10 Unusual Amish Communities

Each of these 10 Amish communities has something that makes it unusual or unique. There are around 600 Amish communities in the world - and many different ways of being Amish.
My name is Erik Wesner and I'm not Amish. Back in 2004, I met the Amish by accident...while selling books door-to-door. Since then, I've visited over 5,000 Amish homes, and dozens of Amish communities. I write about the Amish at amishamerica.com/
Image credits: David Arment, Jim Halverson, Se Yim (Milverton Amish), Don Burke (www.flickr.com/photos/ozarkin..., S.I.
Articles cited:
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"Odle-ay-ee-oo! Amish in rural US hold tight to Swiss traditions" by Kevin Williams, Aljazeera America
america.aljazeera.com/articles...
"Amish expand in South America, Canada" by Mark Scolforo, The Associated Press
www.arkansasonline.com/news/2...
Videos I mentioned:
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The 6 Amish Buggy Colors
• The 6 Amish Buggy Colors

[@normmyers4337]

I appreciate how you tell it the way it is without putting the Amish in a bad light.

[@shibolinemress8913]

From a purely linguisic perspective, I'd love to see a meet-up between Old Colony Mennonites, Amish, Swiss Amish, Hutterites, and speakers of Texas German, Yiddish and modern Standard German, just to see how the dialects have diverged and to what degree they're still mutually intelligible, if at all.

[@devoe365]

From my experience with Hutterites and Old Colony Mennonites, they don’t really understand each other.

[@Petra44YT]

Let me just say, I'm German, and I can hardly understand anything the Amish say! Swiss German is easier. Pennsylvania Dutch is on the same level of difficulty as Yiddish - there are some words you understand, and others with a completely different meaning.

[@Storm-ol7kh]

Texas German? Wow, interesting, never hear of it

[@shibolinemress8913]

@@Storm-ol7kh Sadly it's been dying out since WW2. I think it's mostly spoken by older folk around the Fredericksburg area. As I've heard, the settlers came from several areas all over Germany, so the dialects mixed and mellowed over time. Many German KZbinrs I've heard say it's one of the easier diaspora dialects to understand. As an American living in Germany, I find it quite fun to listen to.

[@alexk7973]

Also standard German speaker here. I‘ve seen some videos on Texas German and found it very intelligible. I agree with Petra, that Pensylvania Dutch is in no way intelligible to me. Then again, you also have to look at the different regional dialects that exist still to some degree all over Germany today (though everyone understands and speaks „high German“ also) and the regions the diaspora German groups came from, as back then regional accents would have been even more pronounced and it‘s unlikely „high German“ would have been used by them in their daily conversational language. I believe the Texas Germans mostly came from the Hamburg area, the Amish mostly from Switzerland and Southern Germany, the Hutterites from Austria and the wider Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even if all of these communities had simply kept their original accents, I personally would understand only about 10% of what they were saying, except for perhaps the Texas Germans again.

[@constancemcguire5870]

I live in Dover and I experience the Amish culture on a daily bases. I am a school driver for 4 families of Amish children. I also drive local shopping trips. I have learned a lot about the Amish culture. I respect their culture but I was shocked to learn how educated the Amish are. Not just academically but they are uneducated about the world around them. For example I was talking with a women in her 40's and she knew nothing about the 9/11 attacks. Maybe life is better that way.

[@Holly-ro3yq]

I'm curious why some do not use the enclosed buggy. Just below Dover there are quite a few Amish. The local Walmart has places for the Amish to park their buggies & horses. They are particularly enclosed.

[@lisacraze1]

I've really enjoyed all your videos. I've been fascinated by Amish culture since living in Ohio in the 1990's. I would regularly travel to Holmes County to escape the big city - and to connect with the simple beauty and grace of their way of life. Thank you for taking the time and care to share what you have learned. I also appreciate that you are so respectful of their culture.

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks, Lisa! Holmes County is a special place

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

@@AmishAmerica Hi :) May I ask what your background and denomination/religion is? I'm interested bc. you sell bibles (some kind of illustrations, if I got that right..) and talk so respectfull about them, in no way contemptuous or dismissive.. ☆♡

[@Corgis175]

Also there is a community in Chihuahua, Mexico.

[@judyimel5697]

I. Am. Thankfully. Of you sharing. With us

[@corkjv]

I grew up Amish in Garnett ks. Yes they are allowed to drive company vehicles

[@tinaguzik4301]

Did you live in Garnett or Mount Ida?

[@rebeccaromig2561]

Garnett kid here also.

