United States Societies

Genealogical and Historical Societies
There are many societies which may help family historians. Genealogical, historical, lineage, veterans, and ethnic societies are especially helpful because of the records and resources they collect, transcribe, and publish. Often their records contain birth, marriage, death, and biographical information.

Genealogical and historical societies often maintain a genealogical file for families in the area and may sponsor publications. Many counties have their own genealogical societies and they can be found on their county pages. Information for state historical and genealogical societies are on state societies pages. Click the state below.

Genealogical Societies
The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is an umbrella organization of over 450 genealogical societies. FGS does not do genealogical research. Their business office can identify local genealogical societies and supply their addresses and telephone numbers.

Federation of Genealogical Societies P.O. Box 200940 Austin, TX 78720-0940 Telephone: 1-888-FGS-1500 Fax: 1-866-FGS-1350 Website Email: use FGS contact form

You may also be interested in the activities and services of the National Genealogical Society. Founded in 1903, NGS is a nonprofit dedicated to genealogical education, exemplary standards of research, and the preservation of genealogical records. It is the premier national society for everyone from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, and guidance in research. NGS sponsors research trips, an annual conferences and publishes the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and NGS Magazine. The address is: National Genealogical Society 6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 810 Falls Church, VA 22207 Telephone: 703-525-0050 Website

Historical Societies
American Association for State and Local History 1717 Church St Nashville TN 37203 AASLH

AASLH provides leadership and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all Americans.

Lineage and Hereditary Societies
Soon after the American Revolution, prominent citizens began to form exclusive social organizations and join hereditary and patriotic societies. Many societies were organized in the late 1880s and 1890s when membership in these organizations became very popular.

These societies are generally involved in educational, cultural, social, and other programs to preserve the documents and memory of the past. They often maintain libraries and museums that can help you in your research. Most publish a periodical or newsletter, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine.

One of your ancestors or relatives may have submitted application papers containing his pedigree in order to join a lineage society. These records often include multi-generation pedigrees and information from family Bibles, death records, or military documents. They may also lead you to someone else interested in your family. Unfortunately, these papers have not always been carefully documented, but they can provide excellent clues for further research. Some societies allow only members to use their records.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) 1776 D Street NW Washington, D.C. 20006 (202) 628-1776 Website: Daughters of the American Revolution

The Mayflower Society PO Box 3297 Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02361-3297 email: support@themayflowersociety.org website: The Mayflower Society
 * 1620-1920 General Society of Mayflower Descendants Membership Applications, 1620-1920 at American Ancestors — index & images ($)

National Society of the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century 1300 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036-1502 (202) 293-1700 website: National Society of the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century

Sons of the American Revolution 809 West Main Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 Phone: (502) 589-1776 website: Sons of the American Revolution

Fraternal Organizations
Your ancestor or relative may have belonged to an association, lodge, or secret society whose membership is based on common interests, religion, or ethnicity. Many sources, such as local histories, biographies, obituaries, tombstones, family records, and artifacts may give you clues that an ancestor belonged to a fraternal society. Examples of these societies include: The Philalethes Society (Masons) website: The Philatheles Society The Ancient Order of Hibernians webite: Ancient Order of Hibernians of America Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) 2750 North Lakeview Avenue Chicago, IL 60614-1889 Phone: (773) 755-4700 Fax: (773) 755-4790 website: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) 422 Trade Street Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101 USA Phone: 800-235-8358 website: International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Knights of the Maccabees website: Knights of the Maccabees Lithuanian Alliance of America 307 W 30th St. New York NY, 10001 Phone: 917-501-3275 Email: laasla307@gmail.com website: Lithuanian Alliance of America Loyal Order of Moose phone: (630) 906-3658 email: helpdesk@mooseintl.org website: Loyal Order of Moose The Loyal Order of Moose was organized in 1888, it is a fraternal organization focused on the needs of families, children in need, and seniors. The headquarters is in Mooseheart, Illinois. Modern Woodmen of America 1701 1st Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 Phone: 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811 website: Modern Woodmen of America The Modern Woodmen of America was organized 1883 in Iowa, a fraternal benefit society. It offers financial services and fraternal member benefits throughout the US. The headquarters are in Rock Island, Illinois. Order of The Eastern Star 1618 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009-2549 Phone: (202) 667-4737 Fax:(202) 462-5162 website: Order of The Eastern Star

These societies were involved in political, social, and financial activities. Around 1900, for example, there were over 2,000,000 members involved in fraternal insurance programs.

For more information about fraternal societies, see Alvin J. Schmidt, Fraternal Organizations. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1980.

The records of fraternal organizations may exist in a society or business archive. Some genealogical information may be obtained through correspondence. FamilySearch Library has histories of fraternal societies but very few records. In the FamilySearch Catalog, find:

Most information about fraternal organizations in the Author/Title Search under the organization name.

Some organization histories are in the Place Search under the locality, then topics such as SOCIETIES, GENEALOGY, HISTORY, OCCUPATIONS, MINORITIES, and PUBLIC RECORDS.

African American
There are several African American societies and organizations that may have information of value to your genealogical research. You may find it helpful to join one of these societies to gain information and knowledge about the area your ancestor came from, as well as access to their publications.

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society P.O. Box 73086 Washington, D.C. 20056 Publications: Journal, AAHGS News Homepage Email: info@aahgs.org See more African American Societies

Chinese
Chinese Historical Society of America 965 Clay Street San Francisco, CA 94108 phone: (415) 391-1188 x101 email: info@chsa.org website: Chinese Historical Society of America

"The Chinese Historical Society of America Museum opened in its landmark Julia Morgan-designed Chinatown YWCA building in 2001. Founded in 1963, CHSA is the oldest and largest organization in the country dedicated to the documentation, study, and presentation of Chinese American history. Through exhibitions, publications, and educational, public programming, CHSA promotes the contributions and legacy of Chinese America."

Danish
The National Danish-American Genealogical Society c/o Danish American Center 3030 West River Parkway South Minneapolis, MN 55406 website: The National Danish-American Genealogical Society

German
American Historical Society of Germans from Russia 631 D St Lincoln, NE 68502 Phone: 402-474-3363 Email: [mailto:ahsgr@ahsgr.org ahsgr@ahsgr.org] website: American Historical Society of Germans from Russia

Hispanic
Genealogical Hispanic Society of America P.O. Box 3534Pueblo, CO 81005-3040 email:president@gshaa.org email:gsha.secretary@gmail.com website: Genealogical Hispanic Society of America social media: Facebook group

Italian
Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America 219 E St NE Washington, DC 20002 phone: 800-552-OSIA fax: 202-546-8168 email: nationaloffice@osia.org website: Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America

Jewish
American Jewish Historical Society 15 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011 Phone: 212-294-6160 Fax: 212-294-6161 Email: info@ajhs.org website: American Jewish Historical Society

Norwegian
Norwegian-American Genealogical Association 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Suite 100 Mendota Heights, MN 55120 website: Norwegian-American Genealogical Association

Polish
Polish Genealogical Society of America 984 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60642-4101 email: contactus@pgsa.org website: Polish Genealogical Society of America

Swedish
Swedish American Museum 5211 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60640 phone: 773.728.8111 email: museum@samac.org website: Swedish American Museum

Additional Resources
Strengthening a Genealogical Society on FamilySearch Wiki