The Swiss Anabaptist movement originated in the 16th century. Adherents to any of the Anabaptist faiths were persecuted, and most had fled Switzerland for other parts of Europe by the end of the 17th century. A large number emigrated in the early 18th century to the UK and to North America, seeking religious freedom and better opportunities for their families.

Many of the Swiss Anabaptist families have been documented in a number of well-known genealogical references. These include :

• Davis, Richard Warren (1995) "Emigrants, Refugees and Prisoners"

No, it is not the same.

Your maternal ancestors are all your ancestors on your maternal side, i.e. all your ancestors through your mother.

Your matrilineal ancestors are your ancestors on just one ancestral line - a line which traces through your female ancestors only, and does not include any male ancestors.

To join this project, you must be a descendant of one of the Swiss Anabaptist women via your matrilineal line.

No, it is not the same.

Your paternal ancestors are all your ancestors on your paternal side, i.e. all your ancestors through your father.

Your patrilineal ancestors are your ancestors on just one ancestral line - a line which traces through your male ancestors only, and does not include any female ancestors.

To join this project, you must be a descendant of one of the Swiss Anabaptist men via your patrilineal line.

If you know someone who is a matrilineal descendant of one of the Swiss Anabaptist women, you could encourage them to participate in mt-DNA testing. If they are willing, you could manage the test kit on their behalf.

If you know someone who is a patrilineal descendant of one of the Swiss Anabaptist men, you could encourage them to participate in y-DNA testing. If they are willing, you could manage the test kit on their behalf.

You may wish to join the Swiss Anabaptist FF DNA Project.