Pennsylvania Chapter

Palatines to America

Researching All German Speaking Ancestry

Welcome to the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Palatines to America

Helping German Americans Find Their Roots in Germanic Europe

 

The Chapter is interested in hearing from you. Please see and respond to a

Survey sheet.

 

The Chapter has announced that the 30 Years of their Penn Pal newsletters

are now available on CD-ROM. Chapter members for the year 2009-2010 will receive a copy of this CD for free. Others may purchase it for $20.00. See the newsletter section here for more information.

 

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the Palatines to America is a regional German-American genealogical organization. It is a part of the Palatines to America which has seven chapters.

 

The first Germans to come to America as permanent immigrants settled in Pennsylvania at Germantown, now a part of Philadelphia. Later, a small group of Anabaptists (Mennonites) settled near the contemporary town of Strasburg in what has become known as the Pennsylvania Dutch country. (At about the same time, a larger number of Germans settled along the Hudson River.) In Pennsylvania, the early Germans were joined by many fellow countrymen of all religious persuasions. The port of Philadelphia became the major gateway for Germans to enter the Colonies. A large fraction of those entering at Philadelphia remained in Pennsylvania.

 

The Chapter meets twice a year sponsoring speakers who offer insights into the culture of the Pennsylvania Germans as well as matters relating to genealogical research. A newsletter, Penn Pal, is published four times a year.

 

A Surname file is maintained and members may make entries using the instructions given here.  Queries may be published in Penn Pal and a form with guidelines is suggested.

 

The Chapter was formed in 1977 when fourteen people met to organize. The Chapter has grown to about 500 members in 49 states and in six countries outside the U.S. If you are not a member, consult the National organization for

details of membership or print a membership application form here.

Webmaster is John Blankenbaker at <JohnBlankenbaker@verizon.net>

But please insert a “dot” after “John”

Revised 29 July 2010