de Büren Family

Ruff Times

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:28:00 +0000

I am always intrigued by how certain fashion defines an era. I adore the fashion of the 18th century, but the austere aesthetic of the 16th and 17th centuries fascinates me even more.

The first time I saw a double cartwheel ruff and a fur hat in a painting of an ancestor, I was shocked. I am no fashion maven, but the somber appearance of the black robes, chains, undulating stiff cloth propping up sullen faces and gloves in hand ready to strike the insolent commoner was not the most inviting look. Yikes.

The ruff fell out of fashion at the beginning of the 17th century in most of Western Europe in favor of collars and bands, except for Holland, where it was worn for many more years. It appears the Swiss were taking the fashion tips from Amsterdam and not Paris.

As I have done research, the style appears over and over again in paintings of my ancestors and of other prominent Swiss families from the period. I have grouped a sampling of the fashion below in all its puritanical and repressive glory. Enjoy them, just not too much.

Barbara von Wattenwyl, painted 1621.

Margaretha Fries, painted in 1670. Photo courtesy of the Swiss National Museums.

Helena von Wyttenbach, painted in 1638. Photo courtesy of the Burgerbibliothek Bern.

Salomé von Erlach, painted in 1623. Photo courtesy of the Burgerbibliothek Bern.

Magdalena Nägeli, painted in 1622. Photo courtesy of the Burgerbibliothek Bern.

Regula Hirzel, painted in 1583. Photo courtesy of the Swiss National Museums.

Lady of Zürich, painted in 1650. Photo courtesy of the Swiss National Museums.

Maria von Manuel, painted 1638. Photo courtesy of the Swiss National Museums.

The Aristocratic Bern Aesthetic

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:13:00 +0000

When I was younger I spent many summer's traveling around Switzerland and visiting my older relatives in Bern, Denens and Geneva. It struck me that many of the interiors were all decorated in a similar old world style.

While I would love to have photos of the those interiors now, I think the photos below (all from the extensive © Burgerbibliothek archive) showcase that style well, especially that of the old families of Bern.

The subsequent photos, taken most likely in the post WWII period, are all from the de Tavel villa on Schosshaldenstrasse in Bern. The de Tavel villa interestingly is on the same street as Bürenstock, the manor home of the de Büren family for many years.

When I saw these photos I was struck at how familiar it all felt. The style of furniture, the fabric patterns, the walls adorned with artwork, and the way family portraits were suspended from crown moldings.

As an aside, the de Tavel family is deeply significant to the de Büren family not so much for an association with Bern, but rather one in the canton of Vaud. The Château of Denens was acquired through marriage with the de Tavel at the end of the 18th century, and is the only castle that is still in family hands today.

Magasin Agricole

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Thu, 09 May 2013 06:05:00 +0000

In conducting some research today I found a very interesting reference to my great-great-grandfather, Henri de Büren in the March 19th, 1870 edition of the Feuille d'avis de Neuchâtel .

His name is associated with an ad announcing the opening of a shop for local farm products in Neuchâtel. At the time he was the President of Agricultural Society of Neuchâtel, so my guess is it was a store front for all the best products from the region, not just those from the castle of Vaumarcus.

The ad follows in both French and English:

Magasin agricole et débit de lait

faubourg du Lac 6

Le soussigné a l’honneur d’informer le public de la ville de Neuchâtel qu’il ouvrira dans le courant du printemps un magasin où les personnes qui voudront bien lui accorder leur clientèle, trouveront à un prix raisonnable et bien conditionnés, tous les produits de la campagne, tels les fruits, légumes, lait, beurre, miel, oeufs, vins en bouteilles, etc., etc

Le débit du lait commencera dès le 1er avril prochain, au prix de 26 centimes le pot, mesure nette, rendu à domicile, et de 25 centimes pris au magasin. Ce lait est garanti parfaitement franc de tout écremage. Les personnes qui seraient disposés à en prendre dès la date sus-indiquée sont priées de bien vouloir s’annoncer jusqu’à fin mars courant, auprès de Mad. Elise Junod, faubourgh du Lac, n° 6, 1er étage, en indiquant leur domicile et la quantité de lait qu’elles désirent prendre. Les comptes seront réglés au mois.

L’ouverture du magasin pour les autres produits sera annoncée par un avis ultérieur.

Henri de BUREN

Vaumarcus, 3 mars 1870

Farm Products and Fresh Milk

Faubourg du Lac 6

The undersigned has the honor to inform the public of the city of Neuchâtel that he will open a shop in the spring where people who are willing to grant him their business, will find reasonably priced and well packaged local farm products, such as fruits, vegetables, milk, butter, honey, eggs, bottled wine, etc., etc.

Fresh cream topped milk will be available from April 1st, priced at 26 cents a jar, net measurement, for home delivery, and 25 cents in the shop. Interested parties who would like delivery from the date above are kindly requested to inform Mrs. Elise Junod, faubourgh du Lac, No. 6, 1st floor, by the end of the month, indicating their home address and the amount of milk they desire. Accounts will be settled monthly.

The opening date of the shop for the local farm products will be announced by an upcoming notice.

Henri de BUREN

Vaumarcus, March 3rd, 1870

The street of Faubourg du Lac, taken by Victor Attinger a very famous Swiss editor in 1918.

A Google map view of Neuchâtel, with the shop location denoted by the "A".

17th Century Epithalamia

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Wed, 08 May 2013 06:09:00 +0000

In conducting research tonight on e-rara.ch, an online resource for digitized rare book from Swiss libraries, I found two 17th century de Büren family related epithalamia. An epithalamia is a song or poem in honor of a bride and groom on the their wedding day.

