Societies and Symbols Found In Cemeteries Part I A-G

The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, commonly known as Shriners and abbreviated A.A.O.N.M.S., established in 1870 is an appendant body to Freemasonry, based in the United States. The organization is best-known for the Shriners Hospitals for Children they administer and the red fezzes that members wear. The organization is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. There are approximately 340,000 members from 193 temples (chapters) in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Republic of Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Europe & Australia.

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is commonly known as the Scottish Rite or AASR. It is one of several appendant groups of the worldwide fraternity known as Freemasonry. (right)

AF&AM - Ancient Free & Accepted Masons Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 in Scotland and Ireland, over a quarter of a million under the Jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England and just under two million in the United States.
 
 
 

ALOH - American Legion of Honor
Est. following WW I to assist veterans and their families. Also consist of American Legion Honor Guard which frequently marches in parades and participates in Military Funerals and honor salutes.
 
 
 
 
 

  AMD - Allied Masonic Degrees of USA The emblem consists of four seperate symbols combined into one; the Triangles, the Compasses, the Crown and the Cross. The four symbols represent the epochs of Masonry covered by the various rituals of the Allied Degrees. The first symbol, the Triangles, stands for Noachite Masonry and the time surrounding the building of the Ark. It encompasses the degree of Royal Ark Mariner in the AMD system. The second symbol, the Compasses, stands for Solomonic Masonry and the time surrounding the building and rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem. It encompasses the degrees of Excellent Master and Grand Tyler of Solomon. The third symbol, the Crown, stands for Royal Masonry and the instances where royalty has had an influence on Masonry or Masonic characters. It encompasses the degrees of Secret Monitor (David/Saul) and Knight of Constantinople (Constantine). The fourth symbol, the Cross, stands for Christian Masonry and the instances where Christianity has had an influence on Masonry or Masonic characters. It encompasses the degree of St.Lawrence the Martyr.
 

 
 
The Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans is the playground for the Odd Fellows Lodge and members must be an Odd Fellow in good standing to be a member of the AMOS sanctorum. AMOS is involved in various community activities and projects, the proceeds of which go to charities in the local community.
 

AMVETS or American Veterans is a volunteer-led organization formed by World War II veterans which accepts honorably discharged veterans as members. AMVETS is one of the most respected volunteer-led organizations in the country that provides, not only support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, but also community services that enhance the quality of life for this nation's citizens.

AOF - Ancient Order Of Foresters
The Ancient Order of Foresters is a friendly society which was formed in 1834. The society is now known as Foresters Friendly Society, and has approximately 70,000 members. The Society was formed in Rochdale in August 1834, when over 300 branches of the Royal Foresters society (established in the 18th century) formed the new Ancient Order of Foresters.




AOFB - Angelic Order of Fairy Bells - no information found.

AOH -Ancient Order Of Hibernians The Acient Order of Hibernians is a Catholic, Irish American Fraternal Organization founded in New York City on May 4th, 1836.

AOKMC - Ancient Order Of Knights of Mystic Chain The AOKMC was founded in Reading, Pennsylvania in 1870. Though it seems to have been quite popular in PA, it doesn’t seem to have made much headway outside of that state—it is not listed among the top forty fraternal orders in the world almanac of 1896 and probably had no more than 10,000-15,000 members at its peak. Like most small orders, it did not survive the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Virtually all jewels, medals, and pins from this order seem to be found in Pennsylvania. AOKMC medals at pictured right.

AOM - Ancient Order of Mysteries no info found.

AOUW -Ancient Order Of United Workmen The AOUW was the first organization to offer an insurance benefit. Founded prior to the Civil War, it provided a $2,000. benefit to the family of a deceased member. This was enough to pay off the mortgage and give rise to the saying "He bought the farm" as a way of referring to the death of a man.




BARE - Benefit Association of Railway Employees
1913: Brotherhood of All Railway Workers is founded on January 13, operating out of a one-desk office in downtown Chicago. 1917: The organization adopts a new name, Benefit Association of Railway Employees (B.A.R.E.). 1922: B.A.R.E. becomes a mutual insurance company, owned by its policy owners.
1923: The Company purchases its first home office building in Chicago's uptown.
1929: The Company signs up its first group insurance holder outside the railroad industry.
1945: The life insurance department is established.
1963: The Company celebrates its 50th anniversary and changes its name to Benefit Trust Life Insurance Company

BAY - Brotherhood of American Yeomen The Brotherhood of American Yeomen, founded in 1897, was one of a vast number of fraternal benefit assessment societies established toward the end of the 19th century. The lodges were called Homesteads, and there was a strong Christian element to the rituals and ceremonies, which also praised the Magna Carta and the English language. The Homesteaders was a result of a schism within the Yeomen. In 1917, the Yeomen changed its financial footing to assure greater stability, and in 1931it transformed itself into the Mutual Life Insurance Company. The order is now extinct.



