The Palatines were people from the continent of Europe, most of whom were German-speaking, who emigrated to America between 1709 and 1808. They were called Palatines by the English government because many of them came from the Rhenish Palatinate, a part of Germany. Religious freedom was not the primary reason for the Palatine migration. The top reasons were the devastation's of almost 100 years of war, the bitter winter of 1708-1709, oppressive taxation, petty religious squabbles (wars), a desire for adventure, & land hunger. Our ancestors were required to change there religion from Catholic to Protestant in order to receive the free ship passage.

3rd Party of Palatines on Capt. Wilken's Ship Fame at Rotterdam 1709

Transcription of text in document
Johannes Zech, 43
Anna Magdalena
Johann Georg, 11
Johann Gerhardt, 6
Ignatius, 3
Johann Peter, 1
(Zeg, Sea, Say, Zehe, Zee, Zehn) ; 3rd arrivals in London; Catholic; to Tulpehocken, PA; to Augusta Co, VA.

Others were better at the transcription than I was. This came from an Elvis Presley biography site, as his 6 times great grandparents arrived on the ship as my ancestors did. A complete transcription can be found at: http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/biography/1710_ship_fame_johann_valentin_bressler.shtml