wife to get exercise. There were lots of Balsiger cousins and nephews in attendance. If I run across any more family history that may be of help I will post it. I am attaching a copy of Gottlieb Balsiger's wedding certificate. He was my Great Grandfather.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

lesb246 — 2010-12-18 04:57:39Z

I know that my dad Phillip R. Balsiger, who was born in White Salmon, Washington in 1921 (died) 1988, knew about some Balsiger's in Portland who were distant cousins maybe it was him? My Grandfather was Alvin Balsiger who lived in Hood River, Oregon as did my father. Alvin was born in 1898. We also had 2nd cousins in Klamath Falls. I do know that we came from Berne orginally. I just moved from Oregon to Wyoming.

Re: Balsiger Family from Oregon

woodned — 2010-12-18 02:54:26Z

Hello, I am Edwin Wood. I live in Astoria, Oregon. My mother's father was Edwin Balsiger(Nov 4 1886~Apr 19 1980). He lived three houses East of 24th avenue on Alameda. I believe he moved to Portland from Redfield,South Dakota as a young man. He was married to Jessie Balsiger (March 17 1885~March 22 1974. They are both buried at Riverview Cemetery in a good sized family plot that also has my grandfather's father's & mother's graves, Gottlieb & Nettie Balsiger. There are also some Babcocks in the same family plot. My grandfather had a nephew, Melvin Balsiger who lived at 13609 NE 25th Ave Vancouver, WA 98686. If he is still around he would have to be around 90. I went to his house around eight years ago to have him look at some family photos to help me identify people. He spoke then of the family coming to America from Berne and how he flew over there almost every year and spent a month with the Balsiger family on the Balsiger farm that had been in the family for over 425 years.
My mother was Adele Balsiger and she was the only child of Edwin & Jessie.
I don't know if this helps you out any but it was interesting to find someone who may be a second or third cousin.
Feel free to contact me, I have a brother & sister who may have better memories than I do.
Edwin Wood

Anne/Anna Balsiger

pwalkermn1 — 2010-11-07 18:34:34Z

Seeking information on the parents and siblings of Anna Balsiger born Switzerland 1808. She married Christian Bruni in 1828 in Monroe County, OH, and they had 12 children. I assume she was from Canton Bern.

Balsiger Family from Oregon

lesb246 — 2010-09-17 17:23:53Z

My family ended up in Oregon. All that I know so far is that we came from Switzerland and the Canton of Berne. My grandfather was Alvin Balsiger and my dad was Phillip R. Balsiger both of whom lived in Oregon. I currently live in Cheyenne, Wyoming. We are starting a Balsiger page on facebook and planning for a 2011 Balsiger Renunion to which all Balsiger's are invited - this will be held in Denver

BALSIGER - SPRING

Arlene557 — 2010-04-28 00:24:25Z

Looking for information on my gr-gr grandparents (Christian BALSIGER m. Susanna SPRING in Steffisburg, Bern, Switzerland 1852. I have a citizenship paper that belonged to thier daughter, Susanna BALSIGER saying she lived in Muhlethurnen, Bern. Please contact me if you have a connection.

BALSIGER - MUHLETHURNEN, BERN, SWITZERLAND

Arlene557 — 2009-09-09 17:33:49Z

My great-grandmother was Susanna BALSIGER. b. 17 Sep 1862, in Switzerland, d. Nov 1936 in Denver, CO. I have a document (in German) that says she cam from Muehlethurnen, Seftigen, Bern Switzerland in Dec. 1881. Have passenger list showing she arrived in US Jan. 1882. Her fathers' name was Christian. Both of her parents are buried in Switzerland. She had siblings named Fritz, Rudolph, (possibly 10 children in this family). Susanna married Henry TOBIAS pos. in Missouri abt. 1882-1884. They had 5 children (only 3 lived to adulthood)Agnes, Anton and Edith TOBIAS.