The first was from the 1637 wedding of Albert von Erlach and Anna von Büren. The second was from the 1647 wedding of Nicolas Dachselhofer and Barabara von Büren.

Both epithalamia are in Latin, French and German. I am including images from them below and hope to get a translation of the poems and songs soon.

Assemblage

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 03:56:00 +0000

While my family history is long and illustrious, my strongest personal association is with the 19th and early 20th centuries. This may be because of my extensive research surrounding the life of my great-great-grandfather, Henri de Büren but I think it has more to do with the quantity of family documentation that survives from this time period.

As a designer, artist, and photographer I am drawn to the sketchbooks, letters, journals and numerous business papers that remain. The beautiful sketch made down by the lake, the photographic portrait make in 1870s Geneva, the penmanship of a letter between siblings or even the typography used on the water bill are all revelations in their own right.

The following photographs are a sample of these items that hold dear and in which I am so continually fascinated. Enjoy.

Story@Home Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:53:00 +0000

Unlike many who search their family past only to discover precious little, I am uniquely blessed with a rich narrative tapestry covering more than eight centuries. One that starts in the 12th century on the blood-drenched battlefields of Europe and weaves its way through the steaming jungles of the Amazon, the fertile pampas of Argentina and finally to California's Central Valley. My family tale reads like a great novel, evoking the grand sweep of history, bursting with complex intrigue, compelling family drama, and fascinating personal stories.

Captivating as the history was, as I delved deeper into my research, year after year, I started to feel oddly empty. I thought I knew what this ancestral gift meant to me, but I hadn’t gone deep enough. For years I had only focused on facts and figures and not on the emotional component of my ancestor’s lives. Once I did, my research took on a more profound dimension and I was able to understand their lives and myself in a whole new way. Ultimately, my journey to share my family’s story has been an effort to tell my own.

I will be presenting Finding My Family, Finding Myself on March 23rd in Salt Lake City at the Story@Home Conference, a storytelling conference held in partnership with RootsTech. I feel it is a unique opportunity to tell my story and am deeply honored to be presenting among such amazing company.

To register for the Story@Home conference which runs from March 21st through the 23rd click here.

The Family Bank

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 06:57:00 +0000

When I was a boy I heard stories of our family bank. Family bank, you say? A Swiss bank account I can believe, but who has a bank? Much to my dismay the bank was closed before I was born and the family trust which it was founded to hold is long since extinct.

The von Büren bank was founded by Albert Eugène von Büren (1817-1896) of Bern in 1838 and later became a private bank in 1860. In addition to holding the von Büren family trust, the bank was also very active in private banking for many of the other bourgeois families of Bern.

Eugène Charles (1845-1923), the son of Albert would later take over the bank and rename it E. Büren & Cie in 1884. Eugène Charles and his wife Catherine Marie de Salis-Soglio would not have any children so the bank would pass to another Eugène (1889-1966), his nephew, who would run it until its sale in 1963 to the Swiss National Bank.

Eugène would not have any children, and rumor has it, he tried in vain to persuade other members of the family from Geneva and Vaud to enter the banking profession and take over for him. Alas, no one was interested. He would sell the bank three years before his death, and would tragically be the last von Büren in Bern.

From 1860 until 1909 the bank was located at the Effingerhaus on Münstergasse in the old town of Bern close to the beautiful Cathedral.

From 1909 until it's sale it was located on the Bundesplatz, the most important square in Bern, in the same building where the Valiant Bank now sits.

Drawing of Lots

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 17:31:00 +0000

My father has told me on more than one occasion that two de Büren sisters did not speak for years because of a chair. It appears that one coveted heirloom was promised to one sister and then became the property of her sibling. I took it as merely embellished family storytelling, but I found a document that may give some credence to the tale.

My grandfather, Henri de Büren, was one of eight children, and it appears that in February of 1944 at Châtelaine, near Geneva, there was a Tirage au Sort or a Drawing of Lots to divide up de Büren patrimony of Philippe Frederic de Büren amongst his children. Philippe Frédéric did not pass away until 1953, but as he was living on the Ranch in Argentina and most of the family furniture, silver, et al was still in Geneva, perhaps he felt it was time to divide the family heirlooms so his children – many of whom were living in Europe – could enjoy them.

As the lots were drawn, someone illustrated them, first quickly in pencil and then again in ink. While these objects were partitioned, my understanding is that most of them stayed in storage until after WWII. While I recognize certain objects from my trips to relatives as a boy, most are a mystery to me.

If the enmity between two sisters over a chair really did exist, it may have simply resulted from the luck of the draw.

La Nuit de L'Escalade

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 05:19:00 +0000

On December 11th 1602, the forces of the Duke of Savoy launched an attack on the wealthy city-state of Geneva, one he had coveted for years. The troops marched along the Arve River at night and assembled at Plainpalais, just outside the city walls. At 2 o'clock in the morning they started their attack. The original plan was to send in a group of commandos to open the gate door, but the night guard Isaac Mercier raised the alarm, church bells were rung, and the Genevois awoke to save their city. The largest part of the Savoyard fighting force tried to scale the city walls with their black ladders but were repelled. The populace fought alongside the town militia and the Duke's 2000-plus mercenaries were repelled. After the defeat, the Duke of Savoy was obliged to accept a lasting peace, sealed by the Treaty of St. Julien, signed July 12, 1603.

Most of the books in our library have specific family significance, but some are important because of the region of Switzerland they come from. La Nuit de L'Escalade is just such a book. The book was published by ATAR (Ateliers Artistiques) in Geneva and penned by Alex Guillot. It has letterpress pages and beautifully reproduced color illustrations done by E. Elzingre. During my almost three years in Geneva I remember celebrating the Fête de L'Escalade a number of times and feel lucky to have such a beautiful family heirloom that celebrates its significance.

