Orkney and Shetland Literary, Social and Benevolent Society records, 1885-1969

Old Resource ID was Orkney

The Orkney and Shetland Literary, Social and Benevolent Society was a Chicago-based fraternal organization. The Society was founded on February 7, 1885, by 26 charter members. Its purpose was "to assist those of our country people who may require our aid, and for the advancement of the social and intellectual culture of its members." Membership was restricted to those affiliated with Orkney and Shetland Islands by birth, parentage, marriage and residence. A significant number of sea captains and sailors were members early on in the development of the Society. As of 1892, women could become honorary dues-paying members having no voting rights. Like many late 19th century mutual aid groups, the Society provided valuable social welfare functions for its membership. Some of them included assistance with funeral expenses and aid to widows and the infirm. Activities promoted by the society included public speaking, formal debate, music, poetry, sports, reading, dancing, and short dramatic presentations. The society continued to function as a social and benevolent group until April 4, 1970, when the group voted to divest itself of official corporate status and to continue as an informal friendship society. This move reflected changing demographic patterns in contemporary Chicago as the majority of Orkney and Shetland membership either had moved from the city or died.

The collection consists of meeting minutes, membership lists, photographs in minutes' books and ledgers, financial records, receipt books, decorative medals, constitution and bylaws, and literary memorabilia pertaining to the founding and development of the Society from 1885 to 1970.

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Orkney and Shetland Literary, Social and Benevolent Society records, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago

• NamesOrkney and Shetland Literary, Social and Benevolent Society. -- Archives
• Subject
  • Chicago Community Organizations.
  • Chicago Ethnic Groups.
  • Fraternal organizations.
  • Scottish Americans.
• Geographic CoverageIllinois--Chicago.