I am looking for any information I can find on this family. Or, direction on where and how to look for information in Switzerland. My dream is to find a living relative in Switzerland also interested in Genealogy. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Re: Balsiger of Switzerland

LawernceRomagnino — 2009-03-22 04:26:16Z

Hi Daniel,I just saw your posting. My name is Larry Romagnino married to Anna Elisabeth Imhof, Annelies, She was born in Switzerland. Her father was Ernst Imhof of Bern and his mother was Anni Hanni daughter Bendect Hanni and Anna Balsiger.Anna Hanni was born 18 Jan 1861 and died 18 Feb, 1895, in Bern. Annelies' mother was Hedwig Schmid born 1891 in Thawil, Switz. and died in 1969 in Winterthur, Switz. She was married first to a Burri had three daughters, Heddi, Freidl and Minle. All now passed away. She divorced Burri and later married Ernst.
I hope you are still involved with genealogy.
Could their be a connection?
Please advise either way. My e mail address is aimhof21@aol.com

TOBIAS, Ernest - Joplin, MO

Arlene557 — 2008-09-05 18:11:52Z

Looking to find living relatives of Ernest (Earnest or Ernst) TOBIAS. He had a brother Henry TOBIAS who lived iin Denver, CO, married to Susanna BALSIGER. A sister Lydia who lived in Joplin, MO. I believe Lydia had 2 children - Max and Rose. Last name Leareye??

Ernest TOBIAS spouse pos. Ellen MACKEY.

BALSIGER, Suzanne or Susanna

Arlene557 — 2008-09-05 18:07:20Z

HELP...Searching for any information on Susanna (pos. Suzanne) BALSIGER, b. 17 Sep 1862 in Berne, Switzerland. Married Henry TOBIAS (date unknown) She came to US 1879 - 1882, lived for 40+ years in Denver, CO. Had 3 children, Agnes, Anton and Edith. Died 14 Nov 1936 in Denver.

Balsiger of Canton Bern, Switzerland

englisberg1 — 2007-11-19 18:37:40Z

I did a y-chromosome DNA test on a Balsiger from the village of Englisberg some 5 years ago. Englisberg is right next to Zimmerwald, about ½ mile distant. I expect that you will be a perfect genetic match. The Balsiger surname is documented
in Englisberg and Zimmerwald since the 1500's and all modern namebears most likely share a common, namegiving, male ancestor.
To document your own family should be very easy for you. The Family History Library (LDS/Mormon Library) have all records from Zimmerwald on microfilm. You should have no trouble to find Samuel Friedrich Balsiger and then can easily go back through the generations.

It will take anywhere from 6 weeks to 2½ months for the test results to come back, depending on the volume they are processing. Come holidays, usually there is a large increase of test kits being tendered, which are the results of Christmas presents.

Re: Balsiger of Switzerland

cbbalsiger — 2007-11-19 17:15:23Z

I just sent my DNA in and am eagerly awaiting the results. Wondered if anyone else has done this and if they learned anything interesting. I am looking for Balsigers from Zimmerwald Switzerland. My grandparents were Harry Homer Balsiger and Edna Mae Bradley. My grandfather's parents were James Lincoln Balsiger and Annie Christy Craig. James Lincoln's parents were Samuel Fredrich Balsiger Jr. and Mary Painter. Samuel came from Berne Switzerland.

Balsiger of Switzerland

englisberg1 — 2007-04-15 17:50:15Z

you are most welcome to join that would allow you to compare your Y-DNA result with the Swiss-based Balsiger we have on file.

Hereon below is the link for the sign up form

http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.aspx?code=R97736&a...

best regards
Daniel Guggisberg

Re: Balsiger of Switzerland

lesb246 — 2007-04-12 21:56:34Z

I am a Balsiger, lesb246@netzero.com I would particpate, my family came for the same area in Switzerland.

Re: Origin of the name Balsiger

2006-09-27 23:21:02Z

The church (Evangelical) is in a suburb or Bern, Von Konitz. My cousin's son is going there and will take a picture of it. I would love a picture of your banner. I have seen a family crest with 3 hills and 3 stars - very nice, but I'm not sure it's authentic.

home e-mail is cdoctor@socal.rr.com

Palm tree

2006-09-22 00:22:45Z

I will inquire among my cousins. I had also thought
that perhaps the palm tree had something to do with Calvinism, because I understand the palm tree was the symbol for the Calvinists.