[@rebeccaromig2561]

​@@tinaguzik4301I grew up in Garnett. Knew Troyers and Yoders. Good solid people.

[@tinaguzik4301]

@@rebeccaromig2561 My brother had the skating rink in Garnett. He still lives there.

[@rebeccaromig2561]

@@tinaguzik4301 from 40 years ago?

[@nuclearrabbit1]

I'm native to Central Kansas. The Yoder Amish folks nearby are very nice and use some powered tools in their work. In fact, they are the best in the area if you need some machinist type work done.

[@rebeccaromig2561]

Garnett kid here. 🤘

[@kaitlynnetanner2811]

Really enjoyed this! I'm from Kansas and there's a pretty decent Amish and Old Order Mennonite population where I am - Garnett is about 3 hours south of me.

[@kzeb245]

I didn’t know we had a Amish settlement here in Dover. They must not venture out much. Thank you for this video i love this series

[@AnneS508]

Really enjoyed! As I live in Ontario, it was great to see Milverton and Aylmer featured. I live about an hour away from Aylmer. I would love it if you could do a longer video on the Amish in Canada!

[@gogo-word]

3 years ago Amish people moved into my area. Now many families are here with new homes and barns and a school that all were erected in the blink of an eye. They wave and are friendly. I'm new here too so its nice. They are the strict Amish with no power lines, no phones, and in summer the children don't bother with shoes. A Mennonite group lives about 25 miles east of me. A few years ago the group split in half. Half wanted nothing to do with the Internet while the others refused to give their computers up. Mennonite here drive, have power, and one woman was dating an 'English' friend of my uncle.

[@kimfleury]

I know about the Ohio Amish community that permits members to travel by air! I've mentioned before about that KZbinr who interviews people in little-known or "hidden" communities . I He's called Peter, I think his last name is something like Santorelli, maybe Santorello, something like that. He interviewed members of an Amish community who invited him to stay with them. It was that very same Ohio community. Some of the relatives of the family he stayed with take regular missionary trips to South America. Anyone who's interested in further knowledge about this unusual community might wish to search for Peter's KZbin channel and look for his trip to Ohio Amish country.

[@1951kvk]

My paternal grandmother's family moved from PA to Ontario where she was raised Amish. She left to marry and she spoke Pennsylvania Dutch around the house.

[@AmishAmerica]

Neat, there is something special about living in a 2-language household - probably about the easiest way to learn a second language is to grow up with two of them :)

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

The last (10th) example was quite amazing, it gave me goosebumps. ♡

[@williambrownjr2346]

As someone who lives in the Kansas and travels often to central Missouri , I know there is a fairly sizeable community of Amish/Mennonites in central Missouri. Specially north of Lake of the Ozarks and past Columbia, Mo. Since I live in Kansas (Greater KC area), south of Salina, KS is a community with many having the the last name, Yoder which is near Lindsborg, KS , an original Swiss settlement in Central Kansas.

[@rebeccaromig2561]

Troyer and Yoder are heavy through Anderson County,Ks. We used to visit them and buy milk, peaches, other things I can't recall.

[@frankb389]

Do a video on 1. Community interaction, like how some Amish run with Volunteer fire company's, issues with the community such as buggy accidents (one lust happened in PA this week) and basic history of the Amish, (self exiled from Switzerland/Southern Germany for religious reasons)

[@TableForOne1976]

As a resident of Aylmer, Ontario, I love that you know how to pronounce it. Folks who aren’t from here often pronounce it the way it is spelled. 🙂

[@lukassvitek1432]

Great channel! Been interested in Amish for a long time, glad I found your content

[@AmishAmerica]

I'm also glad you came across it Lukas!

[@cherylT321]

This content suddenly popped up on my feed; I’m not sure why, but I have been enjoying the videos!

[@DarDarBinks1986]

As a Delawarean, I'm glad to see my home state get a shoutout here. The only times I've encountered Amish people, however, were either during the summer tourist season or at flea markets.

[@AmishAmerica]

I enjoyed visiting your state's one community a good while back. Also have heard Spence's Bazaar is a popular place for Amish vendors though I didn't have a chance to stop in

[@DarDarBinks1986]

@@AmishAmerica I've never stopped at any Amish vendors. Would like to sometime, though.

[@takethestagelv202]

So interesting! So glad I found you. I have dear friends that are Mininites. Wonderful people. I am so fascinated by the lifestyle and culture. Thank you for the education. God bless!

