Personal tools
You are here: Home Genealogical Resources

Genealogical Resources

Genealogical Resources of Interest to North American Amish & Mennonites

A growing number of resources are available to persons interested in Mennonite family history. Although many ethnic and language groups are part of the Mennonite community in North America, this has only been the case since the 1950s. The immigrants who brought the Mennonite faith to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries originated from the 16th century Anabaptist movement in Europe. One stream originated in Switzerland/South Germany, the other in Netherlands/North Germany.

Many of the Swiss/South German Mennonites immigrated to North America in the 18th and 19th century. Some lived in Pennsylvania for several generations before coming to Canada. Others, like the first Canadian Amish, came directly from Europe. These Mennonites are sometimes popularly called "Swiss" Mennonites.

Many Dutch/North German Mennonites immigrated to Prussia and Russia (present-day Ukraine) before immigrating to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of these Mennonites immigrated again to Mexico in the 1920s; many descendents of this migration returned to Canada in the last quarter of the 20th century. The Mennonites of this heritage are sometimes popularly called "Russian" Mennonites. 

Back to Resources


Canadian Sources


U.S. Sources

Some Mennonite Historical Libraries in the United States have significant genealogical resources of interest to North American Amish &Mennonites. These include:


Amish & Mennonite family names with web sites

Additional submissions to this list are welcome


Last updated 25 February 2008

Document Actions