German family of masons and builders, active also in Austria and Switzerland. The Thumb family of masons recorded in Schwaz (Tyrol) during the 16th century were probably related to the Thumb family established in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg from the mid-17th century, but this remains unproven. The founding father of the Vorarlberg branch of the family in Au-Argentau and later in Bezau was Peter Thumb I, who became a master mason c. 1635-40. His sons (1) Michael Thumb and (2) Christian Thumb worked in the building sector, as did their respective sons (3) Peter Thumb II and Kaspar Thumb (1686-1762). The latter's grandson Johann Baptist Thumb (1760-1819) worked as a building inspector in Altdorf-Weingarten. There were several intermarriages between the Thumb family and the Beer and Ehrat families, who were master builders. The most important members of the Thumb family were (1) Michael Thumb and (3) Peter Thumb II.
See the Abbreviations for further details.
