2026 PalAm National Conference

 Join us for the 2026 Palatines to America National Conference 
 at the DoubleTree Resort Hotel in Lancaster, Pennsylvania 
   June 18-20, 2026 
   
Registration Closes Sun., May 31, 2026!    

* Click Here to Register *
  • Eight presentations by James Beidler, Katy Bodenhorn, Michael Strauss, Lori Leininger Samuelson, Christopher Malone, and Lois Ann Mast covering subjects related to German migration, military service, occupations, Revolutionary War experience, Amish and Mennonite research, and more.
  • Friday night banquet featuring Doug Madenford of PA Dutch Live.
    Doug will be performing his "Ask a PA Dutchman" routine.
  • Optional Bus tour of Lancaster County Amish Country
  • When you register, you'll receive an email confirming your choices along with a link to make reservations at the DoubleTree Hotel at a deeply discounted conference rate.
  • ...and much more!
 
 For directions to the conference, Lancaster research resources
and local info, view/download our...

Conference Resources Guide
  Vendor and Exhibitor Registration is now closed  
We thank the following organizations and individuals for sponsoring the 2026 National Conference:
 
 

Welcome to the Pennsylvania Chapter of Palatines to America
Did your forebears emigrate to Pennsylvania from a German state? Want to learn about those Pennsylvania German immigrants? This is the place for you, whether they arrived in the 18th, 19th, or even 20th century. We offer resource links, webinars, and a surname database. Members can access additional resources, including searchable newsletters back to 1978 and recordings of prior webinars.. 
Why not Join Us?



Upcoming PalAm Programs:
Date Program Presenter
June, 2026 Paltines to America National Conference, June 18-20, 2026 Beidler, Bodenhorn, Samuelson, Strauss, Malone, Mast
May 19, 2026 Researching German Ancestors
in Chester County, Pennsylvania 
Ellen Endslow
August 18, 2026 Evaluating the DNA of Palatine Families – Part 2 Darvin L. Martin
September 16, 2026 Annual Meeting and Fall Webinar Judy G. Russell
October 20, 2026 Tips and Tricks of Deciphering German Handwriting   Katherine Schober
 
See our Events Calendar for details, flyers and registration links for these programs.

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Are you looking for a way to give back or become more involved?
 
We need volunteers!

Click to view our Volunteer Opportunites page to learn how you can help.
Volunteer

Upcoming Events
May 19, 2026
7:00 pm
Researching German Ancestors in Chester County, Pennsylvania
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Ellen Endslow, Director of Collections/Curator at the Chester County History Center in West Chester, PA, will present on how the ...

June 18, 2026
2026 Palatines to America National Conference
The 2026 Palatines to America National Conference takes place at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel in Lancaster, PA June 18-20, 2026. Register by April ...

August 18, 2026
7:00 pm
Evaluating the DNA of Palatine Families – Part 2
This talk continues where our January program left off and will focus on how DNA can be used as a tool to enhance family history. ...

September 26, 2026
1:00 pm
Annual Meeting and Fall Webinar
Judy G. Russell, The Legal Genealogist®, is a genealogist with a law degree who provides expert guidance through the murky territory where law and family history ...

October 20, 2026
7:00 pm
Tips and Tricks of Deciphering German Handwriting
Learn the top tips and tricks for deciphering the old German script! With expert insight on how to easily recognize certain letters, how to tell ...