Here in the US we have the International Order Of Odd Fellows. My neighbor is a member. PatC., BHCD Quakertown, PA US BLUROC1@worldnet.att.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Peter and Angela McMurtry To: ISLE-OF-WIGHT-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 3:13 AM Subject: [IoW] Foresters Friendly Soc IOW I emailed the Forester Friendly Society on the IOW and received the following reply re the Order . In case anyone is interested I have posted the reply below. Angela The AOF was established in England in 1834 as a one of a new breed of friendly society. Small Friendly Societies had grown in numbers, offerring sickness and death benefits to members, during the latter half of the 18th century. These were individual locally based societies. The Orders were more extensive, offering broader horizons to members through districts, whilst retaining many elements of autonomy for local branches, called Courts. As well as spreading across the UK, including the IOW, emigrants took with them the idea to many parts of the empire, including Australia and New Zealand. In Australia the largest Orders were the Grand United Order of Oddfellows and the Independent Order of Oddfellows (Manchester Unity). There were many Foresters Courts especially in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Back in the UK, the AOF had several Isle of Wight courts, initially in the South Western District, subsequently in an IOW District. Locations served by local courts included Cowes and Yarmouth. Unfortunately from a records point of view, local courts were essentially autonomous in their administration. There were no central membership records, and what have survived are patchy in their coverage ______________________________