Ethnic Organizations

• Ancient Order of Hibernians in America - National Web Page 
  • National History 
• The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association 
  Ethnic organization for Greek immigrants.
• B'nai B'rith 
• CSA Fraternal Life 
  A fraternal benefits society originally for Czech immigrants.
  • The Czechoslovak Heritage Museum  ~ Illinois
    Holds the records of the CSA and merged organizations.
• First Catholic Slovak Union of the United States and Canada 
  Slovak fraternal organization.
• Grand Orange Lodge of Canada 
  Web site for the Loyal Orange Association of Canada, a national fraternal organization.
• The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland 
• Help is at Hand: Immigrant Aid Societies, Part 1 
  Article by Suzanne McVetty.
• Help is at Hand: Immigrant Aid Societies, Part 2 
  Article by Suzanne McVetty.
• Immigration History Research Center (IHRC) at the University of Minnesota 
  An international resource on American immigration and ethnic history.
  • Archival and Library Research Collections 
    • Family History Sources at IHRC 
      • Fraternal Society Material 
        Records of fraternal organizations contain a wealth of personal information in the form of membership application and death benefit claim forms. The membership applications generally include dates and place of birth, names of parents and siblings, religion, profession, place of residence (at time of application), and medical information. Among the fraternal organizations represented at the IHRC are the National Slovak Society, the First Catholic Slovak Union, the Slovenian National Benefit Society, the Order of AHEPA (Greek), and the Order Sons of Italy in America.
• International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, Inc. 
• Irish American Voluntary Organizations 
  A book by Michael F. Funchion.
• Italian Sons and Daughters of America 
  A fraternal benefits association.
  • History and Benefits of the ISDA 
• National Japanese American Historical Society 
• National Slovak Society 
  Slovak fraternal organization.
• Norwegian-American Bygdelagenes Fellesraad 
  Parent organization for the Norwegian Bygdelags.
• One Stop Italian American: OSIA.org 
  The Order Sons of Italy in America.
  • Guide to the Records of the Order Sons of Italy in America 
    A book by John Andreozz.
• The Order of the Sons of Hermann in the State of Texas 
  Fraternal benefits society originally for German immigrants.
  • Our History 
• PGSA - PRCUA Insurance Claim Index 
  From the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America. Early death claims (before about 1912) are mostly in the form of names entered into ledger books. Death claims thereafter will have a death certificate as part of the claim. The records index goes up to about 1940.
• Polish Falcons 
  A fraternal benefits society.
  • Historical Overview 
• Polish Genealogical Society of America 
• Records of Ethnic Fraternal Benefit Associations in the United States: Essays & Inventories 
  A book by the Immigration History Research Center Staff.
• Roglandslag 
  A bygdelag of the descendents of Rogaland, Norway.
• Slovene National Benefit Society 
• The Society of Hispanic Historical and Ancestral Research (SHHAR) 
• Sons of Hermann  ~ Texas
  Fraternal benefits society originally for German immigrants.
  • A Brief History 
• Sons of Norway Home Page 
• Ten Reasons to Join an Ethnic Society 
  Article by Terry and Jim Willard.
• União Portuguesa do Estado da California 
  A fraternal benefits society originally serving Portuguese immigrants to California.
  • A Short History of Our Society 
• United Order True Sisters Records 
  Inventory of the records held by the American Jewish Archives.
• William Penn Association 
  A fraternal benefits society originally for Hungarian immigrants to the United States.
  • History 
• The World Directory of Scottish Associations 
  A book by Michael Brander.

