Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 8/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have what seems to be a Masonic or fraternal medal, suspended from a ribbon, that reads ARMENIA LODGE No 1/GCA on the face, with a depiction of the all-seeing eye and Noah's Ark.  The reverse of the medal is blank.  Tryas i might, I cannot find any lodges with this name.  I found the medal on eBay, and have only seen this one in 10 years. I have searched the internet over and over using the key words, without luck.  Do you have any suggestions for me?
(I am a member of TAMS and ANS).

ANSWER: Leon, I have tried myself to find old lodges for Masonic and related entities for my speciality -- encased coins.  The problem is that the Masons is a secret society.  That makes finding out information about them by outsiders like us somewhat problematic.  Internet searches with help from www.google.com, can help and sometimes if you email or write (with SASE) a lodge leader you'll get a reply, but other times you won't.  

Here's a reference for Armenia lodge (a cemetary) from St. Louis.  Maybe that's a possiblity?  

There is also a grand lodge of Armenia, where else, in the country of Armenia.  Can that be what this is about?

Jim

http://www.slpl.lib.mo.us/libsrc/stlcem.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Lodge_of_Armenia

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the try, Jim.  I saw the St. Louis reference and dismissed it.  This cannot be a lodge in Armenia proper (that would be too easy)--the medal is older and the lodge in Armenia is recent.  If a picture would help I can send it, write to me at tramaked@aol.com.
Leon

Answer
Sorry, Leon, I just don't know what Masonic lodge this was.  This has happened before -- as I said, it's hard to track a secret society!  I have been looking for the Genessee lodge for quite some time -- seems like it must be in upstate NY or maybe in Michigan near Flint, but I haven't been able to find it.  Jim