{"id":1827,"date":"2026-05-18T12:25:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T12:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/the-arezen-bonadurers\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T07:57:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T07:57:26","slug":"the-arezen-bonadurers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/the-arezen-bonadurers\/","title":{"rendered":"The Arezen Bonadurers"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\u2014 Home \u00b7 History \u00b7 The Arezen Bonadurers<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Arezen Bonadurers<\/i>.<\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A distinct branch of the family \u2014 rooted in Arezen (Versam, Grisons) since the 17th century. Artisans, church builders, millers: a history preserved in documents and an unusually personal family chronicle. <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n Bandur \u00b7 Summer<\/span>\n \n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n A<\/span>rezen is a place that appears again and again in the records. In 1607<\/strong>, Martin Bonadurer and his son are mentioned in connection with a legal dispute over a path from the Joos farms to the Allmeini or to the alp \u2014 an indication that the Arezen Bonadurers were already independent farmers at that time. \n <\/p>\n\n

\n In the plague year 1629<\/strong>, an elderly Bonadurer died in Arezen. Because of the rampant disease in Valendas, Versam and Fan, he could not be buried in the village \u2014 he was laid to rest in a meadow between Summergad\u00e4 and Wintergad\u00e4. Likely an ancestor of Clas Bonadurer<\/em>, mentioned in 1708. \n <\/p>\n\n

\n Further evidence appears in 1691<\/strong>: J\u00f6ri Bonadurer<\/strong> \u201cfrom Fan\u201d is granted citizenship at the March assembly in Versam for 180 guilders \u2014 a typical process for this far-branching line. And in 1698<\/strong>, Balzer Bonadurer and his brother-in-law Balzer Joos reach an agreement regarding the boundaries of their properties in Arezen. \n <\/p>\n\n \n

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\n The Arezen Bonadurers were always a breed of their own \u2014 rural, headstrong, with their own rights of way and their own Allmeini.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u2014 From family tradition\n <\/p>\n <\/blockquote>\n\n

\n By the carving register of 1704<\/strong> at the latest, the Bonadurers are documented as burgher families in Versam, Arezen and Fan<\/em> \u2014 and in 1711<\/strong> their settlement in all three localities becomes official.\n <\/p>\n\n \n

\n What remains today?\n <\/h3>\n\n

\n The old farmsteads in Arezen are still partly in family ownership. Those who hike up the valley will find the field names again on the map \u2014 and, with a little luck, a carved \u201cB.\u201d at the fountain.\n <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Setting<\/h4>\n\n
\n Hamlet<\/span>\n Arezen<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n Municipality<\/span>\n Versam (Safiental)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n First mention<\/span>\n 1607<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n Settlement<\/span>\n 1711<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n Neighbor<\/span>\n Joos<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
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Notable figures<\/h4>\n\n
\n 1607<\/span>\n Martin Bonadurer+ son<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n 1691<\/span>\n J\u00f6ri Bonadurer<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n 1698<\/span>\n Balzer Bonadurer<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n 1708<\/span>\n Clas Bonadurer<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\u00a7 01 \u00b7 The main line<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cIn der M\u00fclli\u201d and \u201cim Boda\u201d.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The main line, which can be traced back the furthest, leads to the name-bearers still living in Arezen today: \u201cin der M\u00fclli\u201d<\/em> and \u201cim Boda\u201d<\/em>. Their ancestors were repeatedly capable, exceptionally gifted craftsmen \u2014 violins were made in the M\u00fclli in Arezen. <\/p>

The oldest clearly identifiable figure of the main line is:<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Around 1600 \u00b7 Versam<\/p>

Jos Bonadurer<\/p>

Mentioned in 1634 as master builder of the church in Versam \u00b7 Document from 1669 (parchment) from Arezen<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Christian Bonadurer (1914\u20132008) \u00b7 Last Bonadurer in Versam<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u00a7 02 \u00b7 Artisans \u00b7 1600\u20131748<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Church builder, woodcarver, church warden.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In 1634, Jos Bonadurer<\/strong>, born around 1600, is mentioned during the construction of the church in Versam as one of the four responsible master builders. From 1669, a fine parchment document has been preserved: Jos Bonadurer, \u201cresident in Vor\u00e4zen\u201d<\/em>, sells a farmstead in Mareina \u2014 but he himself is still recorded as an adjoining landowner \u201cabove\u201d<\/em>. <\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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His son Johannes<\/strong>, born around 1650, received his training in Munich at a carving or carpentry school. It is possible that Jos sold the Mareina farm to finance his son\u2019s education. Works by Johannes are held in the Rhaetian Museum in Chur. <\/p>