General Resource Sites

• Adventures in Genealogy: Family Newsletters 
• American Association for State and Local History 
• Ancestry.com - Message Boards - Organizations and Societies 
• Associations Généalogiques sur le Net 
  Les associations, cercles et unions généalogiques sur internet. Classement par départements.
• Association for Gravestone Studies 
• Family Tree Connection - Clubs and Societies 
  Search the listings for free, view full details with a fee-based subscription.
• Family Tree Connection - Historical Societies 
  Search the listings for free, view full details with a fee-based subscription.
• Genealogy Newsletter Editor's Corner 
  A gathering place for editors of genealogy and family history newsletters.
• Guild of One-Name Studies  ~ United Kingdom
• Historical Societies - Society Hill Directory 
• Hunting for Heritage: Using Association Records 
  Article by Curt B. Witcher.
• Railroad Historical Societies 
• Roots Television 
  Roots Television is an online television network by and for avid genealogists. Videos include how-to demonstrations, conference lectures, and region-specific programming including Irish, Hispanic, British, Jewish, African-American research and more. Videos are available online, on-demand, and virtually all of them are absolutely free.
  • Program Guide 
    • Conferences 
    • Societies 
• Why Should a Genealogy Society Give Records Away? 
  Article by Jeffrey A. Bockman, Naperville, IL, originally published in the FGS Forum, Winter 1997, page 25.

Lineage Societies

• Cyndi's List - Lineage 
  The links in this section have been moved to their own page. Please update your bookmarks.

Mailing Lists, Newsgroups & Chat

• Genealogy Resources on the Internet - Societies Mailing Lists 
  Most of the mailing list links below point to this site, wonderfully maintained by John Fuller. John indexes links for all known genealogy mailing lists, including RootsWeb and others.
• RootsWeb: Genealogy Mailing Lists: Genealogical Societies 
  The majority of genealogy mailing lists are hosted by RootsWeb.com. Messages on RootsWeb lists are archived. The links to RootsWeb below point you to the archives (browse or search).

• AUS-FHS-WEBMASTERS Mailing List 
  For the webmasters of Australian family history societies to discuss and share information and tips regarding the development and maintenance of their websites.
• GEN-EDITOR Mailing List 
  For editors/publishers of genealogical, surname and family newsletters to have a place to discuss and share ideas and tips.
• GEN_SOCIETIES Mailing List 
  For persons involved with establishing a local genealogical society in order to share program ideas, discuss means of promoting growth within a group, discuss how to work with libraries, and other related topics.

Military Societies

• The American Legion National Headquarters 
• The Army Home Page Organizations Index 
  Alphabetical index of a numerous variety of organizations within the Army or related to the Army.
• The Aztec Club of 1847 
  Military society of the Mexican War.
• Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association 
• Confederate Memorial Association 
• Continental Society Sons of Indian Wars 
• Crimean War Research Society  ~ U.K.
• Dames of the Loyal Legion of the United States of America 
• Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865 
• Descendants of Mexican War Veterans 
• DISPATCH - Scottish Military Historical Society
• General Society of Colonial Wars 
• General Society of the War of 1812 
• Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) 
• Grand Army of the Republic in Illinois 
  Lists GAR posts in Illinois.
• The Grand Army of the Republic in Michigan 
• Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in Oklahoma 
  Lists GAR records available from the Oklahoma Historical Society.
• Johannes SCHWALM Historical Association 
  Society dedicated to Hessians staying in the US after the Revolutionary War.
• John H. Chipman, Jr. Post #89 G.A.R. Hall 
  A memorial site to the more than 500 late members of this Grand Army of the Republic Massachusett Post. History of G.A.R. Post #89, member photos, and service records. Historical & Genealogical research material of greater Beverly, MA area men who fought in the American Civil War.
• League of Researchers of South African Historical Battlefields 
• Legion Ville - First Training Camp of the United States Army, 1792 
  The Legion Ville Historical Society, Inc., The Anthony Wayne Historical Society, Inc. Includes transcriptions of West Point Orderly Books, 1792-1796.
• Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution 
• The Military Historical Society of Australia 
• Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States 
• National Civil War Association 
• National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865 
  Hereditary Society for women descendants (lineal and collateral)of Civil War Union ancestors.
• National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Home Page 
• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution  ~ Louisville, Kentucky
• National Society United States Daughters of 1812 
• The Orders and Medals Research Society 
  Members of this society research the military careers of the individuals whose names are found inscribed on medals.
• Phil Sheridan Camp 4, SUVCW 
  Phil Sheridan Camp 4, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War - based in San Jose, California and serving the California counties of Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco.
• Sons of Confederate Veterans Home Page 
  • Sons of Confederate Veterans Genealogy Network 
    • Confederate Ancestor Research Guide 
• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War 
• The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Kentucky Department, Official Website 
  Performs free lookups in the Kentucky Adjutant General's Report for both Union and Confederate Civil War soldiers from that state.
• The Southern Cross of Honor 
  Article by George G. Morgan.
• United Daughters of the Confederacy 
• United Daughters of the Confederacy, Mattie T, Wright Chapter 2533  ~ Jacksonville Beach, Florida
• Veterans of Foreign Wars 
• Veterans of Future Wars 
  A satirical college society founded in 1936.
• WDVA Wisconsin Veterans Museum Wisconsin Grand Army of the Republic Posts Page 
• The Western Front Association - Remembering 1914-1918 
• Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc. 