I have included below a representative page and illustrations from the 1915 ATAR edition. Enjoy.

Voyages en zigzag

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 05:29:00 +0000

In looking through some family books I found a large tome bound in green leather, its spine replete with ornate gold filigree. Inside its yellowing pages are beautiful engravings of the Alps in addition to many that document everyday 19th century life.

Voyages en zigzag : ou, Excursions d'un pensionnat en vacances dans les cantons suisses et sur le revers italien des Alpes, chronicles the voyages of a school teacher and his boarding school students on a number of 19th century voyages through Switzerland and Northern Italy. It is the first in a series written by Rodolphe Töpffer, a Swiss teacher, author, painter, cartoonist, and caricature artist. He is also considered to be the first modern comic creator.

Of its many beautiful examples I have scanned a small set of the engravings I found most interesting.

La Tour du Lépreux, Près d'Aoste

Le Simplon, entre Isella et Gondo

Saint-Gothard

Rive de Meillerie

Boltigen

Le Roc perché

Voyages en zigzag was originally in the library of my great-great-great-grandfather, Edmond Alexandre de Freudenreich at the Château of Monnaz (VD) in Western Switzerland and was owned most recently by my great-aunt, Natalie de Büren.

On an interesting historical note, it appears that Töpffer's two travel volumes were the inspiration for American author and poet Hezekiah Butterworth's twelve volume Zig-Zag Journeys published in the 1870s.

A Family Crest Through Time

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 05:06:00 +0000

As a graphic designer who specializes in developing corporate identity and brand systems, a consistent application of a visual identity is key for recognition and longevity. The same can be said for heraldry.

Brand success is determined in a couple of years. What about a family brand with over four centuries of visual examples?

I thought it would be interesting to gather a sample set showcasing the de Büren family crest in myriad heraldric applications over the centuries. The examples include metal castings, stonework, woodwork, ink, oils, engravings, ceramics, stained glass, textiles and a wax seal impression.

While every example shows creative license, there is no doubt that the key elements that make the de Büren family crest unique have been handled with care over time. Enjoy.

Father's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 17:39:00 +0000

Today I want to acknowledge all the de Büren men who came before me.

Their lives show me the importance of family, responsibility and living with a sense of purpose. They also have given me a broad epicurean palette and deep love of art. I want to thank them for giving me a strong foundation by which I have been able to guide my own destiny.

Happy Father’s Day.

Around the World in Forty Blogs

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 05:43:00 +0000

To my utter amazement and delight I have learned that the de Büren Family blog, a labor of love for countless years, has been acknowledged as one of the top 40 genealogy blogs for 2012 by Family Tree Magazine.

"We chose these blogs based on their overall quality of content and design, potential interest to other researchers, and relatively current status."

I assumed that my blog would have been placed under a Swiss header, but was pleased to see it under a special category called Winding Roads, dedicated to broader storytelling.

"Don’t limit yourself to reading blogs that cover strictly your ancestral land. Some blogs wander through several countries as they follow a family’s journeys. The de Büren Family, for example, traces an 800-year trail through Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil, England, France and the United States."

I am deeply honored by my selection and gratified that others find my family narrative as compelling as I do. Merci.

Star of Your Family Story Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:05:00 +0000

The following video is my entry in the Ancestry.com Star of Your Family Story Contest. How do you get people interested about your story in under 2 minutes? This was my take.

25 Generations

Although my ancestors lived in different eras, with different social structures and cultural norms, there is still an emotional resonance to their stories that makes them accessible and relevant even today. It is this resonance that makes me want to share them with a larger audience.

Film Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:28:00 +0000

I love storytelling. I love film.

During my journey to actively chronicle the history of my ancestors, some of their stories have seemed very cinematic to me, their stories have dramatic weight, visual consequence.

Instead of simply couching my observations, I have made an effort to realize them. The following is a small treatment for a historical drama that I would like to make. I am in the early stages of writing the screenplay and want to make sure the story is dramatically compelling for those who are seeing this story for the first time. To that end, I would love your feedback. Does the story speak to you? Are the characters approachable? Are they intriguing? What is missing for you?

The story is set in 19th century Switzerland and South America. It is essentially a story about perception, loss, handicap, and the redemptive nature of love.

"The Silent Fire” © Jean-François de Buren

Amazon, 1853

In the distance a large white riverboat makes its way down a wide dark river, its smokestacks belching and sputtering. There is a din of bird calls and primate hooting that punctuates the thick night air. The steamer Marajon slows and drops anchor along the rivers edge. Henri de Büren, a Swiss nobleman, botanist and explorer in his late 20s is on deck. He is ruggedly handsome. He wears a cream colored careworn suit that is lit ever so gently by the moonlight. His hat shades his piercing blue eyes that have seen much these past two years.

The first mate picks up his gun along with his leather shoulder bag and makes his way down the gangplank. Henri looks into the vast verdant expanse teeming with unknown peril. Henri is weary, he hesitates, then grabs his revolver. He checks the chamber, picks up his bag and disembarks. They both look at the river boat one last time and disappear into the jungle.

Flash forward 18 years later.

Vaumarcus, Switzerland 1871.

On a warm Autumn afternoon Children of various ages are seen playing at a Castle overlooking a lake. There is much running and giggling in between pear and apple trees. The smiles of happy children. Only when the oldest girl signs to her brother Gustave (10) do you realize that he and his sister Jeanne (12) are deaf.

Dinner that night at the castle provides a glimpse into the lives of Gustave and his siblings. A sumptuous Sunday meal adorns a long table that is surrounded by well-heeled family and invited guests. The same frivolity that prevailed outside hours earlier is absent here, children are meant to behave themselves and are meant to be seen and not heard. This is doubly ironic for Gustave.

