The Foresters of America Court Concordia, No. 119 (Sacramento, Calif.) and Court Sacramento, No. 12 (Sacramento, Calif.) collection is comprised primarily of meeting minutes and financial records of the Foresters of America, Court Concordia No. 119 and Court Sacramento No. 12 from 1884-1960. The Foresters of America (F of A) was an American fraternal and benevolent organization that supported its membership with medical assistance, weekly sick benefits, burial benefits and support during times of unemployment or hardship. The Foresters of America also had social benefits, along with the financial. Its motto was “Liberty, Unity, Benevolence and Concord.”

The Foresters of America (F of A) was an American fraternal and benevolent organization that supported its membership with medical assistance, weekly sick benefits, burial benefits and support during times of unemployment or hardship. The Foresters of America also had social benefits, along with the financial. Its motto was “Liberty, Unity, Benevolence and Concord.” A member of a Court became a member of the organization regardless of location, meaning that benefits moved with the member, a novel feature at the time and one that inspired the inception of the Royal Foresters at Knaresborough Castle, England in 1745. In 1834, its name was changed to the Ancient Order of Foresters. By 1874, the Canadian and American branches separated from the Ancient Order of Foresters to form the Independent Order of Foresters, headquartered in Canada. Separation from British friendly society administration was completed by 1889 when became the Ancient Order of Foresters of America. It then changed its name to Foresters of America in 1895. This is shown by the seamless transition from Court Concordia No. 8393 to Court Concordia No. 119 on the same day as Court Sacramento No. 6742 became Court Sacramento No. 12 in the minute books. According to Stacy C. Hollander (2016) in her exhibition label for an Foresters of America ceremonial axe, the stories surrounding the Robin Hood legend and the biblical Garden of Eden influenced the rituals, regalia and props of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and thus that of the Foresters of America. The terminology used come from the British medieval forest courts: court instead of lodge, for example, and officers called Chief Ranger (President) or Woodwards. Today, the Foresters and Foresters Financial are trademarks and trade names of the Independent Order of Foresters. Foresters Financial is an international financial services provider for life insurance, savings, retirement, and other financial products. These companies operate in the US, Canada and the UK.

13 linear feet (14 boxes + 6 volumes)

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Collection is open for research use.