Based upon the current Y-DNA findings and the well-documented research of the other Y-DNA testers, I really don’t think so.
For those who are not aware, on page 102 in J. Scottowe Wannamaker’s book, The Wannamaker, Salley, Mackay and Bellinger Families, it is stated that “Jacob Wannamaker, born in the City of Speyer…took refuge in Switzerland,” specifically Zurich. On the Orangeburg Swiss German Genealogy site, in the references section on this page, it is noted that there are no sources to support this statement. Furthermore, the genealogist in Germany reported to me to that he could not find a Jacob Wanne(n)macher in the Archives of Speyer. And, I happen to agree with his opinion that the name “Speyer” may have been given as a general location much like, while travelling abroad, we would first reply “South Carolina” if asked, “Where are you from?”
But, here’s an intriguing point. In reviewing my old research notes since June of this year, after finding Jacob’s baptismal record, I found a paragraph within the personal papers of my cousin, Scootie Wannamaker. It reads: “Jacob Wannenmacher (Wannamaker), a refugee from religious persecution, fled from Speyer, Germany to Zurich, Switzerland about 1730 with his family.” Again: “about 1730” … “with his family.” Because of Jacob’s age which was noted as 24 on the Passenger List of the Charming Nancy, arrival date November 9, 1738, (Pennsylvania German Pioneers by Ralph Beaver Strassburger, LL.D., Volume 1 of 2, Baltimore Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1980), both Scootie and I wondered if Jacob may have been married before emigrating to America. Certainly, that is speculation, but Scootie did add “with his family” in his typed notes which look like part of a manuscript. Unfortunately, at this time, I see no additional information.
I’m especially curious about Scootie’s use of “about 1730.” This could be important for a few reasons. First, I never could find a manumission record for this Jacob, and according to the genealogist in Germany, there was no manumission record for a Jacob Wanne(n)macher in the Duchy Pfalz-Zweibrucken area. Second, for the 1731 Oath of Allegiance, there is no Jacob Wanne(n)macher in the list of names except for Weingart Wannemacher, the father of Jacob (b. 18 Aug 1715). Maybe, Jacob did go to Zurich first before coming to America. Note: I do not have a copy of the 1731 Oath of Allegiance.
Whether or not “our” Jacob went to Switzerland, I still think he was born in Waldmohr and not the city of Speyer.
Wannamaker Genealogy 