Today, nearly 716,000 Swiss citizens live outside Switzerland.

More than half of these, 442,620, live in Europe. Some 76,330 live in the United States and 39,186 live in Canada.

There are an estimated 1 million people with Swiss roots in the United States with half as many living in Canada.


Perhaps the most famous person who could have Swiss roots is American President Barack Obama. A Swiss genealogist found the 1692 baptism certificate for one Hans Gutknecht – Obama’s seventh-great grandfather on his mother’s side.

You can read more at swissinfo.ch



















Swiss traditions are found in many communities. Volkfest  is performed annually in New Glarus, WI. Above is the New Glarus Jodlerklub. 

Just down the road there is a celebration of Swiss cheesemaking every other year at the "Green County Cheese Days" in Monroe, WI.

A Swiss wine festival is held in Vevay IN, in the appropriately named Switzerland County. Sugarcreek, OH celebrates its Swiss Festival in September.

Learn more about what we call "Eat, Drink and Yodel!" in Swissconsin.

Other events you can find on our Events Page.

Learn more about being Swiss in North America by checking out the page links below.

The People with Swiss Roots
Who are they? What did they do?

Check out this logo.

Did you know it's Swiss? Keep reading.

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The average Swiss eats 23 lbs of chocolate per year compared to the 11.7 lbs consumed by each American every year.

Enough said, and enough about chocolate.

What about Tell? Or Gallatin?

Here...learn about the people of Helvetica Bold.

Swiss Center Photo Gallery
The Swiss Center travels many places, and you do too. Send us pictures, and we will add to our Photo Gallery.  Come on in and take a look as we've just begun!

Swiss Center Community Stories
Swiss Center community members have been so kind to share their family stories which you can begin to read by clicking here.


Frederick J.Waldburger has been writing about his Swiss roots which begins with his Great Grandfather Johann "Hans" Waldburger, son of Hans Waldburger and Ursula Ziegher Waldburger of Buchen-Luzein.

This family of 10 came to America in the 1880's.

The story continues here with links to part one and two.