Anabaptist and Mennonite Genealogy
History, Migrations and Locations Found in Mennonite Ancestry
Mennonites are part of the Anabaptist movement, a religious reform movement that originated in Northern Europe in the 16th century. The principle Anabaptist belief is “believer’s baptism”, voluntary adult baptism instead of infant baptism. Another core Anabaptist belief is pacifism. “Mennonites believe that following Jesus means conducting all relationships in love and truth,” explains Canadian Mennonite University, “and that violence, killing, and war contradict the way of Christ.”
Genealogy and Understanding Anabaptist Differences
If a family has lost or partially-remembered Anabaptist ancestry or connections, a family historian should not assume that branches of the family are or were living in communes with horse-drawn buggies. The Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online lists several distinct groups of Anabaptists, many of whom have splintered into smaller branches.
- Mennonites exist in a variety of different branches and congregations. They are evangelical, pacifist and believe in adult baptism. They may or may not have lifestyle restrictions relating to modern conveniences and dress. “Today, you won’t recognize most Mennonites by how they dress,” explains the Mennonite Church of Canada.
- The Amish are an Anabaptist group that includes the Old Order Amish, a group that refuses electricity, telephones and modern dress. Other Amish groups include New Order Amish, Beachy Amish and Amish Mennonites. These groups have different policies on the use of modern conveniences.
- Hutterites grew out of an Austrian branch of Anabaptism. They live in closed communes, mostly in the Canadian Prairies and the US Midwest. They favor a traditional dress code and lifestyle but use modern vehicles and machinery.
Mennonite Ancestry in Europe
The Anabaptist movement has its origins in Switzerland. Menno Simons, the Anabaptist leader from whom the Mennonites take their name, was a Dutch priest. Mennonite congregations formed in Switzerland, Holland and Germany but also moved around Europe due to religious persecution. In the first few centuries of Anabaptism, Mennonite communities could be found in the following countries and regions:
- Switzerland
- Holland
- Alsace / Lorraine
- Prussia
- Danzig
- Poland
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Galicia
- Volhynia
Mennonite Ancestry in North America
In the 19th century many Mennonites faced restrictions against their way of life, especially in Russia and Prussia, and immigrated to North America for new opportunities. Most of these immigrants came from colonies in Russia and Poland and are known as “Low German” Mennonites. After World War I and World War II, even more Mennonites left Europe for the Americas. Mennonite settlements in the Americas in the 20th century include:
- California
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Nebraska
- Pennsylvania
- Ohio
- Washington
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Mexico
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
- Brazil
- Argentina
Mennonite Genealogy Resources in North America
North American Mennonites and genealogists with Mennonite ancestry have created several resources for researchers looking to trace Mennonite family history. A genealogist can find information on his or her North American Mennonite ancestry as well as information about international migrations that occurred in a family history.
Learn the History Behind Anabaptist Ancestry
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