B of LF&E - Brotherhood of Local Firemen and Engineers The Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen was founded on December 1, 1873, at Port Jervis, New York, to provide mutual support for railroad firemen. The Brotherhood initially emphasized insurance, but by the late nineteenth century had branched out into labor-management relations.

At the turn of the century, the organization changed its name to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen (BLFE) after permitting engineers to join its ranks. In 1969, the union merged with the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen, the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, and the Switchmen's Union of North America to form the United Transportation Union.

BPOE - Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

BPOEW - Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World
 The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE; also often known as the Elks Lodge or simply The Elks) is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868. It is one of the leading fraternal orders in the U.S., claiming nearly one million members.

CBKA - Commandery Benevolent Knights Association

CE - Christian Endeavor A young minister, Dr. Francis Clark, founded Christian Endeavour in his church, Williston Congregational, in 1881. He wanted an organisation, which would help young people who had just given their lives to Christ to grow in their faith and to be trained for His service.

The CLEVELAND GRAYS were organized on 28 Aug. 1837 as an independent volunteer militia company to bolster the local constabulary and to protect the city in case of invasion from Canada. Originally called the Cleveland City Guards, the membership decided that the organization's name should be taken from the color adopted for their uniforms--gray. Thus, in 1838 the company became known as the Cleveland Grays. Simultaneously, the members adopted the motto "Semper Paratus" (Always Prepared). The Grays saw military service as a unit in the CIVIL WAR, the SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, the Mexican Punitive Expedition (1916), and WORLD WAR I. The Grays were the first company to leave Cleveland during the Civil War. In Apr. 1861 they were designated Co. E, 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). They saw action at Vienna Station and First Bull Run. During the war they also served in the 84th OVI and were on duty with the 150th OVI when Confederate general Jubal Early attacked Washington in the summer of 1864. During the Spanish-American War, the Grays petitioned the state and were admitted to the National Guard as the 1st Battalion of Engineers, 10th OVI. After the war they returned to their independent status. In 1916 they again petitioned the state and joined Ohio troops participating in the Punitive Expedition against Mexico. World War I, during which the Grays saw action in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of 1918 on the Western Front, was the last active service of the Grays as a unit. During subsequent conflicts, including the Persian and Gulf Wars, individual members have served in the armed forces.
Today, the purpose of the Grays is to preserve the military heritage of Greater Cleveland, promote patriotism, and good fellowship. The organization is headquartered at GRAYS ARMORY (ca. 1893), 1234 Bolivar Rd. Membership is open to all men and women interested in military history. Membership in 1994 was 250.

 
CDA- The Catholic Daughters of the Americas  is a national women’s organization dedicated to the Blessed Mother. CDA's mission is to promote unity and charity through fellowship and service. The Catholic Daughters support local, state and national charities, provide scholarships and perform charitable work.
 
 
 
 
CFUA - Croatian Fraternal Union of America Late in the fall of the year 1893, a young man of 25 years came to Pittsburgh from Chicago, imbued with the two ideas, first to establish a Croatian newspaper, and second, to organize a society of mutual aid to Croatian people in this country. The young man was Zdravko V. Muzina, who had been living in Chicago for approximately a year prior to moving to Pittsburgh, PA. Members signed up and began paying dues to provide life insurance protection, accident and health insurance for themselves and their families. The Organizationhas a long history of charitable contributions.
 
COOF Catholic Order of Foresters

Established in 1883, Catholic Order of Foresters is a not-for-profit fraternal insurance organization with more than 130,000 members nationwide. Operations are conducted in 30 states and the District of Columbia by a field force of more than 250 local agents who provide members with friendly, personal service. COF ranks among the largest fraternal life insurance societies in the United States. COOF's commitment to caring began in 1883 at Holy Family Parish in Chicago, Illinois. Back then, impoverished immigrants were streaming into the United States, seeking a better life. When tragedy struck and families lost their breadwinner, friends and neighbors typically collected money for burial expenses and to keep survivors from starving.

D of A Daughters of America

Daughters of America was formed 1891 in Bennet, PA as an auxiliary to the Jr. Order of United American Mechanics. Its first charter, issued in Allegheny County PA was in the name of The National Council Daughters of America. Although intended as an auxiliary organization, it did not receive recognition from the male order until 1926.
The eagle and stars signify Patriotism and the Holy Bible signifies religion.

