Does anyone understand the "reason" for this organization? I've got a Badge from the Leominster Lodge #86 in Leominster MA...it is really strange looking for an outsider like me...it has the red ribbon on one side with those words on it...with a cream colored banner with 2 rippled (3d) American Flags on it...with a round button that says "Independent Order of Odd Fellows" and in chains "FLT". On the otherside is a black ribbon with "in Memoriam" a holy bible with a skull & bones under it...and long spears through the backside..."leominster lodge #86 Leominster MA"...it is kinda spooky looking...the pin that holds it to your garment is kinda scalloped and it shows two hands shaking. It's like a reversible ribbon...could wear either way. The envelope it is in says "patented May 6 1890". There are other dates...such as badges covered by following patents...with dates ranging from June 1892 to Nov 1897. There is other information on the envelope too. Any ideas? Is this related to Indians? It came from the side of my family that I don't know anything about...and didn't think was Indian. Thanks for taking the time to read my note! Sharon Mehl skmehl@idir.net http://www.idir.net/~skmehl/ ----- Original Message ----- From: James H Granger <granger@worldnet.att.net> To: <Indian-Territory-Roots-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, December 27, 1998 4:00 PM Subject: Re: I.O.O.F >I think it stands for International Order of Odd Fellows, another fraternal >organization. >Jim > > >>I believe the I.O.O.F. stands for International Order Of Forestors. > >