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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Tyne Traveller on Monday 02 July 12 10:46 BST (UK)
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Can anyone advise on how to go about researching family members connections with the Freemasons? I have several family members who were Masons in the Newcastle-on-Tyne area and would like to know how to find out more about them. Do the Masons have any public records which can be consulted?
The photo shows George Frederick Bryce born c1883, who was apparently quite high up in the Masons hierarchy in Newcastle/Northumberland. There is a date of 1937 on the back. The inscription on the front says "G. Fred. Bryce PGD. Priv. G. Sec. N'land" I would like to know a bit more about what his position was, in which lodge, and something about the regalia.
His father George Thomas Bryce was also a member.
On the other side of the family, James Temple (1871-1939) was, according to family memory, also 'high-up' in the Freemasons.
Any info on where to go next would be most helpful.
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Why not contact the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland http://northumberlandmasons.org/home/contact-us.html
Stan
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Thanks for the link Stan - I've sent them an email.
best wishes, Janet
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Hi Janet
Have you thought about contacting the Library and Museum here?
http://www.freemasonry.london.museum/family-history/
They've been really helpful with my research.
Dawn
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Hi Dawn. Thanks for the link. It looks as if this is an expensive option if I don't already know the Lodge name or number since they charge £30 pername without this :(. The service seems to be free if the Lodge name is already known - so maybe I'll be able to get this from some other source first?
Best wishes, Janet.
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Hi Tyne traveller
I have googled www. tynecastlelodge.org.uk. which gives you some history of the lodge and other lodges. It also gives you the number of the lodge, and the others.
I have also done some research on other lodges, and I have not been charged and treated with courtesy. It is worth trying the above !
Maddie
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Thanks Maddie - sounds hopeful - maybe I will contact them.
Best wishes, Janet.
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Just to let you all know that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland has been most helpful. They gave me a full resume of Fred's 'career' in the Masons, including all the official posts he held and details of his addresses and occupations during the time he was a member. They could not help with his father or James Temple without Lodge names or numbers.
I'm trying to contact Tynecastle Lodge now since this seems the right area for the other two according to addresses I have for them.
Best wishes, Janet.
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I am delighted to hear that you have had some very helpful advice. That is how it should be !!!
Do let us know how you get on.
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I found this on the Masonic Province of Devon website. It may clarify some of the above.
The Library at Grand Lodge, Freemason’s Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ, holds records on all members of the Craft. We are advised that members of the public are currently unable to visit the Library to conduct their own genealogical research, but the Library undertakes such research on the enquirer's behalf. If the name or number of a lodge that a man belonged to is known there is no charge, but if this information is not known the research is undertaken on payment of a search fee. The charge for such research is £30 per name and this charge is not refundable in the event of a negative result.
Regards... Andrew.
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Thanks Andrew. I think this is what Dawn was referring to as well.
I have had a lot of help from the Grand Lodge of Northumberland and have pieced together George Frederick's Masonic history quite well. He reached the level of Assistant Provincial Grand Master in Northumberland so they had a lot of info on him.
I think before stumping up £60 to do George Thomas Bryce and James Temple I might see whether I can first find which Lodges they were with from some other route. I did email a couple of Lodges in the Newcastle area, but they have not replied!
Best wishes, Janet.
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Janet
Even though you have emailed some of the Lodges, the officers may not go in every week. Most lodges meet once a month, but if I remember rightly, they might not meet in the July / August period.
It will depend on how often they retrieve their messages !!
Good luck
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Thanks for the info Maddie - I haven't lost hope, but I have stopped holding my breath! ;D
Janet
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Further to my post above, I only found out about my Grandfather being a Freemason when I was looking through a newspaper archive online.
I'm assuming he was mentioned only because he held a prominent position therein, the articles also gave the Lodge name and number.
The website is britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk and I put the surname of my research in and it came up with relevant articles. To read fully, it is a pay to view site.
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Thanks Andrew - worth a look!
Janet.