Gustave’s life is privileged but at times very insular. He and his sister are taught by a very kind governess at the castle, but he pines to see more of the world outside the castle walls. He can often be seen at the window while his other siblings leave for a local school. One of his consistent joys is exploring the local woods with his dog, father, and grandfather. In nature and with animals is when Gustave is at his happiest.

One Fall evening after a long walk in the woods, Gustave is unable to sleep. He carefully leaves the room his shares with his two younger brothers and walks down the dark hallway in the direction of his father’s study. Dappled moonlight dances on the hallway walls, highlighting ancestral portraits and moving eyes. He arrives at his father’s study which is lit by warm lamplight and glances through the crack in the door frame. Gustave’s eyes are drawn to a mass of brightly colored feathers and what looks like a human head in the room’s armoire. His father looks up from his desk and sees Gustave’s face lit by lamp light in the door jam. Gustave frightened hurries back to bed. Henri realizes what his son has just seen, he turns to look at the head, makes a pained expression and slowly closes the armoire door.

The next day Henri (now 45) and his father Albert (a young 69) head off to a natural science conference in Neuchâtel. They are expected to be gone for a couple of days. As the carriage makes its way along the lakeside, Albert is engrossed in a book and Henri casts a long gaze on the lake’s surface. The sun glinting off the water transports him back to the Amazon some 20 years hence.

Flashback: Santarém, Brazil, 1853

The sun is rising on a bustling marketplace in the trading hub of Santarém. There are all manner of items sold in the markets, fruits, dried fish, and live jungle animals. It seems a cross between zoo and mining town. Henri takes off his hat, and wipes his forehead with his handkerchief. He places his hat back on and reaches into his breast pocket for a letter.

While the Marajon’s first mate goes to get provisions, Henri goes to visit the local French Vice-Consul in Santarém, Monsieur Gouzenne. Gouzenne has been a business man in Brazil for some 10 years. He had the pleasure of showing the great French naturalists Castlenau and Mauraval around Para some years earlier.

Henri and Gouzenne walk around Santarém. Henri’s voyage of two years through the Americas is almost at an end. During his voyage he has collected plant species along his journey but he desires something truly unique to take back with him to the castle. Having heard about the about the local headhunting tribes on the river steamer, Henri inquires about bartering for local ceremonial objects. At Henri’s inquiry his host becomes visibly nervous and changes the subject.

Henri and Gouzenne dine together and their conversation touches upon a wide range of subjects, politics, art, but eventually returns to Henri’s desire. Gouzenne becomes very agitated and stresses his unwillingness to help. Henri starts to believe 10 years of hot Brazilian sun has affected his host. Gouzenne cuts the meal short and says he must return to work. Henri feels slighted by the abrupt change in tone and leaves.

As Henri walks down the street towards the marketplace, Gouzenne’s domestic servant Eduardo catches up with Henri. He says that he overheard the conversation and says he can procure what Henri desires, “for a price”.

Vaumarcus, Switzerland 1871.

Gustave is playing with his siblings in the castle courtyard. His aunt Sophie, a local healer is going to give comfort to a local family and as asks Gustave if he would like to join her. She is well versed in the healing properties of medicinal plants, many of which she finds in the vast botanical gardens of the castle.

They walk for a while until they come to a small farm house. Sophie and Gustave are ushered in to a small room where a boy Gustave’s age is bed ridden and gravely ill. She deftly makes a herbal remedy for him and provides comfort both to the boy and his grief stricken parents. Gustave is moved by his aunt’s compassion.

On the way back to the castle Gustave is deep in thought. He asks his aunt if the boy will recover and why he suffers? “It is God’s will” she responds. Processing the answer he asks another question, “Was it God’s will that I was born deaf?” Words fail his aunt, she pulls him close and hugs him tightly as hot stinging tears roll down her cheeks.

The next day Gustave goes out in the woods with his dog as they often do. While bending down to inspect a colorful leaf, he notices movement out of the corner of his eye, but so does his dog. There is a great stag standing amongst a thicket of trees and heavy mist. The dog instinctively takes off after the stag, Gustave cannot call the dog back and gives chase. They run through the woods at breakneck speed, the stag, the dog and Gustave. Close by, a local hunter sees the flash of the running stag, he whirls around and takes aim. A shot rings out that Gustave cannot hear. The hunter has missed the stag but has killed Gustave’s closest companion. The hunter finds Gustave bloodied, disconsolate and softly weeping by his dog’s side.

Henri gets word of his accident the next day in Neuchâtel and he and Albert return at once to the castle. On the way home Henri feels panicked. It’s happening again, he thought he had escaped fate’s cruel hand, a cover of darkness envelops him. He has flashbacks of death. A local boy who died in a farming accident, his sister Charlotte, the death of an immigrant on the roadside in Peru and most tragically his first wife dying in his arms only weeks after their wedding. Henri is shaken.

Henri returns to the castle and comforts Gustave but there is an odd distance. Henri seems detached.

Later that evening Sophie approaches her brother. She is more than a healer she is connected to the unseen. She feels very strongly that the objects in his armoire are cursed and need to be removed from the castle. Is she feeling true malevolence or Henri’s consuming fears. Outwardly Henri seems dismissive of the dark omens, but inwardly he believes dark forces may be at work.

After some time, life at the castle returns to normal and Gustave gets a new dog, but he is now forbidden from leaving the castle alone. He stays close to home.

One stormy evening Gustave has a vivid dream about the Amazon. It is lush and magical and seems to call to him. The dream reminds him of the stolen look at the contents of his father’s armoire. The next afternoon while his father is in the garden, Gustave secretly enters his study, his curiosity is propelling him to find out what is there. He knows he shouldn’t be in the room, his anticipation pregnant, his senses heightened. He opens the armoire door very slowly and... nothing. Could he have seen things? Was it all in his imagination?