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

there are many amish/ menonite communities in europe ..many are called hutterites.. we work in switzerland, n italy and austria

[@michelledee9304]

We do love the Pathway books. I used them while homeschooling my children and read them aloud to children during children's church. We are Baptist.

[@samspade4634]

Erik, thanks for sharing. I know for a fact that some Beachy Amish in Ohio drive cars as well. Imagine my surprise when an Amish gentleman I was to meet and discuss the Amish faith, I was shocked when he pulled up driving a BMW. While I enjoy the simple lifestyle, it also has it's problems like every other religious group. Great video.

[@AmishAmerica]

That makes an impression no doubt. I guess within the Old Order Amish it is more difficult to tell status by material things (at least when you meet an Amishman out in public - some Amish have pretty fancy houses reflecting business wealth). Glad you liked the video and found the channel here.

[@thehangmansdaughter1120]

Those meeting houses remind me of the Quaker meeting house down the road from me growing up. I went along a couple of times, it was very different than going to Mass!

[@madlogsiso]

Please do a video about the Amish dog kennels

[@monicatalbett4289]

Should do more on Delaware. Sooo much misinformation about the Dover Amish. Twice now iv got recommendations for contractors that ended up being Amish.

[@beckyryan407]

Berne Indiana is a great community where I was surprised by the baggies the boys would "pimp" their rides. The baggies had fixed their baggies with led rechargeable lights where the boys would add a converter to the wheel that recharged the lights. It was amazing.

[@byhisstripes2713]

Did you know there is an Amish family living in Poland?

[@bostonrailfan2427]

a brownish yellow color? I’d just call it mustard as it looks like the it in color, it’d help as most know mustard as a color on some level

[@zacktube100]

I never knew about the Pearisburg community even though I went to Virginia Tech and lived about 1.5 hours away. They're definitely not obvious.

[@katieprecoor2102]

Part of the families from aylmer have moved to pei. Ontario also has a very big amish community in Kitchener-Waterloo

[@janshe3597]

There are some that left there, and relocated to the Ottawa Valley, in Douglas, Perth, and Lanark, Ontario. Douglas is the largest, it is close to Renfrew, Ontario. Kitchener-Waterloo has a fair amount of Mennonite communities too. If you have a chance, visit St Jacobs flea market (just outside Waterloo) where a lot of Amish and Mennonite sell their wares.

[@kirkel101968]

Hello, thank you for making these interesting videos. Is there a way someone could ask you questions about Amish. I have many questions, like how can you tell the difference between Amish or Mennonites or plain dressed folks like them. I work for an airline and have seen them in the airport or even on flights. There are a lot more questions.

[@AmishAmerica]

Sure absolutely. I have been taking some viewer suggestions for individual videos, and also might do some that just answer a series of people's questions, so feel free to post them here. I actually did a video already on whether Amish can fly on planes. There is definitely a difference in dress between Amish and Mennonites though it can be similar (also, there are different types of both Amish and Mennonites, which adds some variety). Here's the video on Amish & air travel in the meantime: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5DCg3mKo9SJqJY Thanks for asking and glad you like the videos.

[@mattsbrute]

The easiest way is Amish have beards when they marry and drive Grey / Black buggies. Mennonites have only black buggies and are clean shaven for there're whole life. In the simplest form.

[@bigbarkingdog2010]

Very Good.

[@theresacourter2936]

I live about 20 miles from Garnett Kansas yes they do use their vehicles for personal errands they go to Walmart all the time out to restaurants just like us

[@AmishAmerica]

I wouldn't be surprised if things moved in that direction, once the door is opened like that...so if that's the case do you know how "gray area" a personal errand trip would be? In other words, I could see someone stopping at the bank on the way home now and then. But to be regularly taking the vehicle out just for a special personal trip - or to a Friday night dinner at a restaurant - would seem to push them over "the line" as far as Old Order Amish status goes in the eyes of other churches.

[@jimhays4711]

@@AmishAmerica I was at a fast food place in Garnett one day and an Amish fellow drove in on a tractor, parked his machine and shut it off, and came in to order food.

[@AmishAmerica]

Well noted - they do use tractors in a relative handful of communities for transport, and I'm wondering if that is what Theresa is talking about here.

[@theresacourter2936]

No lol I know the difference between a tractor and a automobile this is their cars their trucks their pickups

[@oceanlover1663]

Are the group in South America are from the Russian Mennonite group? I know there's two or three group in Belize that use horse and buggy. Don't get that group mixed up with the common Mennonite or Amish group in USA. If you want to visit a Russian Mennonite group, there's one in western Texas. About one or two hours north of Midland Texas. They drive cars. I had see them shopping in Midland.

