Genealogy Chat

Does anyone have any information about the RAOB? I think it stands for Royal order of the Antelope and Buffalo. My grandfather was a member of the South Shields branch in the 1920s-30s. Barbara

Hi Barbara, I think the RAOB stands for Royal Ancient Order of Buffalo... but I might be wrong... Sorry I cant help with any other info.. Sue

Thanks Sue, I thought it should be Royal and Ancient Order, but my mother thought there was an Antelope in there somewhere! Barbara

I agree with Sue - Don't know much more about it - Quite 'secret' - bit like the 'free masons' nudge nudge, wink wink.... Dea x

I think it stands for Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffallo :)) Chrissie

lol Barbara..... I would try 'googling' for some info...either that or try a local branch. Have a look in your phone book....not sure, just guessing, but worth a try... Sue

Sorry - I made that sound like a joke but I was serious. That is what it was called. It was a society similar to the Masons.

Barbara, Just done a quick google of RAOB and think Chrissie is right about the name...... and yes it does look like its masonic type of society. Loads of sites came up... you might find something on the branch your looking for. Sue

Thanks all I tried google and sure enough found the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. They are a philanthropic and charitable organisation formed originally by actors in the late1700s as a sort of recreational club. There does not seem to be any direct link to the Masons. Hopefully there may be some archives in the South Shields branch that I can beg access to the next time I go researching 'up north'. Happy New Year - Barbara

Good luck with gaining info from them. My grandfather was a member and we had his 'jewels'. They are regalia and my father had donated them to the local branch after Grandad died. I was given the name of the member who they were passed to and suprise, surprise, they have gone missing. I wrote to the Grand Secretary who is Stuart Steele, Grove House, Skipton Road Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 4LA tel 01423 502438, to ask for any info or photos of my grandfather. He replied in that records on members of the Order, are restricted to the persons full name and Lodge of admission only and contain no personal information at all, or photographs. I had been informed by a local member that they have 'raising nights', when photos would have been taken but it looks as if they will not be released. Good luck Jan

My grandfather belonged to the Royal Ancient Order of Buffaloes. My mum said it was 'a poor man's Masons' and it seems to have been a charitable male organisation run along the same lines. nell

Thanks Jan Luckily I have 2 photos of my grandfather in his regalia. I have no idea what happened to it all, probably given to another lodge member or disposed of by his widow (not my grandmother). I understand these organisations are often joined by successive generations so I was sort of hoping I might be able to find out about his father and grandfather, not very likely I suppose. Thanks anyway Barbara

Thanks Nell It's nice to know they were generous even though they were poor! Barbara

I have a copy of the certificate for my husbands grandfather. Have no idea what it means though I'm afraid. It's very official looking. some of it... having been examined as to his knowledge of the duties appertaining to the Degree of Primo by the examining council of the London South Essex Governing Authority and who was inducted to the Degree of Primo in the George Harrow Lodge....etc., etc., If anyone finds out what it's all about I will be very interested. Diane