{"id":53791,"date":"2019-11-05T10:38:22","date_gmt":"2019-11-05T15:38:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=53791"},"modified":"2023-09-22T11:33:01","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T15:33:01","slug":"genealogy-tip-understanding-the-importance-of-membership-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/genealogy-tip-understanding-the-importance-of-membership-records.html","title":{"rendered":"Genealogy Tip: Understanding the Importance of Membership Records"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about an often-overlooked source of family history information: membership records. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

A seldom used record type in genealogical research are membership organization records. Why are they seldom used? It\u2019s understandable that most researchers don\u2019t spend the time to identify their ancestor\u2019s membership groups. In addition, these records, if they still exist, are most likely housed in an archive \u2013 which may mean they are more difficult to find.<\/p>\n

Because archival records are not indexed (like subscription genealogy website databases) and most likely not digitized, archival research requires more time and effort via on-site research either by the researcher themselves or a nearby paid researcher. But even with those barriers, membership records can provide important genealogical information and should be considered as you research your family history.<\/p>\n

To get a better sense of what membership records might offer your genealogical research, let\u2019s take a look at an example from a meeting ledger of the Lookout Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star (Brooklin, Maine). This ledger spans the years 1920-1933 in a bound 500-page book. This is just one example of a type of membership record you may find in an archive. (1)<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: meeting ledger of the Lookout Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, 1920-1933. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Order of the Eastern Star (OES)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before I provide examples of the genealogically relevant information in this ledger, let\u2019s briefly go over what the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) is. According to the website for the Grand Chapter of Maine Order of the Easter Star<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. Worldwide, there are currently more than 1.2 million members\u2026 Although not a part of the Masonic fraternity, membership is based on a Masonic affiliation or relationship, a belief in God, and a desire to acquire additional knowledge and self-improvement\u2026 The personal welfare of our members is vital to all of those in the Eastern Star, and it is considered a privilege to help another member whenever we can.\u201d (2)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From the Grand Chapter of Maine Order of the Eastern Star website, it appears that the chapter documented in this ledger from Brooklin is no longer active. Searching online for Brooklin, Hancock, Maine, I discover that it is a town with only about 810 residents currently and it was the one-time home of Charlotte\u2019s Web<\/em> author E. B. White beginning in the 1930s. (3)<\/p>\n

Members\u2019 Names and More<\/strong><\/p>\n

This ledger is a record of meetings the OES chapter had over a span of 13 years, and as such it includes the names of everyone who attended each meeting, including guests. Those who held a position within the chapter are listed by their name and position title. Those visiting are often noted with the OES chapter to which they belonged.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: meeting ledger of the Lookout Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, 1920-1933, page 2. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If we were researching the individuals listed in this ledger, we could extend our research to include other records such as the U.S. Federal Census. The first page of the ledger lists Clara T. Cole as the \u201cWorthy Matron\u201d (a leadership position in the OES), and further down the page, member Fred L. Cole is listed as well. Looking at the 1920 U.S. Federal Census for Brooklin, Maine, we find the Fred L. Cole family with wife Clara along with their children. Further reading of the ledger\u2019s contents would provide us more information about what Clara and Fred did in the years the ledger covers and would fill in the gaps between census years.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: listing for the Cole family in Brooklin, Maine, from the 1920 U.S. Federal Census. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Family and Death<\/strong><\/p>\n

OES members who died are listed in the ledger, though their death dates are not always documented. In this example of Naomi Allen, she is listed as being present for the 23 November 1922 meeting, but just five days later on November 28th a special meeting was called for \u201cpaying our last respects to the memory of our sister Naomi Allen.\u201d Then \u201ca recess was declared while the members attended services and marched to the cemetery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: meeting ledger of the Lookout Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, 1920-1933, page 105. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Because the Order of the Eastern Star includes male and female members, it\u2019s a great resource for female ancestors as well as familial relationships. Families are represented in this volume, especially husbands and wives who are members. But I also found mentions of women with their father\u2019s names, as in this example naming Linnie Freethey as the daughter of Ward Freethey. Other family relationships are most likely represented in this volume as well.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: meeting ledger of the Lookout Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, 1920-1933, page 487. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Social History<\/strong><\/p>\n

Taking the time to read the entries provides a snapshot of life in a specific time and place. Searching for social history helps us better understand our ancestor\u2019s life and provides more interest in our family history narrative. For example, it\u2019s probably no surprise that this group enjoyed refreshments at their meetings, but there are a few times where the exact menu is supplied \u2013 like the meeting on 9 April 1926 which fell just five days after Easter. They served a 6 p.m. supper with \u201cclam stew, mashed potato, cold ham, cabbage salad, pickles, filled pies, coffee.\u201d There\u2019s also this note: \u201cThe decorations were in keeping with Easter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: meeting ledger of the Lookout Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, 1920-1933, page 229. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not Everything Is Online<\/strong><\/p>\n

Records beyond the familiar can provide unique perspectives and genealogically rich details. This is just one example of what can be found when we search archives. Archival materials have genealogical relevance but they require more \u201cwork\u201d than simply searching an online database. To get started, search archival catalogs for the place your ancestor lived, as well as the catalog ArchiveGrid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Genealogy is much more than just filling in a family tree with names and dates. To get to know our ancestors, we need to find their stories. The pages of old newspapers, such as GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a>, contain our ancestors\u2019 stories. And, as this article has shown, other sources \u2013 such as membership records \u2013 can provide further details to flesh out the stories of our ancestors\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n

_________________<\/p>\n

(1) This ledger is something I bought at a vintage paper fair, but normally you would find it in an archival collection.
\n(2) \u201cWhat is Eastern Star?\u201d Grand Chapter of Maine Order of the Eastern Star (https:\/\/maineoes.org\/about-us<\/a>: accessed 22 July 2019).
\n(3) \u201cBrooklin, Maine,\u201d Wikipedia (https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brooklin,_Maine<\/a>: accessed 22 July 2019).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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