[@AmishAmerica]

They were Old Colony Mennonite groups, which is a part of the larger group referred to as "Russian Mennonite". A quite conservative group which does use the horse and buggy and other similarities so that makes becoming an Amish church that much easier. There was a great documentary on the group in Belize, fairly recent I believe: amishamerica.com/belize-mennonite-colony-documentary/

[@mariekatherine5238]

True, each is different. In some places, there are minor differences from district to district, even among those that would diene together. If someone wants to remain Amish but there’s something, Ordnung wise, that creates trouble for them, there’s almost definitely somewhere, someplace where one can live. Of course, issues among Amish are seldom primarily matters of outward Ordnung, but sometimes, they are. I know of a family who moved to another state to a higher church, not so much because of beliefs, but of Ordnung allowing bottled gas, gas generators, and solar panels allowing electric in the house. They also allowed indoor flushing toilets by special permission for those who were unwell, disabled, or elderly. The outdoor toilet or semi-indoor composting toilet was encouraged, but if it meant a family member’s health was compromised or the person had to be institutionalized, there was a church committee to whom one would appeal. SOME more conservative groups looked down on the more progressive as having made “compromises” with the “world.” IMO, the people who got bent out of shape about it and decided to shun them, need to take a good look at themselves, not at what sort of facility they use for bodily elimination, but at whether their hearts needed to eliminate envy, unjust wrath, pride in one’s “humility,” and lack of Christian empathy. IOW, look to your own 🖤, and repent to make it 🤍 again before allowing your 🧠 to take hold of evil notions. Compromises CAN be worked out so long as all know and agree that these are not to be used without necessity and are in-going care is taken that exceptions start to become norms. Those for whom the exceptions are made must do their part in confining their use to the purpose for which they were granted. Two examples irl, a district where eyeglasses had to be round or oval, temple pieces and frames of copper with wrap-around ears. A family from a slightly higher church moved in and the Großmammi had a severe allergy to copper. Anywhere it touched her skin turned green, then black, swollen bright red, itchy, oozing, and affected her sinuses and breathing. She tried everything suggested with no reasonable result. She could not be without her glasses, and once, she had them on while driving and went into anaphylactic shock. Thankfully, a passing motorist woman recognized something was wrong, managed to stop the horse, and called an ambulance. The Amish weren’t too happy about the cost of the ambulance, (cheap, if you want my opinion!), but she was properly diagnosed and the preachers told in no uncertain terms that she had a severe sensitivity to copper that could turn life-threatening. From then on, Großmammi wore plastic rim glasses in as close to color and shape as could be found. End of story. The preachers made it clear the exception was for her, only. In another settlement, several elderly people are permitted the use of Coleman mantle lamps in order to see to continue working. One man does intricate inlaid furniture tops, and the others are ladies who do quilting. Although in their 60’s and up, not being able to see properly takes away their ability to work and contribute to the family and church. Loss of one’s ability to work is a tragedy among Amish, the “lower” the church, the worse it is. One of these compromise situations is among Swartzentruber Amish, normally among the least likely to accept change or compromise.

[@oceanlover1663]

Are you getting the Sunday school buildings and church services mixed-up? Its two different topics. The community where my dad is from got that. So its Sunday school at the Sunday school building one week and the next week will be the regular church services in someone home. During my growing up years, my parents made sure they are visiting over the Sunday school week since the Sunday school building was just down the road so its easier for my grandmother and aunt to get home for lunch. They are from the old order Amish community.

[@AmishAmerica]

The group mentioned here holds actual church service in a meeting house, as do some other Amish. But most groups (95%+) hold church service at home. Was Sunday School mentioned in the video? I don't recall that I did, but you may need to remind me

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

Do you have a video about the Amish in Australia at all please?

[@mattsbrute]

I am surrounded by Mennonites and have lived next to them for 52 years. Im surrounded on 3 sides by them. I played with them when I was a kid, ive gone to their funerals and know all of them very well as well as the culture. Some of them pull in here to the house and chit chat. Ive learned alot about them in my life and alot of people simply dont understand them. They are good people but are nosey as hell. When I went on travel for work a couple years ago for an extended time they stopped in here and asked my son where I was because they haven't seen me out in the yard lately. :-)

[@heraldomedrano851]

There a lot of Mennonites in Northern Mexico.

