International Ship Masters' Association records

Of particular interest to researchers studying the development of the Great Lakes maritime shipping industry, the ISMA records are available from the inception of the Excelsior Marine Benevolent Association (ISMA's predecessor) in 1886 to the present. Regrettably, documentation on the years before 1960 is sparse. Available in the largest volume are membership files that include, in part, beneficiary certificates and membership information cards reflecting ISMA's interest in providing death benefits to members' families.

Files on the annual meetings provide an extensive set of proceedings with complete coverage from 1934 to 1989. Earlier sets of proceedings are present, but none predate 1906. Programs offer coverage in complete form for 1959-present.

Correspondence files of the principal officers range from 1917-1990, but fall most heavily after 1960. Files of the Grand President, Grand Secetary, and Grand Treasurer comprise most of hte officer files. Primary topics in the correspondence are membership matters, benefit payments, lobbying agenda, and annual meeting preparations.

Correspondence with local lodges provides useful commentaries on the interaction of local members with Grand Lodge officers. Lodges in Cleveland, Ohio and Toledo, Ohio are heavily represented. Files are also present for lodges in Alpena, Michigan; Ashtabula, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Georgian Bay-Huronia, Ontario; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Ogdensburg, New York; Port Huron, Michigan; St. Catharine's, Ontario; Twin Ports (Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin); and Twin Sault (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario). Significant portions of this correspondence pertain to positions taken on resolutions scheduled for discussion at annual meetings.

Financial records contain a fairly complete picture of the conditions of ISMA for the 1940s and for the period 1962-1985. Death claims are thoroughly documented for the period 1907-1976.

Committee records, primarily those of the Navigation and Legislative Committee used in conjunction with correspondence files lead to information on ISMA member reactions to legislation regarding maritime affairs. The increasing emphasis on discussion of technology in navigation after the 1930s is reflected in committee records.

A brief file on the history of ISMA is present that includes a copy of the original charter for the Excelsior Marine Benevolent Association from 1886.

I.S.M.A. HISTORICAL FILES; 1886-1989; Box 1; arranged chronologically for the correspondence and constitutions. Consists of scattered correspondence documenting the history of ISMA, copies of constitutions and bylaws for the organization, copies of ritual books stored with bylaws, printed materials regarding annual meetings and other aspects of the organization's history, and a copoy of the 1886 articles of incorporation for ISMA's predecessor, the Excelsior Marine Benevolent Association.

COMMITTEES; 1923-2003; Box 2, 33, 35; arranged chronologically. Contains files of the Navigation and Legislative Committee. Other committees are sparsely represented. The Navigation and Legislative Committee studies issues affecting maritime trade including, but not limited to, licensing of pilots, safety, channel marking, Coast Guard regulations, international cooperation on shipping matters, and pollution. Resolutions approved by the Navigation and Legislative Committee and proposed for discussion at ISMA annual meetings accompany the correspondence in these files.

ANNUAL MEETING PROCEEDINGS; 1906-2018; Box 3-4, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37; arranged chronologically. Contains printed and typescript copies of ISMA annual meeting proceedings. Information centers on reports of ISMA officers, statements of condition for local lodges, and records of discussions held at each session.

ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAMS; 1948-2004, 2017-2018; Box 5, 33, 35, 37; arranged chronologically. Contains printed programs for the ISMA annual meetings. Information includes schedule of events, lists of ISMA officers, historical information on the organization, and advertising provided to sponsors of the meetings.

ANNUAL MEETINGS: CREDENTIALS FOR DELEGATES; 1964-1986; Box 6; arranged chronologically. Contains credential forms for members of local lodges attending the annual meetings. The credentials certify that the delegate is authorized to vote on meeting proposals and resolutions for the local lodges.

RESOLUTIONS; 1914-2002 (scattered dates); Box 6, 35; arranged chronologically. Contains resolutions for discussion at annual meetings prepared by local lodge members or ISMA officers. These resolutions cover such topics as legislation that ISMA supports or opposes, shipping regulation issues, membership rules, and other matters of concern to ISMA.