The following week Gustave is exploring the castle with his new dog. Gustave and his dog explore a seldom visited part of one of the medieval towers. It is filed with disused furniture, ancient weapons and a very old strongbox. Gustave’s dog becomes very interested by the box. The dog begins scratching, and barking trying to get inside. Gustave opens it. He is greeted by vibrant feathers of red, blue, yellow and green. He reaches into the strongbox and removes the feathers only to discover they are a headdress. He places it on his head, and his dog barks approvingly. He returns to the box to see what other secrets are to be found inside. Gustave jumps back, a shiver shoots down his spine. He is frightened and intrigued in equal measure. There in the box is a human head, with sewn mouth and gauze for eyes staring blankly back at him.

After a moment or two, Gustave overcomes his fear and ventures back to the box. Leaning against the head is a journal. He fishes it out and opens it. The first page reads “The voyage of Henri de Büren”. Gustave skims the many yellowing pages, the city names of Boston, New York, Havana, Mexico City, and Lima jump out to him. Gustave removes the headdress and starts to read.

Gustave no longer cares about leaving the grounds of the castle, all he wants to do is read the journal. Everyday he returns to the box and is transported to far away lands.

Gustave reads with great relish of his father’s many encounters and exploits while in the Americas. He starts to see his father very differently. He sees him as a young adventurer and not the distant parent. How could this be the same man? What happened?

As a result, Gustave feels more adventurous himself and soon asks his grandfather if he can go on a hike with him. Along the way Gustave asks his grandfather about the Alpine plants. They spend many days together. Gustave’s grandfather is impressed by his uncanny eyesight, inquisitive nature, and stamina. Gustave starts to see himself beyond his handicap. He only wishes his father could see him as his grandfather does.

Gustave is again reading from the journal when he comes across the most heroic of moments. While is Peru, Henri helps prevent the massacre of Peruvian soldiers by members of his expedition. Gustave’s admiration for his father surges and he wants to share his knowledge of the journal with him.

Gustave finds his father outside in the courtyard. When he shows his father the journal, Henri becomes unhinged. Henri knows that if Gustave has found the journal, he has found the head. Enraged, Henri grabs the journal and forbids him from finding it again. Deeply hurt, Gustave runs away crying and accidently spooks a horse that runs down his aunt Marie and his baby brother. His aunt Marie breaks her leg and his baby brother is almost killed. Gustave feels culpable.

Later that night Gustave sees his father tenderly comforting his baby brother and speaking with him tenderly, he feels guilt, jealousy and rage. He wishes he could have that sort of relationship with his father. He decides to run away.

Gustave packs a couple of things and leaves the castle with his dog. He decides to head for the mountain cabin. He makes the rustic dwelling by nightfall.

The next morning, Gustave can’t be found and Henri and his wife are sick with worry. He has never taken off before. Henri feels more and more the world closing in on him. He should have left the Amazon spirits in their jungle.

Flashback: Amazon River, 1853

The Marajon is ready to shove off. Henri waits on the shore for Gouzenne’s servant Eduardo. “He said he would come. He said he would get me what I wanted.”

There is a rustling of leaves and branches as a figure emerges out of the dark forest. It is Eduardo but he looks different, his face pale, his gaze dull. “It’s going to cost you double. I risked my life for this.” His voice tremulous. Henri hesitates and then gives him the money. The servant hands him a jute sac, his hand trembling. Eduardo tells Henri that the head will now make him a great hunter. Henri turns and boards the steamer for his final leg to the Atlantic. On deck he turns to wave to Eduardo, but he has vanished.

That night Henri dreams of a great consuming fire and a jungle hunt, a jungle hunt where he is the prey.

Vaumarcus, Switzerland 1871.

Henri’s father Albert and sister Sophie realize they need to help find Gustave and bring Henri back to reality. Sophie makes Henri a local herb tonic and secretly summons mystical spirits to help. Henri's father goes to look for Gustave.

After sleeping in the mountain cabin for the night, Gustave looking for something to eat realizes he brought the journal with him. He pauses for a moment and sets it down. After the initial hesitation he picks up the journal again and reads, it’s pull is simply too strong. As Gustave is engrossed in the narrative, his grandfather opens the door, “I thought I might find you here”, he says with a smile.

Gustave and his grandfather “talk” for hours. Gustave shares with his grandfather how his father’s journey inspired him, but now after the accident at the castle he feels helpless and unwanted. Albert says there is nothing father from the truth. Gustave’s grandfather talks about Henri and his growing belief in a curse that has afflicted those that he loves. Gustave’s grandfather is dismissive of the entire notion. He says “If the curse were real, then you would be the result of something ungodly, and how could that be true. You are the sweetest and kindest soul I have ever known.”

Gustave and his grandfather after some time resolve to go home but not before Gustave proves something to himself. Like his father and grandfather before him, he wants to climb the local mountain. His grandfather reluctantly agrees and they make the ascent together.

Back at the castle, Henri is slipping away. His sister is trying to help him but to no avail. His visions are getting more vivid, he is being pursued, the jungle is out to get him.

Gustave and his grandfather climb the mountain. Albert becomes weary halfway to the top, he asks Gustave to return with him to the cabin. Gustave refuses, he feels he must finish, even if it’s alone. Gustave perseveres and makes it to the summit despite his physical pain and doubting inner voice. Gustave returns the cabin and he, his dog and his grandfather return home.

