Secret Societies: Finding Records of Fraternal Organizations by M L Strauss

Were your ancestors members of the Masons? Did your family have a membership with the I.O.O.F. or another secret society. Discover the rich history and genealogical material that await you with membership records, historical research, and photographs of your family who may have belonged to one or more of these secret societies.

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Secret Societies: Finding Records of Fraternal Organizations

Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG®, AGL™, is a military historian and professional genealogist. His research expertise is recognized in the judicial systems of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where I serve as an expert witness in kinship determinations and forensic estate investigations. Beyond my courtroom work, he lectures widely at universities, conferences, and educational institutes across the country. He holds a B.A. in History from Shepherd University, specializing in the American Civil War, and an M.A. in History from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a concentration in military history. His master’s thesis, Ever Under Steam: The Revenue Cutter Service in the Spanish-American War, explores the predecessor organization of the United States Coast Guard, formally established in 1915. His publications include books, edited volumes, peer-reviewed journal articles, public history writings, blogs, and book reviews, reflecting a sustained commitment to scholarship in military history and genealogy, where the two connect.