 
DAC Daughters of the American Colonists, founded 1921

Any woman who is a citizen of the United State of America, of good moral character, who has attained her eighteenth year, shall be eligible to membership, provided that she shall be acceptable to the Society and shall be the lineal descendant of an ancestor who rendered civil or military service in any of the colonies prior to July 4, 1776. Legal adoption shall not qualify for lineal descent. Membership is by invitation only.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage society that is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to patriotism, historic preservation, and education. The DAR was founded in 1890 by four women whose common bond was the fact that each had fathers or grandfathers who were patriots of the American Revolution. The founders of the Daughters of the American Revolution sought to create an organization that would "perpetuate the memory and spirit of the women and men who achieved American independence."
NSDAR and DAR are acronyms and both refer to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and are used interchangeably.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) is a women's heritage association dedicated to honoring the memory of those who served and died in service to the Confederate States of America (CSA). UDC began as the National Association of the Daughters of the Confederacy, organized in 1894 by Caroline Meriwether Goodlett and Anna Davenport Raines. It traces its lineage to older heritage associations such as the Daughters of the Confederacy in Missouri and the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Confederate Soldiers Home in Tennessee. The National Association changed its name to the UDC in 1895. It was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia in 1919. Its motto is “Love, Live, Pray, Think, Dare”.





DAV Disabled American Veterans
Formed in 1920 and chartered by Congress in 1932, the million-member DAV is the official voice of America's service-connected disabled veterans -- a strong, insistent voice that represents all of America's 2.1 million disabled veterans, their families and survivors. Its nationwide network of services -- free of charge to all veterans and members of their families -- is totally supported by membership dues and contributions from the American public. Not a government agency, the DAV's national organization receives no government funds.
 

DUV - Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Daughters, direct descendants, from Veterans of the Union Army who fought in the defense and for the preservation of our Nation during the American Civil War. 

FOE - Fraternal Order of Eagles
Fraternal Order of Eagles International (F.O.E.) is a fraternal organization that was founded on February 6, 1898, in Seattle, Washington by a group of six theater owners including John Cort (the first president), brothers John W. and Tim J. Considine, Harry (H.L.) Leavitt (who later joined the Loyal Order of Moose), Mose Goldsmith and Arthur Williams.[1] Originally made up of those engaged in one way or another in the performing arts, the Eagles grew and claimed credit for establishing the Mother's Day holiday in the United States as well as the "impetus for Social Security". Their lodges are known as "aeries".

FOF - Fraternal Order of Firefighters  provide assistance to victims of fire by supplying clothes, dishes, and other household items. It is our goal to educate children and adults about fire safety and the hazards of fire and smoke. An active member of the lodge must be a regular full-time firefighter engaged in regular firefighting for a municipality, city, town, county, state or federal agency from which he or she receives compensation. Active members are allowed to vote in the proceedings of the Lodge, receives a $7500 life insurance policy, and a key to the Lodge to use at any time. Active membership is $15.00 a month.

FOO - Fraternal Order Orioles The Fraternal Order Orioles is a social organization that was organized in August 1910. It is comprised of men and women who want to make a difference in their respective communities by serving the community in a variety of ways. On the local level, Nests and Auxiliaries sponsor various fund raising events for members and their families; provide food for the needy during the holidays; support local projects, such as the YMCA/YWCA, rehabilitation centers, hospice care, etc.; award scholarships to members or their immediate family members so they can continue their education; as well as participate in many other functions.

FOP - Fraternal Order of Police The Fraternal Order of Police is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 325,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges.

GAR Grand Army of the Republic see also: SOV sons of veterans

By 1890, it had almost half a million members; in 1949, the six surviving members permanently concluded its activities.

Founded in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson, membership was limited to honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had served between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865.

GLDS Grand Lodge Daughters of Scotia
The objects of the order are: To bring together (a) Wives, Widows, Mothers, Sisters, Daughters of Clansmen of the Order of Scottish Clans; (b) Women born in Scotland; (c) Women tracing Scottish descent from a grandparent or great-grandparent; (d) Daughters of members of Scottish descent; (e) Legally adopted Daughters of members of the Daughters of Scotia and Clansmen; (f) Step-Daughters of members of the Daughters of Scotia and Clansmen (g) Mothers of Daughters (the latter born in Scotland) members of our Order; 'A wife whose husband is of Scottish descent, whether he is a Clansman, or not.'