Peter Waldo and the Waldensians

The Waldensians, though similar and even related to the Cathers, are a completely separate movement.

If I may add... I notice that, in the old texts, the 'official' church was initially assimilating the Cathars with Waldensians - probably because they hadn't yet identified the origins of the Cathar movement. We now know that the formalisation of the Cathar movement (with bishops and deacons), occurred with the 'council' in Saint-Félix-Lauragais in 1167, with the bogomil 'pope' Nicetas of Constantinople in attendance - which makes it indeed a totally separate movement (though early Cathars must, obviously, have been influenced by the Waldensian movement - if only because they shared a same level of spiritual orthodoxy and a rejection of the decadence of the clergy in the 'official' church).

Yes, Victar and George, they were separate movements. George, you are right on point with "though early Cathars must, obviously, have been influenced by the Waldensian movement - if only because they shared a same level of spiritual orthodoxy and a rejection of the decadence of the clergy in the 'official' church."

It makes me think - but this could be Geni projects for YEARS to come...
You could think of projects around all European religious movements that were persecuted - and that, subsequently, sought refuge in the 'New World' (Mennonites/Amish etc). The objective could be to identify genealogy trees in Europe, and then link them to descendants in the US today. Obviously the Mormons must have a lot about that - I'm just not sure whether Geni has it. Projects like this could be very beneficial - especially as so much of early American immigration was related to religious persecution.

Yes, George, even the Caribbean and Latin America!

Erica Howton