National Societies

• The American Historical Association 
• Association of Professional Genealogists  ~ Denver, Colorado
• Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations Inc. 
• Canada's National History Society 
• Dead Persons Society  ~ Australia
• The Federation of Family History Societies  ~ U.K.
• Federation of Genealogical Societies  ~ U.S.
• The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies  ~ U.K.
• National Genealogical Society  ~ Arlington, Virginia
  The National Genealogical Society, founded in 1903, is the premier national membership society for individuals, families, genealogical societies, family associations, libraries, and other groups that share a common interest in the field of genealogy. The NGS serves its members by: Providing genealogical skill development through education, information, publications, research assistance, and networking opportunities to all members of the society from the beginner to the most advanced professional genealogist; Establishing and promoting the highest standard of ethical research principles and scholarly practices; and, promoting interest in the fascinating field of genealogy by establishing important links with other groups worldwide and creating an even greater depth and breadth of knowledge and opportunities for our members.
• National Railway Historical Society 
• National Trust for Historic Preservation  ~ U.S.
• Nederlandse Genealogische Vereniging 
• Society of Australian Genealogists 
• Society of Genealogists, UK 
• Sveriges Släktforskarförbund / The Swedish Federation of Genealogical Societies 

Publications, Software & Supplies

• Cyndi's List Genealogy Bookstore 
  A categorized list of genealogy research books that looks a lot like my bookshelf at home.

Religious Organizations

• Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (AJGS) 
• Catholic Family History Society of London, England 
• The Catholic Knights of America 
  A fraternal benefits society.
  • History of the Catholic Knights of America 
• Fellowship of Brethren Genealogists 
• Knights of Columbus 
  • History of the Knights 
• Knights of Columbus 
  From Westminster Council #1393.
  • Emblems of the Order 
    Includes photographs of officer jewels.
  • Structure of the Order 
• Knights of Columbus Robes and Jewels of Council Officers 
  From Holy Rosary Church Knights of Columbus Council 11841. Clip art pictures of Council Officer Jewels.
• The National Huguenot Society 
  The National Huguenot Society is an organization devoted to: 1. Coordinating activities of member societies, and promoting and supporting fulfillment of their common purposes which include: a. perpetuating the memory and promoting the principles and virtues of the Huguenots; b. commemorating the great events of Huguenot history; c. collecting and preserving historical data and relics illustrative of Huguenot life, manners, and customs; 2. To give expression to the Huguenot tenets of faith and liberty, and to promote their understanding for the good of the United States; 3. To encourage and foster the organization of new member Societies within states, territories of the United States, and the District of Columbia where none currently exist.
• National Catholic Society of Foresters 
  A fraternal benefits society.
  • Our History 
• Presbyterian Historical Society  ~ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• The United States Catholic Historical Society 
• Woman's Christian Temperance Union 
  Many of our foremothers were members.
  • Contact Us! 
    See especially "How can I get information about a relative who was a member of the WCTU?".

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