Advice
Freemasonary
A Guide for Genealogists, Researching Masonic Records
authored and published by John S. Yates, 1998, which gives the
genealogist an overview of how to gain information from any of
the early Masonic records. The book provides a guide for those
interested in gathering information on those within the Masonic
Orders, where to write with addresses for every state in the
Union, and when each lodge was charted. Masonic Lodges outside
the United States are given from Austrialia, New Zealand,
England, Scotland, to Ireland.
The book explains the Masonic degrees as well as gives all
states addresses. Addresses are also provided for the Grand
Scottish Rite bodies throughout the U S, England, and Scotland.
It tells what to expect the early records to tell the
genealogist about their ancestor, listing fifteen different
items of information from each member's card when
available--when they have been recorded for posterity.
There are reminders and sample letters provided for requesting
information (both nationally and locally) and success stories
given. It also provides an example of what a record looks like,
what to expect on the record, and answers to questions about the
Masons you always wanted to ask.
This book even goes so far as to explain some of the other
Masonic organizations that are open to the wives, mothers,
daughters, widows, and sisters of the Master Masons, from which
more information can be gathered.
Mr. Yates (Past Pres. of the Texas Genealogical Association,
Past President of the North Central Texas Chapter No. 36 Sons of
Confederate Veterans, and a member of the Sons of the Republic
of Texas), also goes so far as to furnish where many lodges go
for their information other than local/public libraries. He
gives the addresses to the Masons' publishing companies and
communications that relate to Masonic related information.
By searching Masonic Records some researchers have found the
clues they needed to find lost ancestors and provide clues to
what their character, looks, and personality were while living,
something that gives substance to the search for an individual
one can never meet.
Contributed Nov 1999 by Bev Aylor