Henri is distraught, and semi-lucid. For some unknown reason he feels compelled to go to the barn. While in the barn he sees a vision of a Mundurucú headhunting warrior about to strike. He screams. His horse is spooked and kicks Henri at the temple, his lamp is thrown clear. Henri crumples unconsciously. The hay on the barn floor starts to smolder.

At that moment, Gustave and Albert approach the castle. They see the barn on fire. Albert signs Gustave to stay where he is while he goes to get help. Gustave wants to listen to his grandfather but he needs to rescue the animals.

Gustave runs into the burning barn and starts to rescue the animals. He looks down and to his surprise he finds his father unconscious on the ground. The Barn is engulfed now. Gustave’s deafness is an asset here. The animal noises and people screaming for him do not distract him. He sees a clear way through the fire and drags his father to safety.

The barn fire is eventually extinguished and Henri and the castle are saved.

Both Henri and Gustave feel as if a weight were lifted and both look at each other differently from that point. Gustave no longer feels inadequate, and Henri sees his son for his incredible strengths and not his limitations. Henri would come to realize that he was never cursed and looks upon his past and his future with fresh eyes. Both have found peace.

A Tree of a Different Variety

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:50:00 +0000

There have been many family trees created over the long recorded history of my ancestors. Some doubled as scroll genealogies, but most were the traditional vertical tree with heraldry.

A number of years ago, I decided to make one of my own. It would be different. I wanted something that I could divide into manageable sections so the numerous branches of my family could focus only on their line if they chose. I also wanted a living document that I could change without too much effort. What I ended up with was a 5 page interactive PDF document with color coded male birth order, a line thread and links to blog posts. One day I hope to convert the tree into flash with embedded bios, portraits and heraldry. I have included some screen grabs below. If you would like to see the original, please don't hesitate to contact me.

SwissCommunity Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:22:00 +0000

I was interviewed for the Spring edition of SwissCommunity online newletter. The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) devised and created SwissCommunity.org. Its aim is to strengthen the link between the Swiss abroad and Switzerland. The official launch of SwissCommunity took place on 21 August 2010 in St. Gallen as part of the 88th Congress of the Swiss Abroad. The SwissCommunity platform now has over 10,000 global members.

Interview with Jean-François de Buren

SwissCommunity’s Online Magazine, spring edition 2012

Mr Jean-François de Buren is the father of two girls, comes from the San Francisco area and works as a graphic designer and marketing strategy consultant. Mr de Buren is also a passionate historian, writer, storyteller and soon-to-be filmmaker. This is why he takes care to preserve his family’s cultural heritage and is committed to the conservation of Swiss culture in the United States. Additionally, Jean-François de Buren is active as a board member for the Swiss Center of North America in New Glarus, as a member of the advisory board for the Musée des Suisses dans le monde, Geneva, as a member of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco, as well as taking care of marketing for the Swiss Center in Los Angeles.

In this interview, Mr de Buren gives us an insight into his family history, whose origins can be found in Switzerland. We learn about the connection to Switzerland that he maintains through his research on his ancestors and how SwissCommunity helps him to continue his relationship with his grandfather’s homeland.

Your grandfather emigrated from Switzerland to America in 1923. What made him take the hop over the pond?

 My grandfather’s father had originally sent him to Fresno, Southern California to work on a Swiss farm. After this he was supposed to take over the family farm in Córdoba (Argentina). However, his path led him to San Francisco, where he fell in love with a young French woman. He never left on the ship to Buenos Aires.

You are very intensively engaged with your ancestors. What fascinates you so much about them?

 What makes me particularly curious are the personal stories. Although my ancestors lived in different eras, with different social structures and cultural norms, there was always love, passion, envy, anger, and disappointment. This emotional resonance is timeless and makes their stories both accessible and interesting.

Which historical Swiss-themed highlight of the de Buren family would you like to share with us?

The most important story is my great-great-grandfather Henri de Buren’s voyage to America. He left the family Château de Vaumarcus overlooking Lake Neuchâtel in 1852. For two years he travelled through the United States, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Brazil. In the United States he met up with many compatriots, travelled through Mexico with aristocratic Frenchmen, and documented the journey of the first German immigrants to Peru. I have been researching his story for five years. Working together with the Musée des Suisses dans le monde in Geneva, I hope to be able to publish the diaries of Henri de Buren.

You are a member of SwissCommunity.org. How do you use the platform, and for what? 

I use SwissCommunity to launch discussion topics and to link up with other Swiss expats with similar interests. SwissCommunity is a valuable tool for me. Many of my current cultural projects have come into fruition thanks to contacts on SwissCommunity.

Do you think that members of the SwissCommunity could help you with your genealogical research? If so, how? 

I’m convinced they can. But I’m hoping not only to get their support in researching my family history, but also ask for their assistance in conserving Swiss culture in general. For example, I edited the questions for the Swiss-American edition of the game “Helvetiq” by interviewing other Swiss people via social media, i.e., SwissCommunity.org. The beauty of social media is that information and knowledge can be shared quickly and easily. If the readers of this interview want to get involved or are interested in my projects, I would ask them to contact me on SwissCommunity.

What kind of relationship do you have with Switzerland?

 I cherish Switzerland very much. Not just because it is the home of my ancestors, but also because of its beauty and fantastic quality of life. Sometimes I wish I could make Switzerland even more open and dynamic with my ideas.

What things from Switzerland do you wish you had in America, too?

 There are many things. I wish the Burgerbibliothek and the Historische Museum in Berne were closer, which would make my research much easier. The region of La Côte, the view out onto the lake and the wine are unique. There are many food products that I miss, such as hazelnut yogurt, to name but one item.

You have the floor…

 I’ve often wondered what the Swiss abroad think about the importance of being Swiss. The Swiss people that I know identify themselves more strongly with their linguistic, cantonal, and local origin than with Swiss nationality.

