Genealogy
Getting Started
GRanDMA Online
The Genealogical Registry and Database of Mennonite Ancestry (GRanDMA) is an extensive genealogical resource focused on the ancestry of Mennonite and Hutterite communities. Available through a paid subscription, GRanDMA offers users access to a vast collection of records and data that traces the lineage of these communities, particularly those originating from Prussia (now modern-day Poland) and South Russia (now Ukraine).
Kanadier Mennonites
Guide: Kanadier Mennonite Sources, 1874-1921
Once you’ve identified early Kanadier Mennonite ancestors who emigrated to Manitoba between 1874 and 1880, it’s possible to obtain detailed information about them, including images of relevant records. This guide, developed by Glenn Penner, is an essential resource if you’re exploring Kanadier Mennonite ancestry, outlining a variety of records available between the 1870s and 1920s. It provides instructions on how to access these files online or locate them in-person.
Kanadier Mennonite Immigration Records
Kanadier Mennonite Church Records
If you’re researching the Kanadier Mennonites who settled in Manitoba between 1874 and 1880, church records are an invaluable resource. A composite index of heads of household is available for the Bergthal, Chortitzer, Reinlaender, Sommerfelder, and Kleine Gemeinde. These records offer detailed insights into early Mennonite communities, helping you trace family lineages while understanding the religious and social structures that shaped these communities.
Kanadier Mennonite Homestead Files
The homestead files of Kanadier Mennonites who settled in Manitoba between 1874 and 1880 are essential for understanding their experience in Canada. Each head of household who arrived during this period applied for a homestead, and these records can include extensive details about the people, buildings, and land.
Russlaender Mennonites
Russlaender Mennonite Immigration Records
This page offers a growing collection of translated applications and passenger lists related to the emigration of Mennonites from the Soviet Union in the 1920s, primarily to Canada and Latin America.
General Sources
Mennonite Archival Information Database
The Mennonite Archival Information Database (MAID) is a discovery platform for searching Mennonite archives across multiple institutions. With contributions from fifteen archival partners, MAID offers a centralized collection of records and images, enhancing the ability to conduct comprehensive research on Mennonite history. This database is an vital tool if you’re searching for archival materials, photographs, and detailed descriptions from a wide array of Mennonite archives.
Archival Terms and Definitions
Mennonite Obituary Indexes
Our Mission
We seek to foster an understanding of and respect for the history and beliefs of the Mennonite people in the past and present, and to challenge them to give new expression to this heritage in the future.
Support Our Efforts
Help celebrate and preserve the Mennonite story, ensuring our history is passed on to the next generation.