Johann Jacob Frautschi's Wanderbuch, 1905
In 1905 Johann Jacob Frautschi returned to Switzerland for a visit. He traveled
with his brother Christian, sister-in-law Elizabeth, and daughter Cecelia. Johann
recorded his impressions of the journey in his Wanderbuch, a 51-page
journal small enough to place in one's front pocket. The Wanderbuch is usually a work record for a journeyman craftsman, but in this case Johann Jacob seems to have used it mainly a personal diary.
Max Kade Institute has only digital formats of journal, transliterations, and
translations. Original journal is in the possession of Janet Spaeth West; images
courtesy of Ms. West and Rick Frautschi.
Note: Christian also kept a diary of the journey.
The original Wanderbuch
Summary:
Travel journal kept by Johann Jacob Frautschi in his original journeyman record book.
The cover has the following information: Cobbler Johann Jakob Frautschi of Saanen, 18 years of age, five feet two inches (Swiss measure) tall, brown hair, average forehead, blue green eyes, a broad nose, average mouth, pointed chin, oval face. He has two birth marks on his right cheek. This Wanderbuch was issued in Geneva on 12 May 1864.
Text:
Translation of pages 15-28, describing the 1905 trip to Switzerland: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
English summary of the Wanderbuch: 1,
2, 3
Summary and translation: Roger P. Minert, Ph.D.
Commercial use prohibited. Copyright 2005, by the The Board of Regents of the
University of Wisconsin System
Created: 1 April 2005
Comments to: kkurdylo@wisc.edu