[@crescentmoonchild4031]

I think that inquiring about you is concern not nosy. It’s nice.

[@cherylT321]

I think they were probably just worried about you!

[@OccamsRazoretta]

Very fascinating. Thank you, Erik, for the interesting video. In summer 1980 was the first time I saw Amish people. I was visiting a huge flea market in Shipsewana, Indiana. Naturally, I was curious, and approached some girls and young ladies to find out about them, but they pulled away. A year later, I did a lot of research on the Amish for my year-long term paper while in high school. As you point out in your video, they're not a monolith, and their varieties are certainly interesting. P.S. A couple of years ago while on a road trip, I stopped at a McDonald's in Missouri, just off of I-35. Met an Amish man in line, right behind me. So, yes, it was only natural to strike up a conversation. He was so friendly and transparent. He felt like some McDonald's food (which defies stereotypes), and had a driver drive him there.

[@AmishAmerica]

Glad you thought so Faith. I wonder how those girls and young ladies (or rather their equivalents) would respond today. The reason I wonder is because it's generally rather progressive (certainly more so than in 1980) and also I find it a friendly community. But that's an interesting story as is your McDonald's example. I think the first time I realized Amish people like McDonald's too is when I noticed the buggy parking sign at the McDonald's in Sugarcreek, Ohio. I'm glad you found the channel and thanks for the interesting comment. amishamerica.com/do-amish-eat-at-mcdonalds/

[@neoSoulLofi]

I have a question for you. I'm not Amish (English) but for the majority of my life I've had many experiences with the Amish in my area which is a community near Hutchinson Kansas called Yoder if memory serves me correctly. Anyway there was a time that I worked for the Red cross and we went there to do a blood drive that was held inside there school building, which was directly behind an Amish owned restaurant called The Carriage Crossing (amazing shoefly pie & chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes by the way ). I have always wondered why they wouldn't take to anyone except for me of all people. Let me give you some background information on me. I'm a black man, who at that time had dreadlocks that hung to my shoulders. This would have been around 2007 or 2008. I heard two men talking and it wasn't English or classic high German but I understood every word. So I actually came closer and greeted them and introduced myself speaking German (I'm fluent, lived in Kriegsfeld Germany for 10 years) and their eyes got as big as dinner plates. We chatted for around 30 minutes in German the entire time and the older gentleman who I later learned was actually one of the community leaders introduced me to everyone from his community that was there that day and it was the most genuine first encounter I have had with any group of people that I'd never met in my lifetime. So much so that even now I go to the Crossing about twice a month and they treat me like a friend, I don't order...don't need to! It's always the same thing for the last 13 years chicken and noodles, glass of fresh milk, and one piece of shoefly pie. But to this day I still don't know why that community opened up to me at all? Any thoughts

[@AmishAmerica]

Cool story - I would say that although it can vary, a lot of Amish are pretty friendly in general and I bet they were just probably being friendly (I haven't visited there yet, but my impression is that the Yoder-area Amish are probably among the friendlier groups) - but also you having that experience with and knowledge of the German language probably made you stand out to them. Did you actually observe them not being friendly or open with others or.? I bet they enjoyed speaking German with you, and I bet they were curious to know what it is like in Germany. I also hear stories at times of native speakers that visit from Switzerland and other German-speaking places and they enjoy that interaction. Neat that you have that connection now, and of course the food is a big plus too!

[@neoSoulLofi]

@@AmishAmerica They were/are absolutely amazing. And to answer your question it wasn't that they were being unfriendly to the other red cross staff, I think it was more of a which group of people were going to engage in conversation first when I look back on it. Because I did notice when we took breaks from our activities throughout the day I did notice other small interactions between the Amish that were present that day and the other red cross employees. Side note your video just showed up and I appreciate the knowledge you gave and as a person who has always lived in an area of the US that Amish have a fairly large presence #13 Kansas from one of your other videos, it's always been normal to see them pretty regularly. Just good hard working people living their lives their way, and I respect it.

[@deevanderheiden]

I was wondering where you separated Amish from Mennonite and Huterite (south Dakota). 3m company of Minnesota makes a black reflective triangle for the black buggies. Yellow buggies save lives

[@AmishAmerica]

I mainly just cover horse-and-buggy Amish here. Hutterites are an interesting group and we've had a few posts and articles on the website on them. I don't believe I've seen a black reflective triangle on any Amish buggies before. Some Amish use an unusual triangle (like one community in Ashland Co Ohio - which has a black center but thick silver reflective borders) so maybe you mean something like that: amishamerica.com/amish-group-known-for-unusual-safety-triangles-expected-to-add-new-safety-enhancement/

[@bnbcraft6666]

do have any videos about the hutterites?

