I am reprinting this from the Washington State Genealogical Society Newsletter. I thought it may be of interest to someone. Modern Woodmen of America Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal beneficiary society. The use of their records, as well as other fraternal life insurance organizations' records, as secondary records, could help to knock down a brick wall. These three features - the lodge system, a representative government and payment of insurance benefits - are what create records of use to genealogists and historians. Modern Woodmen of America was organized in 1883 in Lyons, Iowa. As you prepare your research, be sure that Modern Woodmen of America was active in the state your ancestor lived. Although Modern Woodmen did no go into the southern states or large communities until the late 1890's or early 1900's, it doesn't mean your ancestor couldn't have been insured and belonged to a camp in a northern state. Their records do not come under public domain, they are privately held. You can request a free copy of their Guide by writing to MWA, 1701 1st Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201, or calling Gail Ann Levis at 309.786.6481, or email to gail.ann.levis@modern-woodmen.org <mailto:gail.ann.levis@modern-woodmen.org>. Their website is http://www.modern-woodmen.org <http://www.modern-woodmen.org/>, and they have a page for genealogists that will guide you through the process to submit a request for research.