This article looks at the professionalisation of institutional translation in multilingual countries in the nineteenth century, i.e. before the first academic training and research institutions were established in the field of translation. First of all, the article presents a case study focusing on the Swiss federal institutions from 1848 to 1914. Several types of sources from digitised public archives are used to examine specifically to what extent, how and why institutional translation became professionalised in that context, and to put together a profile for nineteenth century federal translators. Following this, the findings of the case study are linked with elements of translator history that can be derived from existing research on other multilingual countries. Several thematic clusters are identified which can be suggested as a basis for developing comparative and relational approaches. The article highlights the relevance of such approaches in contributing to a history of translation knowledge and practice, as well as their potential for stimulating theoretical reflection on institutional translation as a professional occupation.