[@zacktube100]

I wonder if there's an Amish community known for its wealth or at least has that stereotype amongst the Amish. Inter-Amish stereotypes of each other is an interesting idea.

[@williamchristopher1560]

The amish in Okla dnt use buggies anymore. Ghey get round on tractors. theyll use old pickup beds as trailers to haul the family somewheres, or just let a couple ride in the cab or on the drawbar.

[@AmishAmerica]

I believe the mainly would use buggies for traveling to church on Sundays. That's the way it has apparently gone in some communities where the tractor has become the default transport (Guthrie, KY is another where tractors are heavily used). In Garnett, KS they also use the pickup beds.

[@hitchyourwagon4720]

Can you do a program on differences between old order Mennonites and old order Amish? There is an old order Mennonite community near Farmington, Missouri. They look like mustached Amish.

[@AmishAmerica]

I am planning an Amish/Mennonite comparison video soon. I'm not sure about that group, have to look a bit closer. Old Order Mennonites usually don't have mustaches. There are some some so-called "para-Amish" groups which are Amish-like but wear mustaches. There are also a few rare Amish groups where the men do have something like light mustaches (eg Unity, Maine)

[@hitchyourwagon4720]

@@AmishAmerica I asked them what was with the mustaches, thought Amish did not wear mustaches? They replied we are not Amish we are old order Mennonites. One of their ordinances is that they can not come to your house to work but if you bring work to them they can do it. Example here was horse shoeing.

[@vintagejones1372]

Do the Amish retire? And do the elderly usually live with children or are there elder care homes? Thanks for the videos!

[@angeliquelivezey2216]

My neighbor's parents just recently retired from farming and moved into annex of my neighbor's house with his youngest sister who has downs syndrome. One of the other sons took over the farm.

[@AmishAmerica]

They do retire - or let's say "retire" - Angelique gives a good example here. Amish farmers often move away from full-time farming in their 50s so that a son can take over the main operations of the farm. They will move into a "dawdi house" which is a smaller house that is often attached to the main farmhouse kind of like Angelique describes. A retired farmer will still help out around the farm and often takes on an outside job like woodworking. Amish rarely place elderly or otherwise infirm into care homes, the typical model is that they are cared for by the family. For example the adult children may take turns spending time/caring for an elderly parent, spending say the day there. Hope that gives a little mor e info and my pleasure on the videos!

[@aurora3067]

@@AmishAmerica This should be a video.

[@carolynchristy]

Hello from Garnett, KS! The Amish I know who drive cars say it's a useful skill to have and really no different than driving a tractor. It's a machine with 4 wheels and an engine, right? LOL!

[@stihlhead1]

There is a community in Belize. Look up horse powered sawmill on here.

[@AmishAmerica]

There are Mennonites in Belize, but no horse-and-buggy Amish. Here is a doc on the Old Colony Mennonites there; there are also some Old Order Mennonites in the country: amishamerica.com/belize-mennonite-colony-documentary/ Also the last photo on this post shows a buggy warning sign in Belize, with an interesting design: amishamerica.com/buggy-signs-across-america/

[@michelesinger7283]

I was adopted from Paraguay and I’m convinced my biological family is from one of the Amish communities down there

[@kimfleury]

It's extremely rare for Amish to set their babies up for adoption outside the community. Unwed births do occur, but if the mother chooses to remain among the Amish, she will be supported by her family and community in rearing the child, or her own family or another family in the community will adopt the baby. If she's not baptized, no sin is counted against her, as it will be wiped away upon baptism, so she won't be shunned merely for conceiving a child out of wedlock. If it wasn't her choice (assault) then she certainly will be embraced in love by her community so that she may heal. If she leaves the community of her own volition, and becomes pregnant, then she might be more inclined to sign the baby over to be adopted by the English.

[@barbmackley3257]

Love the Amish

[@debbimeyersbrant5752]

Do you know how they pick families to move to start other communities? I know here in Somerset County I know of two families that have been moved out west but I didn't know how they chose them if it was due to the business they did or if it was because they were young couples.

[@AmishAmerica]

Usually, it's more a personal decision rather than say selecting someone to start a daughter community. An Amish family might become dissatisfied with something in their home community (maybe it's grown too big for them with too much traffic, or the community itself has gotten a bit too progressive for their liking, or they have sons who want to farm and need more affordable land) and they seek opportunities elsewhere. Some end up moving around a good bit.

