Palatines to America - German Genealogy Society
Researching German Speaking Ancestors
PALATINES TO AMERICA (Pal Am) is a national genealogical society of persons researching German-speaking ancestry, with emphasis on migration from the Germanic regions of Europe to North America (primarily the United States and Canada). Most of these immigrants were from Germany, but there was also a significant number from other areas of Europe including Switzerland, Austria, France, Poland, and other countries. Most came to the Americas directly from their native country, but some spent time (sometimes several generations) in other places in Europe, including Ireland, England, Russia and several other countries. Thirty-five years ago the founders of Palatines to America were all descendants of immigrants from the Palatinate (Pfalz) area in Germany. Because of that, the name Palatines to America was chosen as a distinctive name for the group. For more information on the Palatinate and the Palatines, click here. Now our membership includes people who have ancestors from all German-speaking areas.
PALATINES TO AMERICA was founded at Columbus, Ohio, 12 July 1975. Beginning with a nucleus of 47 from throughout the U.S., the society now has over 2,000-members. It is incorporated as a non-profit organization under an Ohio Charter, and, along with its conforming Chapters, is an approved charitable organization under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
The PURPOSE of this society is to promote the study of Germanic immigration to North America, to publish information of general interest, and to provide a means for members to exchange information and share research.
MEMBERSHIP is open to anyone interested in the aims of the society. Current members include hobbyists, professional genealogists and other researchers who may be experts in particular fields, geographical areas, or time periods. These members may advise you on correspondence with European sources, or assist you by sharing their knowledge of books, periodicals, detailed maps, archives, libraries, and other resources. Some of the professional genealogists may give particular attention to the needs of other members. Please visit our Membership page for details on the benefits of membership.
An ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE is held in June. Speakers, seminars, resource persons, and fellowship with other members fill two or more days.
An ANNUAL NATIONAL MEETING is held in conjunction with the conference, with reports from officers and committees and election of officers.
CHAPTERS are organized to encourage personal participation, to make possible more fellowship, and to provide easy access to local workshops and research within an area. Most chapters publish a newsletter, print publications, and hold conferences, workshops, and seminars. Currently, Palatines to America has chapters in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
PROJECTS
- THE IMMIGRANT ANCESTOR REGISTER - Members find and report their immigrant ancestors and family members. This information is filed for periodic publication in The Palatine Immigrant.
- ANCESTOR CHARTS - Members may submit their ancestry as far back as possible on a series of charts. Publication of indices to these charts is an on-going project. Searches of the more than 120,000 names are available through our Members Section or at the Pal Am Headquarters in Columbus, Oh by appointment only.
PUBLICATIONS
- The Palatine Immigrant This journal is published quarterly. It contains articles relating to the life and times of the immigrants and their European ancestors. There are also articles about research methods and resources, reviews of current publications, as well as records of members immigrant ancestors.
- The Palatine Patter This newsletter is published four times each year. It contains information about national and regional activities of the society, and other groups of interest. FREE QUERIES are published for members in the newsletter. (Queries are not accepted from non-members.) Our Queries database index can be searched online. Click here.
- Other Publications of the national society can be found in our online bookstore. Click here for a complete listing of publications available from Palatines to America.
Pal Am’s Publications page will give specifics on the periodicals and how to submit articles.
Chapter Publications Most chapters publish a newsletter for all members of the chapter. Other publications vary from among the respective chapters. Contact the individual chapter for contact information.
If you have questions about Palatines to America, please write to us or e-mail us.