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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: Canterburynorth on Monday 12 October 09 07:26 BST (UK)
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Hi all,
I wonder if anybody has people that have been connected to the Druid or Forresters Lodge.
I have been trying to find archives for both of these Lodges, I have tried the local museum of the town where both my guys lived which keeps fantastic archives but unfortunatly not for these friendly societys (heaps for masons)
I have had no luck with google either, can anyone tell me if they have had experience in this department ;)
Would the Christchurch Library have this?
Thanks for reading.
Leandra
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You could try the Otago Library
http://www.library.otago.ac.nz/pdf/hoc_fr_bulletins/Bull_43_Lodges.pdf - This article mentions the Hocken Archives based in Dunedin - the library may be able to provide more information on exactly where.
"HOCKEN ARCHIVES
The Hocken’s collection of Lodge archives has built up over
the last four or five years and comprises the following records,
which vary from a complete run of minute books and other
records to a single item. The lodges are based in Dunedin
unless otherwise stated.
Ancient Order of ForestersCourt Enterprise, No. 3990.
Court Excelsior, No. 6128.
Court King Edward’s Pride, No. 8214, Charter.
Court Little John, No. 6837.
Court Pride of the Leith, No. 3992.
Court Pride of Roslyn, No. 8331.
Court St. Andrew, No. 6127.
Court Woodland’s Pride, No. 8041.
Good luck in your search.
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Hi Leandra
Am assuming the "Christchurch Library question" means that you're wanting archives of Lodges in the Canterbury region ?
The MacMillan Brown Library (University of Canterbury) holds archival material for the Ancient Order of Forresters. (See their website).
Lu
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Hi again Leandra
Yes ... worthwhile having a look at Christchurch Library website too. Try their online catalogue of holdings ... or an email enquiry to the Library's Aotearoa centre.
Archives NZ hold files of annual returns from numerous lodges (all over NZ) and for numerous years ... though I suspect you won't be wanting anything that BORING ? :D
Seems histories have been written for Lodges - any for the Canterbury region are likely available in Christchurch - but also check the National Library of NZ catalogue on their website.
* Do you have the names of the Lodges you're wanting info for ??
Lu
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Few of my husband ancestors were members in a forester lodge ( Court Royal Oak, No. 6532, Ancient Order of Foresters, more exactly)
I found that about this very lodge :
The Ancient Order Of Foresters
The Ancient Order of Foresters or as it is known today, Foresters, originated in England, the first recorded Foresters meeting being held in Leeds in 1834. The Order established its first branch (court) in Australia in Victoria in 1849. Foresters was set up as a non-profit organisation. The founding principles of the society being to provide financial and social benefits as well as support to members and their families in times of unemployment, sickness, death, disability and old age. Foresters played a particularly active role in the lives of members and their families during times of crisis in the Depression and both World Wars. Foresters membership growth was significant during and up to the mid 1940's. At this stage the society had nearly one hundred branches (courts) spread throughout Victoria, with representation in all states of Australia. During this period funds raised by Foresters contributed to the construction of approximately twenty Foresters halls throughout the state. These facilities were utilised for meetings and community purposes and halls were used as refuges in times of trauma such as bushfires and floods. In the post Second World War period membership began to decline as the social circumstances improved due to the growth of the economy and an abundance of work and improvement in the provision of government benefits. Although the importance of such groups as the Ancient Order of Foresters has declined in recent years, the society through a core of loyal and dedicated members, has never wavered from its original objectives and mission to "serve the community and deserving groups by involvement in social activities and fund raising for charities."
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Hi everyone,
Thank you all for your posts, both my men lived in Rangiora about 30 from Christchurch, so were members of the local lodges.
I am not having much joy yet for local lodge archives but have found an address in Christchurch for an existing foresters lodge, so I will contact them perhaps they can help.
The Druids must have been quite a big lodge so I live in hope ;) in my gg grandfathers obituary it said he held all offices in the lodge so I was hoping to get a photo, but I will keep at it.