ANNUAL MEETINGS: CORRESPONDENCE; 1961-1992; Box 6; arranged chronologically. Contains correspondence regarding planning and conducting activities for ISMA meetings.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFICIARY CERTIFICATES; 1928-1974; Box 7-12; arranged alphabetically by surname. Contains certificates that serve as notice that the recipient is an ISMA member and is entitled to have death benefits paid to the beneficiary noted on the document. Related correspondence accompanies the certificates. Cards from Rosters of Grand Lodge and Local Lodge Officers (see below) are also frequently present.

MEMBERSHIP DUES BOOK FOR LOCAL LODGES; 1966-1969; Box 13; arranged by lodge, then chronologically, then alphabetically by surname. Consists of a handwritten record of dues payments by members of the local lodges. Coverage is for the period 1966-1969. Section one covers lodges 1-18 for 1966-1967 (pp. 1-237). Section two covers lodges 1-18 for 1968 (pp. 238-347). Section three covers lodges 1-18 for 1969 (pp. 348-445).

I.S.M.A. MEMBERSHIP ROSTERS; 1971-2015 (scattered dates); Box 14, 33, 35, 37; arranged chronologically. Contains rosters of members listing names, addresses, member numbers, local lodge in which member participates, and membership status (active, associate, new, and professional).

ROSTERS OF GRAND LODGE AND LOCAL LODGE OFFICERS; 1891-1987, 2018; Box 14, 36; arranged by lodge number, with the Grand Lodge preceding the local lodges. Contains rosters of the Grand Lodge officers. Information includes names, years served, position held, and home city. Rosters for local lodge officers give the lodge name, year, name of officer, and position held.

MEMBERSHIP STATUS REPORTS; 1964-1987; Box 14; arranged by lodge number and then chronologically. Contains reports that record changes in membership categories for local lodges on an annual basis.

MEMBERSHIP CORRESPONDENCE; 1960-1987; Box 14, 35; arranged chronologically. Contains correspondence between Grand Lodge and local lodges regarding membership in ISMA.

MEMBERSHIP CARD FILE; 1890-1985; Box 24-29; arranged alphabetically by surname. Contains 3 x 5" note cards recording ISMA members' names, lodge numbers, beneficiary certificate number, age at initiation, address, beneficiary name and relation to member.

LOCAL LODGES; 1890-2018 (scattered dates); Box 15-18, 33-36; arranged by lodge number. Contains correspondence, membership records, minutes, and printed material on Lodges 1-4, 6-7, 9-10, 12, 15, 17-19, 20, and 22. The most extensive files are on Lodge #4 in Cleveland, Ohio, Lodge #7 in Detroit, Michigan, and Lodge #9 in Toledo, Ohio.

SUBJECT CORRESPONDENCE: GRAND LODGE OFFICERS; 1962-1998; Box 19-21, 31, 33 arranged chronologically. Consists of correspondence of the Grand President, Grand Secretary, and Grand Treasurer. Frequently discussed topics are membership issues, legislative interests of ISMA, committee functions, and annual meetings.

SUBJECT FILE AND CORRESPONDENCE; 1917-1999; Box 21, 32, 33, 35; arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically. Series contains subject files on such topics as the U.S. Coast Guard, the ISMA Directory, local Lodges, and the ISMA Newsletter. See inventory for all subject headings.

AUDITS; 1932-1985; Box 23; Series contains financial statements, cash receipt and disbursement statements, reports of examination, and other audit related reports.

DEATH CLAIMS; 1907-1976; Box 23; Series contains certificates regarding proof of death of an ISMA member filed by beneficiaries. Of note are lists of holders of assessment cards showing members who paid into the endowment fund from 1933-1976 (arranged by assessment card number). Also present is a list of persons to whom checks from the endowment fund were written for 1932-1958.

ENDOWMENT FUND; 1938-1976; Box 23; Series contains correspondence, benefit certificates, records of Grand Lodge meetings regarding the endowment fund, and member survey forms regarding the administration of the endowment fund.

GRAND SECRETARY'S FINANCIAL REPORTS; 1962-1973; Box 23; Series contains monthly and annual financial reports prepared by the ISMA Grand Secretary.

TAXES; 1940-1963; Box 23; Series contains correspondence and US Treasury Department circulars regarding taxes.