Remigius Faesch came from a family that had already been resident in Basel for nine generations at his time. Not only was it deeply rooted in the city, but its branches also extended far and wide. Remigius had two aunts and six uncles, ten brothers and three sisters who, unlike him, all married and had children; he counted no fewer than 19 nieces and 27 nephews among his close relatives.
At that time, however, family meant much more than blood relations. Work was organised in family-like forms; guilds took on welfare tasks for which the state did not yet feel responsible. Knowledge generated a kindred spirit that was also lived out socially. And finally, the artefacts in the museum also took on the name of their founder - they became family members.