Thanks again for the helpful information :) :)
Leandra
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You've probably gone past this level of information already but here is a list of the Canterbury Forrester Lodges in the 1880's, if they were Rangoons then Kaiapoi would have been their local branch, perhaps they have records at the Kaiapoi Musuem.
Court Star of Canterbury, No. 2309, Bro. W. Buckley, Secretary, Foresters' Hall, Oxford Terrace, Christchurch.
Court Queen of the Isles, No. 2703, Bro. Smith, Secretary, Foresters Hall, Lyttelton.
Court Pride of Courtenay, No. 6031, Bro. G.F. White, Secretary, Courtenay.
Court Star of Ashburton, No. ——, Bro. Barrett, Secretary, Ashburton.
Court Thistle of the Forest, No. 6494, Bro. W.D. Marks, Secretary, Sydenham.
Court Woodford, No. 6583, Bro. ———, Secretary, Kaiapoi.
Court Pride of Richmond, No. 6584, Bro. T.G. Strange, Secretary, Linwood.
Court Pride of Papanui, No. 6585, Bro. Osborne, Secretary, Papanui.
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Hi Corkscrew,
Thanks so much for that information, no I hadn't got that far! Will absoloutly try the Kaiapoi museum.
Kind regards
leandra
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Hi Leandra.
I have seen an article somewhere about druid lodges in NZ. I will have asearch round and come back to you.
Both the Druids and the Foreseters are stil going. It may be possible to try and contact what is left of them. What years are you talking about?
Regards
Barry
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Hi Barry,
Thanks so much for the post. :) My gg grandfather was in the Druid Lodge from about 1895 until 1940. My other Grandfather was in the Foresters from about 1930 until the late 60's.
Cheers
Leandra
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Hi Leandra
This is the info I can find. There were two main Druid orders; an original Ancient Order of Druids (AOD) formed in 1781 and a United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD) formed in 1833 as a split from the AOD. The AOD was a fraternal society like the masons. The UAOD were a friendly society, similar to a fraternal society but offering members defined benefits like sick pay, funeral costs etc.
Your relative was most liklely a member of the UAOD. The info I have is from a 1878 lodge list when the first NZ lodge is listed as Pionerr; Templar Hll in
Worcester-street, Christchurch, by Past Arch Druid Bro. Solomons, of Melbourne, at that time residing at Dunedin.
Two further Lodges were opned the Hope of St. Albans and the Mistletoe Lodges;
By 1882, 44 lodges, with 2536 members. There were eight districts in New Zealand, numbered respectively, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, and 27. The District Presidents in Canterbury are Bro. D.S. Sutherland, P.A., Mistletoe Lodge, Christchurch; Bro. J. Taylor, P.A. Lyttelton Heart of Oak Lodge, Lyttelton; Bro. G.W. Luxton, P.A., Bud of Hope Lodge, Rangiora; and Bro. G. Bishop, P.A., Star of Anglesea Lodge, Southbridge. In Nov. 1883, the advisability of forming a Grand Lodge of the Order in New Zealand (from http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-MosIllu-t1-body1-d6-d8.html). There is also info on the same site about the Forresters.
Hope this helps
Barry
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Hi again Barry,
Thankyou ever so much for the information, you are very kind.
I found it very interesting, my gg grandfathers obituary said he held every office in the Lodge over the years. He also wore a large ring, my Dad thought it might be part of being a member.
Hopefully I will find out more, I have found a contact phone number now for the Druid lodge so I may be able to find the details of gg grandfather.
I live in hope ;)
Thanks again so much Barry
Leandra
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There is one piece of information incorrect in this quote.
The first Ancient Order of Foresters did not start in Victoria in 1849 because there was a group in Sydney in 1848 (my gg grandfather) being one of the brothers!!!
I have a newspaper article showing this. I think they started in Sydney around 1846 but I stand to be corrected on that date.
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I know it's been a while since this topic was started but would be interested to know if the original poster had any luck tracking down any records, I have discovered my husband's Great grandfather William Bailey was a Druid in Christchurch, and wondered if they might have a photo of him.
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Hi Sandynz,
The OP hasn't been on the forum since 2020. I hope you get a reply.
Spades