David H. Sutton is the author of Helvetia

David H. Sutton is a native of Helvetia, West Virginia. He received his bachelor's degree from Davis & Elkins College and Masters in History from West Virginia University. He currently makes his home in New Hampshire.

As a native of Helvetia, how did your authoring the history of your hometown affect your perceptions of heritage?
I had been steeped in the Swiss German heritage since I was a child, but the research really put it in context for me and gave me the bigger picture. I became very aware of how difficult and dangerous the 19th Century Atlantic migration had been for many immigrants and how strong and determined my ancestors had been. I also had a first-hand experience of the Americanization process and how that affects the perception and understanding of one's ethnic heritage.

What motivated you to compose such an exhaustive treatment of your hometown?
It began as a "simple" oral history project, hoping to save the memories of a generation of older Helvetians in the 1980s. However, as I got into it, I became very excited, not only by people's enthusiasm, but by the photographs and written records that were surfacing. One thing led to another until finally 10 years later we had the first edition of the community history weaving together all the research up to that point.

How did your background in historical study affect the way you approached the topic?
I approached the topic not just as a historian, but as a sociologist which was my under-graduate training. I wanted to know not just what happened, but why and what it meant to the people living during that time. I wanted to know what made this community of Swiss German immigrants tick, what their experience was.... how they completely recreated their lives in a foreign land. It was really fun!

What broader historical contexts does Helvetia, as a micro-history, most connect with?
The broader context is the Great Atlantic Migration of the 19th century, and then more specifically, Swiss immigration to the States and to the Appalachian region.

What research materials did you collect and study while writing?
I collected everything I could get my hands on from family photos, oral history accounts, written records, and even Swiss documents. I learned German and spent a summer in Switzerland researching the archives there. Lots of good stuff turned up.

How long did it take for you research and write Helvetia?
From start to finish it was about 10 years. That included grad school and writing my MA thesis on Helvetia.

What difficulties did you encounter during the writing process?
I had collected so much the biggest task was condensing and weaving the material into a coherent, readable narrative. At this point, c. 1984, I had no computer and was typing the text on a small, home typewriter. It seems archaic now!

What satisfaction have you derived from addressing such a personal topic?
There have been many satisfactions. Helvetia is a unique and interesting community worthy of having its story told in detail and with accuracy. It was truly a piece of community service for me. Seeing how all these families I knew as a child wove into the tapestry of this little town was fascinating and often nostalgic. To have a lasting record of all that is very satisfying to me.

Do you have any other projects in the works?
No new projects, but this one feels very complete!