Can I find out if my ancestor was a Freemason?

[willow154]

Second option:
Look for local newspapers on following site:
www.bl.uk/collections/newspapers.html
click on Catalogues (top of page)
click on Integrated catalogues (about 4 lines down)
click on search the integrated catalogue
click on catalogue subset search
Look down list and click on newspapers
Put in place (Hove)
You should then get a list of all the newspapers for that area, past and present.
Then it's up to you to decide which is appropriate.
You can visit the newspaper library at Colindale, North London - but this might not be easy, depending on where you're located. Or you try the local libraries, or newspapers, to see if they have archive copies.
But it's all useful stuff to know in any family history research.
If he's well-known he might just be in a national newspaper. I've got access to the Times archives through our local library (home use).
Anyway, hope this isn't all too confusing.
Let me know if I can help anymore.
Paulene

[willow154]

Might be worth doing simple google search.
Paulene

[Rena]

An other option is look in your local British Telecom Directory.
I see in my local directory there are a few addresses and telephone numbers under:  "Masonic Halls". 
Good Luck,
Rena

[sleepybarb]

Hello David ,there is a large masonic temple in London which holds the names of all masons,Cannot think of their website address at present ,but if you type in English Freemasonary you should get it up.They will be able to tell you the lodge and any chapters he was in.My Father was a mason and I went to the girl's masonic scholl so have visited there.
                               Barbara

[Mogsmum]

Hi David,

The United Grand Lodge of England is in London, at Freemasons’ Hall in Great Queen Street.   (If you've watched the BBC TV series 'Spooks' you'll be familiar with it, as it's the building they use as MI5 HQ)

Their website is http://www.ugle.org.uk/

You need to email them for genealogical enquiries at:

libmus [---at---] ugle.org.uk


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[Mumsie2131]

I think there were quite a few masonic temples in the Brighton area.
There was definitely one on Queens road, one on the Hove end of Western Road and one at the Worthing end (may have been in Worthing) of Worthing Road so there was obviously a large community.

[thehibberds]

A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread and sent me messages. 

I will persue the search at the library when I can get there.

Thanks to the links above I have established that Grand Lodge provides a search service which is free if you know which lodge your ancestor belonged to.  In my case, because I did not have that information the search was going to cost me £30 which I decided was not cost effective as I simply wanted to know whether or not my Grandfather had been a Freemason.

I must say that I am constantly astonished by the kindness of members of this forum and the time and trouble you take to help out.  Its much appreciated.

all the best

David

[Subaru]

Hi David

Have you thought about putting an advert in the local newspaper?  You wouldn't have to give names, just mention that you are trying to find out through family history if your grandfather was a member of the masonic lodge of that area.

You never know, you could be inundated with replies, and if he was a member, there could be records/information about him in that lodge.

Rosemary

[thehibberds]

Hello Rosemary

That sounds like a novel and very good idea and I will have to give it some serious thought.

all the best

David