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Importance of
Ancestral Family Organizations
by the
RBFO Research Committee
Published in October 2004
Updated in March 2011
The BFO - One of the World's Largest and Oldest Ancestral Family Organizations
The Brough Family Organization (BFO)
is one of the largest, oldest, and best
known ancestral family organizations in the world. Since 1969, the
BFO--which is a U.S. non-profit, tax exempt family history and genealogical
organization--has conducted extensive genealogical research on the Broughs
of the British Isles--with specific emphasis on the ancestors, descendants
and relatives of Richard Brough (born 1786) and Mary Horleston (born 1799)
of Staffordshire, England.
On June 20, 1840, Richard
Brough was baptized at the age of 54 into The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or "Mormon"
or LDS Church) at Frooms Hill, Herefordshire, England. Richard was the
first "Brough" in England to join the LDS Church. He was a brickmaker
by trade and had served seventeen years in the Royal Artillery Service
of the British Army. Richard married Mary Horleston in 1825. After Richard
joined the LDS Church, five of his eleven children were eventually baptized
into his new faith. Eventually, three of his children--Thomas,
Elizabeth and Samuel--emigrated
from England to Utah, while descendants of some of his other children
spread out across western Europe or emigrated to Australia.
Today, descendants of these children make up much of the BFO.
However, the BFO doesn't include only descendants
of Richard Brough and Mary Horleston. Since 1969, the BFO has
conducted extensive research on the genealogies
and histories of the many Brough
Families of the British Isles. Currently there are thousands of descendants
of these Brough families living throughout the world, and the BFO has
active members in many countries--including the United States, United
Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and South Africa. Since the
1980's, many Brough descendants have provided extensive genealogical information
about their ancestors to the BFO--including such individuals as Catharine
Ann Brough Hind, whose husband, Stanley
M. Hind (deceased), was a well-known Reverend Canon (Vicar) Emeritus
in the Church of England.
Today, the BFO includes Mormons, Anglicans,
Catholics, and Protestants from four continents, and the organization
has numerous supporters and family members.
Its website, www.broughfamily.org
is one of the most detailed and exhaustive ancestral family "surname"
websites in the world. The website has extensive photographs, genealogical
data and histories on the ancestors and descendants of the Broughs of
the British Isles, and the site receives hundreds of hits (or visits)
each day from people in many different countries. (For an example of another
well-know ancestral family organization, visit the Belnap
Family Organization.)
The Importance of Ancestral Family Organizations (AFO's)
The BFO is one of the largest Ancestral
Family Organizations--or AFO's--in the world. Based on more than forty
years of genealogical and historical efforts by many BFO officers and
members, R. Clayton Brough, RBFO Vice-President
and Genealogist, has stated the following about the importance of AFO's:
"Ancestral family organizations are
often able to accomplish much more than individual families or 'grandparent'
family associations. Because of their extensive membership
and databases, AFO's are often able to
locate and obtain genealogical and historical
information much faster and cheaper than individual families or grandparent
associations.
"Also, AFO's often know about--and
can find and acquire from different
parts of the world--unique genealogical data and historical records, such
as those found in family bibles, personal journals, private
indexes and photographic collections.
These sources can provide genealogical information not commonly found
in ecclesiastical or government records.
"Finally, because of its broad membership
and extensive number of contributors, AFO's can usually afford
and support extensive research by professional
genealogists much easier and for longer durations than can most individual
families or grandparent family associations."
Ancestral Family Organizations Encourage Friendship and Sharing
Genealogy work and family history often
crosses many political borders and lines of faith. According to Richard
L. Brough, BFO Vice-President: "While the doctrines
of the LDS Church teach the eternal significance of genealogy work
and family history, people of all faiths and walks of life can enjoy the
friendship and love that comes from being involved in such work. In fact,
the many different families and religious beliefs within the BFO have
only added to its strength and purposes."
BFO officials regularly encourage their
members to visit each other and to share their genealogical information
and histories. This is done through personal visits, reunions, telephone
calls, emails, website listings, and publications and videos.
The Universal Appeal of Family History and Genealogy Work
Kent L. Brough,
former BFO President and current Board Member, has stated the following
about the universal appeal and importance of family history and genealogy
work: "Like many other people, our Brough ancestors faced many challenges
and experienced many events. They were faithful to their families and
contributed much to their civic and religious communities. In most cases,
the beliefs we now have and the freedoms we enjoy today are largely a
result of their efforts and sacrifices. By better understanding the lives
of our ancestors we can appreciate more fully what we now have and enjoy."
In 1966, the Genealogical Society of the
LDS Church published the following statements about "Family Organizations"--which
are as applicable today as they were decades ago:
"The genealogical family orgnization
has as its major goal the compiling and recording of genealogical and
historical information pertaining to the common ancestors of its members.
Cooperation in genealogical research through the family organization is
one of the most successful means of extending and proving pedigrees and
compiling family genealogies. The family organization promotes coordination
of research among individuals researching the same family lines, affords
opportunities for specialization in research, pools time and money resources,
channels wise use of resources, and fosters fellowship and understanding
among its members.
"Throughout the world, people are increasingly
becoming interested in finding out more about their families. Individuals
want to know about the lives of ancestors--their occupations, accomplishments,
what their names were, and where they lived. In discovering ancestors,
individuals seem to discover themselves and are better able to define
their own goals and know what they want and expect out of life. Frequent
association with other family members in family organizations, through
both personal contact and through correspondence, brings on definite feelings
of concern for the family and a greater appreciation of family ties. By
working in family orgnizations, people become 'family oriented' and feel
they are a part of a big family operation." (Genealogical
Instruction Manual, Genealogical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1966,
page C-1)
Click here for more information on the significance
and usefulness of Family
Organizations.
A Personal Testimony of Faith and Family History
Click here
for a Personal Testimony of Faith
and Family History by R. Clayton Brough,
BFO Vice-President and Genealogist.
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