The Old Order Amish in North America: a brief history
by Louise Bergen Price

Mennonites and Amish share a common Anabaptist heritage going back to the Protestant Reformation.  In 1693, Jakob Ammann proposed a number of changes that he believed would revitalize the Anabaptist movement, changes that are still part of the Amish belief.  These practices included footwashing during twice-yearly communion services, a prohibition against wearing fashionable clothing or trimming beards, and the practice of shunning.  It was Ammann’s insistence on shunning those members who had been excommunicated for wrongdoing that caused a split between his followers and other Anabaptists, including Mennonites,  in Switzerland and Alsace.

 The Amish migrated from Europe to North America between 1700-1800; all those remaining in Europe were absorbed into other denominations.  In Canada, they are found in Ontario; in the US, they live in nearly 400 different settlement in 27 states.  Today they total approximately 220,000 adults and children.

 Between 1862-1878, the Amish divided, primarily into two major groups: the Old Order Amish, and the Amish Mennonites.  Most of the Amish Mennonites later joined with regional Mennonite conferences.
 Cornerstones of Amish religious life are the German Luther Bible, the Martyrs Mirror, the Ausbund (Hymnbook) and the 1632 Dordrecht Confession of Faith.   Especially important are Jesus  teachings on the Sermon on the Mount.

References:
1.  “Amish Mennonites,”  http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amish_Mennonite&oldid=189296838 (accessed  Apr. 9,  2008).
2. Hostetler, John A. "Old Order Amish."  (1956) Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia.
 http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/A4574ME.html  (accessed April 9, 2008)
3.   Kraybill, Donald H, Steven M. Nolt, and Karen Johnson-Weiner.  “Amish Studies.” www2.etown.edu/amishstudies/Church_Discipline.asp  (accessed April 7,2008).