Are there Palatines in your tree? Post here to join the Palatine Migration Project.

+47 votes
9.3k views

 The Palatine Migration Project aims to add and improve WikiTree content regarding emigrants from German-speaking Europe from 1700 until the American Revolution. These people were known colloquially as Palatines regardless of what part of German speaking Europe was their homeland. The Project coordinates the activities of WikiTreers who have Palatine migrant ancestors and/or would like to improve Palatine profiles.

Project members contribute in a variety of ways, through working on family groupings, cleaning up profiles, adding sources, merging duplicates and ensuring that the profiles reach the best standard possible. They also offer assistance to others working on Palatine profiles wherever possible.

If you would like to join the project we would love to have you.

Please post an answer below including your research interests and what you would like to work on.

Make sure to click the ANSWER button, rather than the comments, so we are sure to see your request!  

WikiTree profile: Palatine Migration WikiTree
in Requests for Project Volunteers by Dave Rutherford G2G6 Pilot (127k points)
My mother's family has Mennonite roots in the Palatine on both her mother and father's sides.   They fled religious persecution in Switzerland and found it for a while in Germany. William Penn convinced them to come to the colony of Pennsylvania.  But then Penn died and they faced ethnic discrimination in Pennsylvania by the English governor as well.
Hi I am introducing myself to the project -my name is Branwen Temple- I am a descendant of Johann Conrad Weiser and Straub- also Burkhard Moser. And through my maternal line, Libor Winter through my paternal grandmother- all from Pennsylvania.I'd say 75% of my roots coming into the US were through this migration. I would love to do more research with it as I have spent hours on research already and I absolutely can't stop! I have built a tree of 11,000 on Ancestry that started with Straub and I ran into some dead ends that were very frustrating -because I knew there was so much more to discover. Anne Boleyn who is my 22 degree connection on the Temple side of my family comes around with that through genealogy -its facinating!- I am comfortable with German research, places and names-and I want to go further with my own-
Hi Branwen,

I'll add the project badge to your profile and contact you with further details.
Dave,

It appears Mary Grubs (Grubb), is part of the "Palatine" migration and is also 4th or 5th Great Grandmother.

Douglas Duggar
Hi Douglas,

If you are interested in contributing to our project, please send me a private message and I'll get you set up.

Dave
I am Jeffrey Rudd, great-grandson of Engelbert Dold.

Born in Freiburg, Breisgau, BadenWürttemberg, Germany.

Died on October 24th 1925 in Belleville, Saint Clair, Illinois, U.S.A.
Hi Jeffrey,

The Palatine Migration Project focuses on German immigration in the 18th century, prior to the American Revolution.

Your ancestor arrived too late for this project, but you could contact the Germany Project.
I have a lot of German ancestors who have sort of attestation that they participate in the revolutionnary war

But I am so bad at looking in United States registries.
I think I would need a course on this
Are you interested in joining the project?
Actually, I have a lot of Palatine in my ancestors...
I would like to understand more of their stories

What made them move to Scotland and United States

But I just don't understand how you can do the research without mixing things up, when you don't speak or read the langage and you don't have the mother's maid name

If someone can teach me how to do it, I can try
I'll send you a private message.

Danke ! smiley

284 Answers

+10 votes
My 7th great-grandfather was Lorentz Merkel (Merkel-168). I'm actually connected to him through his grandson James (Merkel-59) and through his grandson Frederick (Merkel-56).

Through Frederick, I descend through his daughter, Mary (Miracle-83) and his son, Andrew (Miracle-62).

Through Andrew (Miracle-62, I descend through his daughter, Julia (Miracle-41) and daughter, Sarah (Miracle-49).

I know, I know, I don't have a family tree, I have a twisted ficus. If you think this is bad, you should see my Wilder line where I connect to my fifth great grandfather, Joseph Wilder, five different ways. (Mother's parents were third cousins.)
by Rene Thompson G2G6 (8.4k points)
Hi Rene,

I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
+10 votes
I am a descendent of Johann Adam Hoff b. November 24,1678 who sailed on the ship “Fame” in 1710 to New York and settled in Livingston Manor. There has been some confusion as there are two Johann Adam Hoffs being attributed to Johann Daniel Hoff and Anna Catharina Fischer. The Hoffee History claims Johann Adam b. 1704 was born to Daniel and Anna in Friedelsheim as an only child when they were in their 40’s. Adam sailed on the ship “Joyce” in 1730 and went to PA. The Cornelius Hoff Ancestry claims Daniel and Anna had Adam in 1678 as well as other children. The Hoffee History claims a Johann Adam with birth date November 24, 1678 being born to Daniels older brother Tonges and his wife Johanna Margaretha. Trying to find who is definitively the father of Adam so I will know which one of the sons of Anthonius Hoff is my ancestor.
by Chris Hoff G2G1 (1.2k points)
Hi Chris,

