Is the AOF in any way associated with the RAOB. RAOB were also well represented on the Island Pete ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter and Angela McMurtry" <palmtreeqld@optusnet.com.au> To: <ISLE-OF-WIGHT-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 8:13 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 > > ______________________________