Mennonites and Amish in Canada Church Records

Canada Canada Church Records

Mennonites follow the teachings of Menno Simons, after whom the religion is named. He was part of the Anabaptist movement in Germany and Switzerland; his followers could first be found there along the Rhine River and later in Russia, where they were invited to settle in religious freedom by Catherine the Great.

Mennonites have only two sacraments, believers’ baptism and a communion service. Their beliefs encompass a whole way of life which separates them from the world around them. The freedom to praxes this non-violent and separate life is of the greatest importance, and is one reason why so many emigrated to Pennsylvania in the 18th century, where the British government had promised religious tolerance. Following the American revolution numbers of these Pennsylvania Germans (as they were known) came to Upper Canada beginning in 1786. This was partly to escape the new American government’s insistence that they bear arms in defense of the country and partly in protest against new taxation.

There was also the pressure of population growth which put land at a premium. The British government offered them continued religious tolerance in Canada. The largest settlements were in south-central Ontario (Lincoln, Waterloo and York counties) in the 19th century. After the Russian revolution, the toleration promised by Catherine the Great was revoked by the new government, and many Russian Germans emigrated, some to Ontario, but many to western Canada, particularly Manitoba. Families there have been well documented by local histories, often organized by family name, whose thoroughness makes up for the deficiencies of Mennonite church records. There are many sources for background information on the Mennonites.

Mennonite pastors are called bishops and their records are known as bishops’ books. These are regarded as the personal property of the bishop; they go with him as he moves around and follow him into retirement. What happens to them once he dies is a matter for his family to decide.

The result of this is that few 19th century records have survived. Most of those that have consist of baptismal records (not infants) and membership lists, with some marriage records.

Enquiries about Mennonite records should be made to:


 * Mitlion Good Library Milton Good Library and Mennonite Archives of Ontario Conrad Grebel University College University of Waterloo 140 Westmount Rd. N. Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G6 Telephone: (519) 885 0220 ext. 238


 * Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society 600 Shaftesbury Boulevard Winnipeg, Manitoba R3P 0M4 Telephone: (204)669-6575 It has a genealogy button on the home page.


 * Conference of Mennonites in Alberta Henry D. Goerzen Box 7, Site 18, R.R.#1 Didsbury, Alberta T0M 0W0 Telephone: (403) 335-8414


 * Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia Archives 303-32025 Dahlstrom Avenue Clearbrook, British Columbia V2T 2K7 Telephone: (604) 850-6658 Fax (604) 850-9372 Amish

The Amish broke away from the Mennonites in the 17th century to follow the teachings of a man named Ammann. They have continued a very conservative tradition which emphasizes a separation from the rest of society, including dress, the use of modern inventions and new technology. Their religious practices are very similar to the Mennonites, although they often meet in members’ houses rather than in church buildings. Culturally they are still linked to the Mennonites, particularly Old Order, and they often live in the same areas. Their records are also similar.