ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS PHILADELPHIA COUNTY BOARD

0.25 ft.

MSS 111

November 1992

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Ancient Order of Hibernians originated as a secret society in Ireland in the late sixteenth century.  It was established in the United States in 1836.  Now known as the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, it is a fraternal benefit society open to those who are Irish and Catholic.  The order provides insurance benefits to members and undertakes charitable and educational activities.

PROVENANCE

The collection was donated in 1991 by Jude Fanning, President of AOH Division 39, who obtained the records from the County Board.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The collection contains two volumes of minutes.  The volumes include financial accounts, lists of officers, and documentation of planning for various activities in addition to summaries of matters discussed at meetings.  These records should be of particular value in comparison of records of local AOH divisions.  Also included are one volume and one folder of membership lists which may have been generated by the County Board, and one volume of accounts which cannot be attributed to any particular division.  Laid-in sheets in the volumes of minutes have been left in place to preserve original relationship of the materials.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

The collection has been divided into two series: I. Administrative Records; II. Financial Records.  Each has been arranged chronologically.

SERIES I.  ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS (1897-1966 and n.d.).  3 volumes.  This series contains minutes, membership lists and related accounts (e.g. tallies for ball tickets distributed to members, sold, and returned).

SERIES II.  FINANCIAL RECORDS (1956-1957 and n.d.).  1 volume and 1 folder.  This series consists of general accounts of financial activity (net profit, loss, etc.).