What do you think about it? Link to discussion.

Historical Twitter Feed

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:57:00 +0000

On NPR the other morning, I heard of someone sharing a famous author's work in 140 character tweets. The name of the author escapes me now, but I though the idea was a good one.

Last week I started to tweet historical passages from my great-great-grandfather Henri de Büren's letters and journals of his voyage through the Americas. I will tweet his observations in chronological order from 1852 Boston to 1854 Santarém. Please follow the journey @henrideburen.

The Travel Visa

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:59:00 +0000

eBay is turning into a wonderful resource for family documents, who knew? The latest find concerns again, Louis de Büren, Bernese Governor of Lausanne. The document ia a travel visa for the extended lands of the canton Bern, and the city of Lausanne for one Etienne Faure. The visa was initially authorized on August 4th, 1794 and good until October 17th, 1794.

Five days after it was approved it was revoked by Louis on August 9th, 1794. It is possible that the subject of this document could be the same Etienne Faure who was the Treasurer of Dauphiné at the time. The Dauphiné is a former province in southeastern France, whose area roughly corresponded to that of the present departments of Isère, Drôme, and Hautes-Alpes. Given the fact that this document was available after all this time and in good condition, it seems clear that Mr. Faure's visa was never granted.

The text in French:

Il est permis à Etienne Faure, de Die en Dauphiné de séjourner jusqu'au 1ere octobre, 1794 dans le Canton de BERNE & et nommément à Lausanne sauf l'agrément à obtenir de qui il appartiendra. Ce terme écolué, on aura soin de se pourvoir d'une nouvelle permission, sous peine d'être renvoyé du pays. La présente permission devra être produite chaque fois que le porteur en sera requis.
Donné ce 4 août, 1794.
De la part de la Commission ayant la surveillance des Etrangers. signé Gruber

(Note from Louis)
... charge de vous dire qu'on ne prolongera plus cetter permission. ... de vous en prevenir Château de Lausanne. Le 9 août, 1794. signé de Büren

Tales from the Armoire

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:20:00 +0000

I have followed the blog Newly Swissed for a while now. I have found it to be informative and fun. The site is described thusly: "Newly Swissed helps you stay up to date with trends in Switzerland. You can expect high quality coverage from an insiders’ view in the departments of culture, design, food, tourism, and simply cool facts!"

The founder of the site and I began talking about all things Swiss and one day I floated an idea of writing a multi-part series on my family history and research. He thought it was a nice idea and so it began. All of my posts of Tales from the Armoire – A Multi-Part Series on Finding Identity through Family History are now live. I appreciate the opportunity to share my Swiss family stories with a new audience. Thank you Newly Swissed!

Posthumus Film Credit

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:50:00 +0000

A number of months ago I received an email from documentary film director Victoria Bruce. She found my Grandfather's Central & South American film footage on my YouTube channel and expressed interest in using scenes of 1960 Panama in her film We're Not Broke. As I have my own filmmaking aspirations I consented freely.

My grandfather filmed Central & South America during a trip he and my grandmother made in 1960. It was his first trip back since leaving Argentina as a boy for Switzerland in 1911.

I was just informed today that We're Not Broke will be featured in year's Sundance Film Festival lineup. As I dream one day to have my own film at Sundance, it fills me with great pride that at least one family member is being recognized this year. Bravo Henri!

Swiss Miniature

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:18:00 +0000

I came across the following image today and was thoroughly puzzled.

It is the de Büren ancestral family Castle of Vaumarcus, but in miniature. I did not know if this was for an event at the castle or for a cantonal celebration, but after some research found out that it is one of many models of Swissminiatur, a theme park of Swiss scale landmarks.

Swissminiatur is located in Melide, Ticino near Lugano. It was founded in 1959 by Valais grocery store owner Pierre Vuigner. Mountains, lakes, trains, and precision, so very Swiss. Photos below give some idea of scale of this "Little Switzerland".

Stuck in Customs

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:20:00 +0000

Family research is like panning for gold, lots of time hunched over, not knowing when you might find a nugget. Some of my finds lately have come from unlikely sources. The latest gem was from eBay. I stumbled upon a document written to my ancestor Louis de Büren, who was at the time the governor of Lausanne, by a local merchant who had leather goods held up in Aosta. He needed Louis' help in getting them released, which Louis did on June 6th, 1795.

The text of the document in French:

Très Noble, Magnifique et Très Honoré Seigneur Baillif

Jean Jacques Mercier, négociant de cette ville, fidèle sujet de l’etat, et très obéissant serviteur de votre magnifique seigneurie, prend la liberté de lui exposer avec un profond respect.

Qu’ayant fait une emplette de cuir en poil de Genès, qui sont actuellement en route dès la cité d’Aost [Aosta], au nombre de cent pièces, lesquelles lui auraient d’abord été arrêtées aud(it) Aost, la sortie de ces cuirs pour ce canton lui a été permise, par le bureau général des royales gabelles de Turin, le 24e mai dernier, moyenant l’engagement qu’il a pris sous caution, que dans le terme d’un mois il ferait entrer dans ce duché d’Aost la même quantité de cuirs fabriqués en Suisse.

L’humble exposant est dans l’intention de faire partir le plustot possible, à tant moien de son engagement, si votre magnifique seigneurie a la bonté de le lui permettre, la quantité de trente cuirs pour le susdit duché.

C'est cette permission qu'il sollicite humblement de votre magnifique seignuerie, en se

répaer dans en voeux pour sa précieuse conservation.

Nous permetton la sortye des trents cuirs cy nommes. Au Château de Lausanne, le 6 Juin, 1795. de Büren Baillif.

