Week 12: Membership (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

It isn't unusual to find our ancestors as members of a group, such as churches, school alumni, veterans’ organizations, or fraternal societies. Have you found an ancestor who was as member of a group? Or maybe you've made a discovery by being a member of a genealogical or historical society. Write about it this week! Feel free to post your links and stories in the comments. Click here to check out all the themes for 2023.

Several years ago, I gave a program to my genealogy society on Fraternal Societies. You might be able to find family members who belong to these societies based on symbols you may find on their gravestones.

Odd Fellows Tombstone example

One Fraternal organization that piqued my interest was “The Maccabees”. This is because my half siblings are McAbee(s). Their surname is McAbee, they are not members of the Fraternal organization. In doing their research, I have found their name spelled many ways through the years including the spelling of Maccabee.

The Maccabee’s started as the Knights of the Maccabees and was formed in 1878 in London, Ontario, Canada. Most active in the U.S. state of Michigan and proved low-cost insurance to members. It provided other final-expense related benefits such as society cemeteries. They were founded by members of the Order of Foresters. The group grew rapidly in Canada and several US States, reaching 10,000 members by 1880. 

Knight Of The Maccabee's Grave Marker

In 1911 the organization changed its name from the Knights of the Maccabees to simply the Maccabees. The Maccabees became a mutual life insurance company effective 1961, though they kept some fraternal features. In 1962 the group changed its name to the Maccabees Mutual Life Insurance Company. In the 1990’s the organization was demutualized and sold to the Royal Insurance Group and operated under the name Royal Maccabees Life Insurance Company. In 1999, the Royal Maccabees was sold by its parent company, Royal & Sun Alliance Financial Services to Swiss Re which merged it into its subsidiary, Reassure America Life Insurance Company. 

Remember to have fun and Just do Genealogy!