Both Johann Adam's should be part of the project. I'll see that they're added. And I've added the project badge to your profile. I'll contact you with further details.
Hi Chris, I've added a great deal of info about Johann Adam Hoff (Hunter Lists #311) found in "The Palatine Families of New York."  According to this, Johann Adam was the illegitimate son of Johann Daniel Hoff and Anna Catharina Fisher, baptized 24 Nov 1678.  His father Daniel later married Maria Veronica Unknown, and had children who were sponsored by members of the Tönges Hoff family--Tönges being a son of Adam's cousin Andreas (Hunter Lists #312)
+9 votes
My family has Palatine roots in three of our four parents.  Surnames include Hershock, Stauffer, Stoner, Dombach, Gerlach, Herr, Mylin, Kendig, Funk, and Brenneman.  Would like to get granular on the families involved.  Would also like advice on Hershock family roots in Europe.  John was born in 1799 to Emma and Albert.  I can find nothing past them.
by Bruce Hershock G2G Crew (470 points)
Hi Bruce,

Welcome to WikiTree. In order to join the project please complete the process of becoming a WikiTree Genealogist by signing the Honor Code. Once you have done that, contact me and I will be happy to add you to our project.
+9 votes
Although I have yet to find Palentine ancestors, I would love to take part in the project. My paternal grandfather's family migrated from Germany in the 1800s and 1700s to California, and may have connections to the Palentine migrants.
by Rosie Blanckenburg G2G5 (5.3k points)
Hi Rosie,

It looks like your Blanckenburg's immigrated too late to be part of our project, but maybe you'll discover that one of your other lines do qualify. But this is not required to take part in the project.

I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
+8 votes
Yes. John Shuford
by Kris Sandstrom G2G Crew (960 points)
Hi Kris,

I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
+8 votes
I have Palatines in my mother's ancestors that came from Germany, Alsace Lorraine, and Switzerland. I've done lots of searching and collecting of her family and use Ancestry and Family Search to keep track of my work. I know I need to learn more and hope to share and learn about them more on WikiTree. I haven't entered all their information yet but one line connects to Johann Jacob Faust and Fronica Kaufman. When I tried to download my GED.com file the program said it was too large so I'm breaking it all down and adding a little at a time. This is actually ok because I have to make sure sources are attached.
by Bette Flaningan G2G Crew (430 points)
Hi Bette,

I agree that GED.com's are tricky. I eventually abandoned using them to import anything and found it just as quick to enter everyone manually.

I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
I found a way to find ancestors from Family Search and link them  to my WikiTree. Sometimes there are minor but significant differences even when I know the persons match. When I do this is  there something that shows those differences?
+8 votes
I, too, have Palatine immigrants that settled in Pennsylvania.  Umberger is the surname of my ancestors that immediately came to mind.
by Melanie Gearhart G2G Crew (720 points)
Hi Melanie,

I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
Dave,

Thank you and Happy Holidays!
+6 votes
I'm not sure.  I am just now extending my connections into the past.  I suspect that I have Palatine ancestors but I'm not there yet.  Good luck to the Group!
by Robert Clark G2G6 Pilot (949k points)
Hi Robert,

Let me know if you are interested in joining us.
+8 votes
Hi,  I have several 1710 German Immigrants.  Would love to be a part of this group.  The ones I have discovered are: Ludolf Korsing and wife Otilla Freundt, Thomas Shoemaker, Warner Deichert and wife Anna C Ahl.  I hope to discover information on them, as well as others.  Thank you!   Lorrie Farris Katelman
by Lorrie Katelman G2G Crew (440 points)
Hi Lorrie,

Welcome to WikiTree. In order to join the project please complete the process of becoming a WikiTree Genealogist by signing the Honor Code. Once you have done that, contact me and I will be happy to add you to our project.
+8 votes
Hi Dave,

Related through Garret Delmage - Germany -> England -> Ireland -> Mauritius -> India -> Scotland - itchy feet!

