Question: Can you tell me what the “AOOFH” organization was
that my Patrick Callahan was a member when he died in 1892. While reviewing an
obituary for this Watertown, Massachusetts
ancestor I was surprised to find his affiliation with a group.
Answer: The abbreviation is the uncommon usage of A.O.H.
(Ancient Order of Hibernians). The fraternal
order in the United States
was started in 1836 in New York City
in the old Five Points neighborhood. The
organization originally assisted Irish born immigrants in America. It also helped fight religious discrimination
for those immigrants, and to deter attacks against the Catholic Church in the
middle of the 19th century.
The Hibernian Hall in Watertown
still exists. They can be reached at : Hibernian
Hall – Watertown,
151 Watertown Street,
Watertown, MA 02172, (617) 924-9541.