Master Johannes was followed by his son Master Jos Bonadurer (1678\u20131748)<\/strong>. The pulpit in the neighboring municipality of Valendas also dates from him or from his son Hans (born 1707). Upon his death on April 13, 1748, the local pastor Joh. T. Ulricus wrote in the parish register: <\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201c1748, 13 Aprilis \u2014 Master Joos Bonadurer from Ar\u00e4tzen, amicus meus integerrimus<\/em> (my most sincere friend), was buried in the earth, aged 70 years.\u201d <\/p>

Pastor Joh. T. Ulricus (Durisch) of Susch \u00b7 Versam parish register <\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u00a7 03 \u00b7 Family manuscript \u00b7 1707\u20131745<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Hans Bonadurer\u2019s chronicle in his own hand.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Church warden Master Hans Bonadurer<\/strong> (born 1707) married Magdalena Joos from Fan, daughter of Marti Jos and Elsa Bonadurer. On a loose sheet, in a \u201cswift, fine and easily legible hand\u201d<\/em>, he left notes about his family \u2014 a rare, moving document from the 18th century: <\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1707 \u00b7 13th Christmonat<\/p>

\u201cI, Hans Bonadurer, was born into the light of this world\u201d<\/p><\/div>

1718 \u00b7 October 20<\/p>

\u201cmy wife Magdalena Joosy was born\u201d<\/p><\/div>

1729 \u00b7 April 10<\/p>

\u201cmy dear mother Ursula Bonadurery, n\u00e9e Nuttly, died (50)\u201d<\/p><\/div>

1734 \u00b7 March 9<\/p>

\u201cmy wife\u2019s dear father Marty Joos passed away (51)\u201d<\/p><\/div>

1739 \u00b7 June 18<\/p>

\u201cI, Hans Bonadurer, was joined in marriage and blessed with my dear wife Magdalena Joosy\u201d<\/p><\/div>

1743 \u00b7 12th Christmonat<\/p>

\u201cthe dear Lord God blessed us with a young daughter named Ursulla\u201d<\/p><\/div>

1744 \u00b7 February 17<\/p>

\u201cit pleased the dear Lord God to call this dear child back to His grace. May God grant her a joyful resurrection\u201d<\/p><\/div>

1744<\/p>

\u201cHans Bonadurer buys from Michel Buchli, Arezen, \u2018half of a mill\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/div>

1745 \u00b7 April 1<\/p>

\u201cthe dear Lord God has gladdened us with a well-formed son, named Joos\u201d<\/p><\/div>

Handwritten notes by Hans Bonadurer \u00b7 Versam parish registers<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The notes end here \u2014 do they not leave an impression of believing, devout people?<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Original letter from Christian Bonadurer to Roland \u00b7 around 2003<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Christian Bonadurer \u00b7 Versam \u00b7 c. 2003<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u00a7 04 \u00b7 Last Bonadurer in Versam<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Christian Bonadurer, 1914\u20132008.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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At the age of 89, Christian Bonadurer was the last local name-bearer in Versam \u2014 he died in June 2008. He wrote to Roland Bonadurer: <\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cI received your letter about the Bonadurers, and I was very pleased that there are still Bonadurers who continue to research. I cannot say much about the very early times \u2014 here in the municipality of Versam, the place of citizenship of the Bonadurers, at 89 years of age I am the last resident. <\/p>

In the church in Versam, the pulpit was made in 1700 by a Bonadurer. In the kitchen there is an old slate table \u2014 unfortunately without a year \u2014 which was also made by an ancestor from about the same period. <\/p>

My grandfather had 2 brothers: Johannes was a watchmaker and lived in Arezen. Alexander was a turner and made spinning wheels. Jos (Josias), my grandfather, was a teacher \u2014 not for long \u2014 and had his homestead in Arezen.\u201d <\/p>

Christian Bonadurer, Versam \u00b7 Letter to Roland Bonadurer, c. 2003<\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2014 Home \u00b7 History \u00b7 The Arezen Bonadurers The Arezen Bonadurers. A distinct branch of the family \u2014 rooted in Arezen (Versam, Grisons) since the 17th century. Artisans, church builders, millers: a history preserved in documents and an unusually personal family chronicle. Bandur \u00b7 Summer Arezen is a place that appears again and again in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1827","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1827","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1827"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1827\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1832,"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1827\/revisions\/1832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonadurer.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}