[@debbimeyersbrant5752]

@@AmishAmerica thank you for getting back to me I know the one family that moved had a harness Shop Right There by that church going to Mount Davis me and my late husband used to go there and get tarps and things made

[@AmishAmerica]

My pleasure! Did anyone else take over the harness shop?

[@debbimeyersbrant5752]

@@AmishAmerica there is a Mark's harness shop between West Salisbury in St Paul a young couple moved into where the old Harley shop used to be but I think he's working at The Sawmill. The Sawmills on the backside of West Salisbury

[@lamebubblesflysohigh]

My bet would be on price for the land. Land is very expensive in first world but not so much in places like South America. There were people who wanted them there, the land itself was good and affordable so why not? Other than weather and lost connection with extended family, it is not like much has changed for them.

[@mq5276]

Curious, do the South American Amish still refer to the non Amish as "English" or would they be "Spanish"? Just a thought...

[@AmishAmerica]

That is an interesting question, what word if any they would regularly use for outsiders. They actually speak a different German dialect from the PA German most Amish speak.

[@gliderman1176]

Yea

[@mariekatherine5238]

You forgot the Nebraska Amish, not in Nebraska but Mifflin Co. Penna!

[@DLjoey]

There also in Belize.

[@AmishAmerica]

Well, there are actually horse-and-buggy driving plain Mennonites in Belize, but no Amish. There is quite a nice documentary on one group there: amishamerica.com/belize-mennonite-colony-documentary/ Those happen to be a group of Old Colony Mennonites, the type I mention in this video.

[@Tobitobiify]

@@AmishAmerica In Belize there are Noah Hoover Mennonites who look almost identical to the Amish. They use less modern technology than most Amish communites. Here you can read more about them: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah_Hoover_Mennonite The vast majority of the traditional Anabapist in Belize are German spreaking so-called Russian Mennonite: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Mennonite.

[@Tobitobiify]

Here is more information about Mennonites in Belize: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mennonites_in_Belize. This is a very nice video in which you can see Noah Hoover Mennonites in Belice: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJO3f6d5jL2WmbM

[@judiththompson2423]

Do any of them use solar powered devices?

[@sonyafox3271]

What do you know about the Amish in Rushville, IN , Pleasant, IN and those that surround in the Indianapolis, IN area? Because, I know that, I know a little bit. With leaving lived in Pleasent and then, I know in Rushville, IN we would go there once a year for a Steam Engine convention and, they would make a meal, that was always good then, they would always sell there baked goods, butters and handmade crafts and, so, on. Also Rushville, has a smaller version of a Troyer’s market. I know there other areas the Amish live in the surrounding areas, I was thinking there was a Amish community somewhere around the Anderson Indiana area, I know there’s a area around Vernon Indiana which, I went to a couple festivals there yrs ago. But, I was thinking there was 2 or 3 more areas close to the Indianapolis area where they live. They used to come to IU to sell things. Hope they can bring that back.

[@AmishAmerica]

So the community near Rushville is actually more commonly called by "Milroy", a nearby town. I visited most of the homes there in 2004, so it's been a little while, but I found the families there friendly overall, nice little community. There's around 450-500 Amish living there. I haven't been to the area of Pleasant - there are a couple of separate communities near the nearby town of Vevay in that same county. I don't believe there's a community around Anderson. You might find this listing interesting, it has all the Indiana communities (and all the communities in general) listed by county: groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/files/2020/10/Amish_Pop_by_state_and_county_2020.pdf

[@sonyafox3271]

@@AmishAmerica thank you for the additional info, yes Pleasent is pretty close to Vevay.

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

The open churches give me Jonestown vibes 👀

[@sandralane1923]

Do the Amish vote in county, city, state, or federal elections?

[@AmishAmerica]

Only a minority do - maybe 10%, would vary some by community too. Two kingdoms theology has to do with this

[@prettylady995]

Will the Amish drive a vehicle if it was his job to do so for delivery of furniture or something like that?

[@rosegoldbanks4842]

I heard about the Amish in Bolivia and Argentina there’s a bit of controversy about them there is speculation of some in that community are basically descendants of Nazi’s who escaped Germany during WW2 there’s a great movie called Colonia and it has a part touching on that

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Are there any Amish fishing communities?

[@AmishAmerica]

I'm not sure I follow. Fishing community?

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

@@AmishAmerica Like my impression is most Amish people work as farmers or in home businesses. Do they have any communities on the coast where they go out in boats and make their living catching fish instead of farming?

