Family Tree by the Lost Gallery.
Interest in family history has grown in popularity over the last several decades. In fact, in the USA, genealogy is the second most popular hobby after gardening! So what are some of the benefits of uncovering your Mennonite heritage?
Five benefits of uncovering your lineage:
- Enables you to see patterns in family occupations, interests, and activities
- Allows you to celebrate family triumphs and mourn family tragedies
- Gives you a picture of the genetic threads from which you were woven
- Yields insights into what shaped your parents and how that influences you and your family
- Helps you preserve your family history and pass it on to the next generation
Below are some websites that will help you investigate your Mennonite heritage:
• GRANDMA (Genealogical Registry and Database of Mennonite Ancestry) www.grandmaonline.org
• SAGA (Swiss Anabaptist Genealogical Association) www.saga-omii.org
• Find A Grave www.findagrave.com
• Records of Mennonites in Prussia, Russia, Canada and beyond www.mennonitegenealogy.com
• MAID (Mennonite Archival Image Database) https://archives.mhsc.ca/
• Directory of North American Mennonite Historical Agencies
SEE MORE RESOURCES ON OUR WEBSITE.
For the ultimate interactive genealogical experience, why not join one of our Anabaptist or Mennonite Heritage tours?
Upcoming Anabaptist Heritage tours in 2018/2019:
- European Heritage Tour in the Netherlands & Belgium, with Ayold Fanoy, April 23 to May 4, 2018 Who might be interested: Those with Anabaptist ancestors from the Netherlands or who fled to the Netherlands from Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. Relevant for all Anabaptists interested in the origins of the movement.
- Life & Times of Early Anabaptists in Europe, with Ayold Fanoy, June 26 to July 11Who might be interested: Those with Anabaptist ancestors from the Netherlands or who fled to the Netherlands from Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. This tour is relevant for all Anabaptists but especially meaningful for Swiss Mennonites.
- Amish European Heritage Tour, with John Sharp, July 6 to August 3, 2018 Who might be interested: People with Amish roots in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, and Switzerland. People currently living in Amish communities.
- The Mennonite Story in Ukraine (+optional Russia extension) with Leonard Friesen, September 16 to 26, 2018 Who might be interested: People whose ancestors migrated to Ukraine and Russia from Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. This tour is relevant for Russian Mennonites who immigrated to North America in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
- Paraguay & Colombia: Mennonite Stories in South America, with Jack & Irene Suderman, September 17 to 30, 2018 Who might be interested: People whose ancestors migrated from Canada, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and Russia to Paraguay. People who want to interact with the global Mennonite family in Paraguay and Colombia. On Wednesday, March 14 at 12 noon EST, watch a webinar about this tour with tour leader Jack Suderman. REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR.
- Discover Prague & the Mennonite Sojourn in Poland, with John Sharp, May 27 to June 6, 2019 Who might be interested: People whose ancestors migrated to Poland from Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and other parts of Europe. From Poland, many Mennonites migrated to Russia. This tour would be relevant for Russian Mennonites.
Each tour is accompanied by an expert storyteller who can help you learn about the historical context that shaped your ancestors. Plus, you get to travel with other Anabaptists who are enthusiastic about family history. Who knows, you might even discover a distant or not so distant family connection with another tour member!
For more information about one of these tours, contact us at 1-800-565-0451 or office@tourmagination.
We can also plan custom tours for families, schools, churches or other groups who want a particular historical focus.