A great find to put it mildly. What I love most is the language. The first line after the salutation is the most memorable. "Jean Jacques Mercier, local businessman, faithful subject of the state, and very lawful servant of your magnificent lordship, with profound respect takes the liberty to present himself." Not exactly Dear Sir.

Louis de Büren's signature

The de Büren family seal used to certify the release.

Jeanmaire's Cat

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:10:00 +0000

A small pencil sketch of a cat has adorned a desk at my parent's home ever since my childhood. The French inscription says "Likeness of Pupi. Sunday evening, Castle of Vaumarcus, October 23, 1892. E. Jeanmaire to Miss Jeanne de Büren."

Jeanne de Büren was a talented artist in her own right but what interested me was finding information on E. Jeanmaire. After some research it seems clear that the cat was drawn by Édouard Jeanmaire, a very important local artist from the time period. He was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds and would produce many nature-themed paintings and sketches during his lifetime (His bio and examples of his artwork follow below).

The only question I had was why 1892? The castle was sold by Henri de Büren in 1888. My ancestor's must have remained close to the new owners and certainly returned to Neuchâtel from Geneva often to visit local friends, artists and scientists. What I love most about the drawing is at 120 years old the quick sketch style is timeless and could be done in a very similar fashion today.

Edouard Jeanmaire (1847-1916)

Biography of Édouard Jeanmaire from the Library of La Chaux-de-Fonds
Edouard Jeanmaire (1847-1916), peintre, est né à La Chaux-de-Fonds et mort à Genève. Il est originaire du pays de Montbéliard en Franche-Comté. Son père Lucien Jeanmaire est horloger. Sa mère Emilie Courvoisier, héritière du domaine de la Joux-Perret, s’occupe de lui. A dix ans, son père le place dans une famille de paysans à Dombresson pour garder les chèvres. A douze ans, ses parents l’inscrivent au collège municipal à Neuchâtel puis au gymnase. Edouard Jeanmaire se révèle un élève turbulent, c’est pourquoi ses parents l'expédient dans le sévère pensionnat morave de Kornthal en Allemagne de 1862 à 1863. C’est à cette époque qu’il commence à peindre. Sa mère s’en inquiète car elle voit dans la pratique de cet art la perdition de l’âme. Une fois revenu à La Chaux-de-Fonds en 1864, son père le place dans l’atelier de peinture sur émail de Marc Dufaux. Un an plus tard, l’émailleur et son apprenti quittent la cité horlogère pour Genève. Dans la cité lémanique, il fréquente les Beaux-Arts et rencontre son « maître », Barthélemy Menn. Son apprentissage terminé, il reste à Genève, employé chez son ancien patron. En 1869, il part pour Paris, mais il doit revenir rapidement en Suisse à cause de la guerre franco-allemande. En 1870, il participe à l’exposition des Amis des Arts à La Chaux-de-Fonds où une de ses toiles connaît un grand succès. En 1871, il se marie avec Louisa Bugnot. Le jeune couple s’établit à Genève où Edouard Jeanmaire achète une maison qui sera son domicile jusqu’à la fin de sa vie. Louisa décède en 1876. Il se remarie l’année suivante avec Eugénie Laval. Son père décède et Edouard hérite de la maison de la Joux-Perret. Le couple y passe la plupart des étés. Dans les années 1880, il voyage passablement, visitant l’Algérie, la Hollande, l’Egypte et l’Italie. Edouard Jeanmaire est un travailleur acharné, il produit beaucoup : études, peintures, eaux-fortes. Ses œuvres, au début en tous cas, se vendent bien. Il expose régulièrement, à Neuchâtel, à Genève, moins facilement à La Chaux-de-Fonds où son caractère ombrageux lui vaut bien des inimitiés. Ses toiles sont de vrais miroirs du Jura de son époque. Néanmoins, ses œuvres passent un peu de mode dans la seconde moitié de sa vie. Victime sans doute de la photographie, la peinture naturaliste de Jeanmaire est jugée rétrograde par les critiques. Homme de caractère, Edouard Jeanmaire prend position sur plusieurs sujets brûlants de la fin du siècle. Il soutient Emile Zola dans la campagne de réhabilitation du capitaine Dreyfus. Ce soutien lui vaut un message de remerciement de l’écrivain. En 1904, il soutient Charles Naine qui est emprisonné pour avoir refusé de servir. Ses principaux amis sont le docteur Pierre Coullery et Philippe Godet, camarade de classe. Ses œuvres les plus connues sont La sortie de l’étable, L’enterrement à la Joux-Perret, Le calme des pâturages en septembre et Le ranz des vaches.

Helvetiq Swiss-American Edition Launch

noreply@blogger.com (Jf de Buren) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:52:00 +0000

In February of this year my business partner Michael Gaedeke of the Swiss Center Los Angeles had an idea about contacting the inventor of the popular Swiss trivia game Helvetiq, Hadi Barkat and proposing a Swiss-American version. I thought it was a grand idea. Thankfully Hadi did as well.

Little did I know how much work would be involved. In hindsight, I am glad I was blissfully unaware of the late nights of research, and question re-writing.

The Helvetiq Swiss-American Edition launched last week, and am proud of the result. The game demonstrates in a unique way the tremendous impact the Swiss have made on their adopted homeland, and one that I hope Swiss-Americans will embrace.

The trivia cards consist of more than 260 questions, illustrations and photos. Questions cover a wide range of topics including entertainment, history, politics, art, science and food. There is something for everyone in the Helvetiq Swiss-American Edition.

The object of the game is to follow the annual summer ascent route of Swiss cows and to arrive at the top first. You climb the mountain with every correct answer about the Swiss in America. An advanced degree in Swiss-American studies is not needed to play; it’s about fun after all.

The game can be purchased on Amazon.com.