Order of True Kindred: Trinity Conclave #3 (Toledo, Ohio) records

The collection of correspondence and other papers related to the Trinity Conclave #3, Order of True Kindred in Toledo, Ohio spans the years from 1934 through 1942 and centers on Hazel Lafferty who was an organizer of that conclave and was commissioned by the Supreme Conclave in Illinois as an organizer for the State of Ohio.

Three series of correspondence make up the bulk of the collection, official communications from the Supreme Conclave in Illinois with Hazel as she began organizing a local conclave, letters to Hazel from local individuals as part of her activities, and copies and drafts of letters Hazel wrote during the period, most of them involving conclave business.

The letters from the Supreme Conclave are the richest in details about the Order and the process followed by local groups in organizing their own conclaves. The first letters, dated Feb. 21, 1935 and Feb. 25, 1935 give detailed responses to questions from Hazel about installation of a local conclave in Toledo, touching on such issues as meetings, certification by the Ohio Secretary of State, supplies needed, and the ceremony of installation. Later correspondence covers administrative questions and a few unofficial words of advice and the local conclave settled into operation. The correspondence to Hazel from other individuals also deals with conclave business and activities, such as filling officer positions, scheduling events, and personal concerns. In many instances the draft or outgoing correspondence series matches with some of the letters received by Hazel from the Supreme Conclave and individuals, allowing a view of both sides of the exchange.

The remainder of the collection consists of minor material such as an undated typescript of the Trinity Conclave #3 bylaws, and stray material and notes. Overall, although the time period covered by the collection is limited, it gives a good picture of the efforts, administration, and organization involved in typical women's lodge activities and of the association between the men's and women's aspects of Masonic groups.