John
by J B G2G Crew (880 points)
Welcome to the project. I'll get you set up and contact you via PM.
+8 votes
I am interested in following this project.  My immigrant Palatine ancestors were Wintersteins and Engels.  It seems they immigrated in arund the 1720's and moved into New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania areas.  Immigrant Winterstein was Johann Wilhelm Winterstein circa 1683-1758 married to Anna Elisabeth (last name unknown) b c1684.  Their son Jacobus Christian Winterstein c.1708-1780 married Antje Maria Engel c. 1711-1758. She was the daughter of Johann Wilhelm Engel c. 1683-1758 and Juditha Wienen c. 1758-?  My Winterstein line from Jacobus C. and Antje was to Jacob b. 1744 New Jersey - d.1827 Pennsylvania;   Jacob Winterstein b 1781 New Jersey - d.1828 York County, Upper Canada;  Joseph Davis Winterstein b. 1813 York County, Upper Canada - d. 1897 Scott Twp. York County, Ontario. Joseph Davis Winterestein and his wife Jemima Wasly were my 2nd Great Grandparents.
by Ann Richardson G2G1 (1.3k points)
Hi Ann,

Looks like Jacobus and Antje are already in the project, although spelled with the "steen" rather than the "stein".

I've added the badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
+8 votes
Hi,

I'd like to merge in my branches that appear to be part of this migration, such as the Reeds (many variations) that came through New York to Pennsylvania to Wisconsin. I look forward to working with you all.

-Christie
by Christie Hughes G2G1 (1.1k points)
Hi Christie,

I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
+8 votes
Hi!

I have at least one ancester, Ulrich Hornli (Hernley) who emigrated from Switzerland and landed in Philadelphia Sept. 26, 1737. In 1759 this Ulrich Horn, or Hernley as he was afterwards known, secured from the Penn family patents to 174 acres of the present Hernley homestead.

I am also discovering that several of the ancestors of my wife are also Palatine immigrants. I look forward to finding out more about them!

Vince Hernly
by Vince Hernly G2G6 Mach 1 (10.3k points)
Hi Vince,

I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
+8 votes
I have some people with the surname Pallant - the nearest being my paternal grandmother. We are not sure where the name comes from; some say it is from a palatinate around Chichester Cathedral. However there are Pallants and Pallandts in other parts of Europe. I don't know whether the surname Pallant has anything to do with the German Palatinate you mean. I'd like to know more.

Judith Christine Pallant Sidaway
by Judith Brooksbank G2G6 Mach 1 (16.9k points)
Hi Judith,

I'll contact you by private message.
Thank you, Dave.
+8 votes
I've researched many ethnic ancestries in my tree over the last 50 years, but discovering the possibility of my having a Palatine emigrant will be a new direction for me. It almost sounds like the German equivalent to having a Smith in your family, search the ancestry I have a brick wall with is a Hofman, Catharina Hofman (Hofman-1263). She married into my Oosterhout family in Ulster County, New York, a couple of decades before the Revolutionary War.
by Geoff Oosterhoudt G2G6 Mach 1 (18.2k points)
Hi Geoff,

I'll send you a message with further details.
+8 votes
Hi I have a ton of Palatine ancestors and would like to participate. Thank you.
by Edward Flotte G2G Crew (440 points)
Hi Edward,

I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
+8 votes
I'm interested in joining the project. I am working on building the profiles for my Cookingham, Pultz, Shultis, Ringsdorf (etc) families, who settled in Dutchess, Ulster, and Columbia Counties, New York. They intermarried and maintained ties of friendship across all three counties. My grandmother told me that her grandfather, who died in 1900, still spoke with a German accent, even though his ancestors came to NY in the early 1700's!
by Kathleen Tesluk G2G6 (6.4k points)
Hi Kathleen,

I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
+8 votes
Hello. After finding my 6th GGF, Leonhardt Schlosser (and his brother, Peter), were on Ship Dragon to Philadelphia, PA in 1732, I have been interested in learning more about the Palatinate region in Germany and the migration to US, namely Pennsylvania. I enjoy finding older references that detail the life and experiences of not only the German Palatinates but also what it was like as an early PA settler and interactions with the indigenous tribes and other early settlers of the 1600-1700's. I would be interested in helping with this project. Thank you.
by Living Sabo G2G Crew (440 points)
Welcome to WikiTree. I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.
+8 votes
I recently learned about my grandfather John George Hoffman and the Palantine  Migration.  I am wanting to learn more about this line.  I was born a Huffman but understand the spelling changed when the family came to America.
by Doulgas Brent Sweet G2G Crew (440 points)
Hi Douglas,

Welcome to WikiTree! Once you've completed your registration as a Wiki Genealogist by signing the Honor Code, let me know and I'll add you to our project.
+8 votes
I have several Palatine ancestors who immigrated to Philidelphia, and I have always had an interest in Palatine immigration. I would like to work on family groupings, merging profiles- whatever I find a need for during the process.
by Stephanie Dwyer G2G1 (1.3k points)
Hi Stephanie,

I've added the project badge to your profile and I'll contact you with further details.

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