Masonic Lodge of Scotland

[Ann12]

Hi All,

My Grandfather was a soldier and as far as I know he didn't come from a wealthy/landed family.  However, he belonged to the Masonic Lodge of Scotland.  Both my Grandmother and mother were members of The Eastern Star?? whatever that maybe!

My question is, why would a relatively poor soldier be admitted to this Lodge?  I thought it was only open to people with money/connections.

Thanks

Anna

[D ap D]

There was an article in this months Hel Achau - Clwyd FHS magazine.

Can't remember the exact details, but will try and give the gist from memory.

Lodges tended to have fanciful names. Anybody could apply to join a lodge, but they were initially for qualified tradesmen.

They were charitable institutions, who were driven underground during WW2, and recently made a concious decision to "open up".

Other similar organisations are Oddfellows.

[Reggie]

There was an article in this months Hel Achau - Clwyd FHS magazine.

Can't remember the exact details, but will try and give the gist from memory.

Lodges tended to have fanciful names. Anybody could apply to join a lodge, but they were initially for qualified tradesmen.

They were charitable institutions, who were driven underground during WW2, and recently made a concious decision to "open up".

Other similar organisations are Oddfellows.

Not anybody could join a lodge.  A person had to be an upright person in the community, law abiding etc with good intentions. There are quite strict  entry requirements.

Reg

[Reggie]

Anna

I posted a reply a moment ago and nothing came through so here I go again. 

You don't have to be rich to belong to a masonic lodge.  There are certain requirements regarding a persons position in society and that is he must be a good citizen, upright and good character etc.  Money had nothing to do with it.

You can write to the Grand Lodge of Scotland and request your Grand dad's masonic information.  The address is:
The Grand Secretary
The Grand Lodge of Scotland
Fremason's Hall
96 George Street
Edinburgh, Scotland, EH2 3DH

State the approximate date etc and they may get back to you.  I got my Great Grand dad's info from them.

The Order of the Eastern Star is an equivalent to a masonic lodge for women.  Most wives of masons would join that Order.

Hope this helps.

Reg

[RJ_Paton]

The Eastern Star is the female side of the Masonic Lodge .... often both "Star" and "Lodge" meetings would be held in the one building (on different days) and each had/have their own hierarchial structure.

[D ap D]

....
Anybody could apply to join a lodge, .....

Having not qualified this statement any further, not having the info to hand, I did say apply to join, not join. Meaning that not every application is/was successful, and was dependent on fulfilling certain criteria.

This is opposed to general opinion that membership was by invitation only.

 

[Londongirl]

I've just seen your post re: Freemasons. If only all freemasons had money!!! My family has masonic connections, if you want any help, just ask. Londongirl