The Pennsylvania forebay barn is thought to be from Switerland, but the "Pennsylvania Dutch" German-Americans usually get the credit for building them just like H-bent framing is usually credited to the Dutch when this type of carpentry may have originated in Germany and was used by Germans and English in America.
I know little about Swiss framing so I can thank you for bringing the subject up and await other responses.
Just in case you are not aware, below is a resource for joinery found in States. Jack Sobon is still collecting unrecorded joints and has at least a dozen more to add to a future edition.
http://www.tfguild.org/joinery/part2.pdfThis is only part of the book, which is well worth buying in the Guild store.
Jim