[@AmishAmerica]

Ah, gotcha. None that I am aware of, though it would be interesting to see. Amish do enjoy fishing though, and some have boats, even motorboats (I think I have a photo or two in one of these vids of buggies towing boats - quite common in northern Indiana for instance). One thought is that maybe the type of boat required to actually be able to make a living as a full-time fisherman would be a bit beyond what Amish are willing to accept. You also got me thinking a bit about which Amish communities are in fact close to or on the coast. Not too many spring to mind but I might look further into it.

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

theres a community in japan

[@prettylady995]

I definitely would prefer a buggy with a top due to weather or to prevent the wind and dirt on my clothes or if I was on a date I would want him to sneak a kiss!

[@bendover3838]

I love those "Swiss Amish" knives!

[@JLKB-1947]

You mean Swiss Army knives .

[@bendover3838]

@@JLKB-1947 humor, my friend

[@bendover3838]

@@JLKB-1947 a play on words

[@quientschaffer9635]

Cheaper land and living.

[@efolinsky]

The old colony Mennonites had way bigger problems than just money…:

[@vegasprepperone]

Any Amish gay gentlemen that needs a family or supportive home situation let me know

[@joycecashen5447]

I’m from Aylmer which is a old order Mennonite community

[@pou618]

How did the Amish/Mennonite end up in South America to begin with?

[@AmishAmerica]

It is a concern for parents, one of my Amish friends gave a series of talks to some Amish youth and shared the texts with me - on things like smart phones and other topics. I don't know if there is necessarily "more" of that stuff going on - there is emphasis from parents on "clean" youth activities in a lot of places though you'll see it can vary, and some communities have a reputation for wilder youth and partying. In the late 90s there was a big let's say scandal in Lancaster County where two Amish youth were involved with some pretty high-level drug dealing, and that has also pushed the cleaner youth groups (adult-attended youth singings for example). At the same time you can read stories of Amish youth getting DUI charges from time to time (there was just one in the past few months in another PA community). Many parents are concerned like non-Amish parents would be, though in some communities the wilder activities seem to be more accepted than in others.

[@joeanderson9431]

The somerset community and their meeting houses would be actually scriptualy correct on what our churches are supposed to be like post Christ crucified as everything serimonial was nailed to the cross and done away with and the way was now being spread by the apostles

[@madlogsiso]

Are you Amish?

[@deborah2063]

Interesting video! Very frustrating to try to watch, could you speak louder?

[@AmishAmerica]

Sure, glad you liked it! Yes, I've been trying to make more recent videos louder so I hope that comes through

[@paulflynn1509]

Enjoy your videos immensely, but could you please pronounce Aylmer correctly? The correct pronunciation is AIL-mer. Don't worry....even people in Southern Ontario can't pronounce it right.

[@AmishAmerica]

:D Paul you might chuckle but I originally had a segment where I pronounced it a couple different ways, and then asked viewers "in the know" to help me out on the right way. I ended up editing it out to make the video more concise

[@lizf1353]

So they can drive a car for work but they can't drive a car if their child has cancer and needs regular transportation to a children's hospital 🤔 🙄

[@maryw9841]

Hope those hypocrites and criminals leave these communities alone!

[@simonbolivar2032]

How do they avoid inbreeding?

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

I thought Yiddish was only for Jews?

[@jturner2577]

How come so many Amish Youth stay? Is it due to fear, threats and intimidations

[@AmishAmerica]

I don't believe that sort of thing comes so much into play in most cases. However there may be subtle or less subtle pressure/influence from say parents in some instances. That's not very healthy, but maybe not too different from non-Amish parents who pressure their children in a certain life path. Stronger factors are probably of course personal conviction, and sense of identity as Amish, which is something they grow up in. And, no doubt another factor is the fact that to be married in the Amish church, you must also be baptized Amish :)

[@daisymae913]

Why WOULD they leave? The modern "English" world is an absolute sh*t show.

[@lamebubblesflysohigh]

why wouldn't they? You cant miss what you never had. They are not addicted to video games, TV, internet (social media nad stuff) etc. Rat race between working more to be able to afford more and perpetual debt slavery of modern society are not exactly tempting to outside observers.

[@sandranynj7118]

Question: Are there any Black Amish?

[@sonyafox3271]

Yes, I have seen, I think it tends to be based more on location.

[@leilahassim7025]

Interesting question…

[@asamanyworlds3772]

I seen a few adopted black ones