The Palatine migrants were German-speaking people who left Europe in the early 18th century and emigrated to the UK and to North America seeking religious freedom and better opportunities for their families. The first wave began in 1709, and others continued through to the 1770's.

Passenger lists carrying the Palatine migrants exist and transcriptions can be located online. These can be difficult to work with if you are unsure of when your Palatine ancestors emigrated. Many of the Palatine migrant families have been documented in a number of well-known genealogical references. These include :

• Burgert, Annette K. and Jones, Henry Z. (2000) "Westerwald to America"
• Davis, Richard Warren (1995) "Emigrants, Refugees and Prisoners"
• Jones, Henry Z. "The Palatine Families of New York - 1710"
  Jones, Henry Z. "The Palatine Families of Ireland"
• Jones, Henry Z. "More Palatine Families"
• Jones, Henry Z. "Even More Palatine Families : 18th century immigrants to the American colonies and their German, Swiss and Austrian origins"
  

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 Palatine women via your matrilineal line.

If you know someone who is a matrilineal descendant of one of the Palatine 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 are a patrilineal descendant of one of the Palatine families, consider y-DNA testing. You may also wish to join the Palatine DNA project.