Re: Origin of the name Balsiger

2006-09-21 18:58:39Z

That's fascinating, I've never heard of such a church - would you know how to locate it?

If you're interested I can send you a picture of the family banner.

Gruss aus Bern,
Jörg

Re: Origin of the name Balsiger

2006-09-21 04:46:17Z

I have heard from relatives who went to Berne that there is church there with a Balsiger family window and the symbol is the palm tree. I wondered about that because I don't imagine there are many palm treesin Switzerland.

Re: Balsiger

lisa14432 — 2005-08-30 18:53:31Z

Hi Denise! You may already know this, but at ellisisland.org you can see the original ship's manifest from when great grandpa Christ came from Rougement, Switzerland in 1907. Says he was 16 years old. Final destination says Monroe, Wisconsin. It's pretty cool. Was there also a brother Jacob that came with Christ? And maybe a sister Louise? They are listed also on the 1907 journey, same starting point and same destination. Ages 17 and 19 respectively, I think.

Re: message #4 posted by Denise Balsiger

meshelmybell — 2003-10-12 14:15:56Z

I would love any info you have as I am doing research for my friend and his family came from Jones Co. IA which I think is close to Dubuque. Christian was his ggrandfather.
Thanks, Michelle Cox

Re: Balsiger from Bern, Switzerland

DavidGustafson27 — 2003-06-29 01:35:09Z

Mary Ann:
Thank you for your reply. However I think my Friedrick and Anna Elizabeth Balsiger are different. Fred was born March 20, 1857 and died January 13, 1934. Anna Elizabeth was born April 1, 1862 and died July 1, 1959. Her maiden name was Buerki. Would you have any information about this Fred and Anna Elizabeth Balsiger? I am finding out those were pretty common names in Bern, Switzerland. Thanks again.
Linda

Balsiger of Switzerland

2002-03-18 18:52:06Z

Hi, my name is Daniel Guggisberg and I live in California. My family originates from a region called "Längenberg" which is
just a few miles southeast of Bern, Switzerland's capital. The
surname Balsiger is very common there, particularly in the
villages of Englisberg and Zimmerwald. The Balsiger surname,
in fact has a recorded presence in these 2 villages for at least
500 years and likely go back another 200 years or so.

I am doing a Y-chromosome DNA project on the old established
families of Englisberg and Zimmerwald, which includes the Balsigers and am looking for male Balsiger persons willing to
participate.

In your posting you mention that your connection is fairly
close to Switzerland, i.e. only going back to approx. the
1890's. Your family thus could be a prime candidate to
participate. There would be no cost for any participant as
same is borne entire by me.

The other old-established families are

BACHMANN
BLATTER
BRÖNNIMANN
FISCHER
GUGGISBERG
HUGI
SCHMID
STREIT
ZIMMERMANN

Best regards
Daniel A. Guggisberg
Los Angeles, CA

Balsiger Family

PHILLISBACON — 2002-03-10 20:01:39Z

I have in my family tree:
1793-1856 children of Christian Balsiger married Ana Hadel
children:
Friedrich, Margaretha m(Schwarz), Gottleib,Anna m(Schwarz), Elizabeth m (Schneider), Rudolph, this family originally started in Bern. I can go back to nearly 1390.
Phillis jlpbacn@Yahoo.com

Origin of the name Balsiger

2002-03-08 06:56:16Z

I'm just amazed about all that's to be found on the Balsigers! Here's my two cents worth (told to me by my late grand father Ernst Balsiger, born 1908).

The name Balsiger originates from the two words Palme (palm tree) and Sieger (winner). Apparently, some branch of the Balsigers used to be merecenaries and regularly winning competitions where the first pricze was a branch of a palm tree. According to my grandpa, Palmensieger (winner of the palm) became Balsiger. For this reason, the family banner that has been handed down through my branch has apalm tree in it (flanked by two stars).

Does anybody know if this is true?