Greek History Help
 

I am looking for someone who knows something about GLO history. I found a pin amoungst my great grandfather's things that had the letters Beta Phi Sigma on it. So I tried to find such a group, but with no luck. If anyone out there has ever heard of them, I would appreciate any leads. I am very curious and would love to find out any connections my great-grandfather might have had! So if anyone knows anything-- please email me,, or post a reply-- thanx a bundle

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Go to your nearest large library (a college library is your best bet) and look in one of the older editions of Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities.

If that doesn't help, try doing an internet search of Beta Phi Sigma. Be sure to put the quotes around it or you'll be searching a LOOOOOOONG time.

Good luck!

Can you describe the pin better? There is a non-collegiate service sorority called Beta Sigma Phi. Here's a link to their website, maybe the pin was really your grandmother's:
http://www.betasigmaphi.org/

Barb

You may want to check out Yahoo clubs. They have a fraternity pin collector's club. One of the members is an archivist for his fraternity. I am sure that someone on that board can help you.

AngelsCry: If it looks like this...

http://members.aol.com/lampman100/ph.jpg
(Picture taken from Ebay http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif)

... then localsororities is correct. Your great grandfather was a member of Phi Beta Sigma. Their website is: http://www.pbs1914.org

ZetaAce

AngelsCry,

PnguinTrax has a good idea. Maybe the pin was your grandmother's because "Beta Sigma Phi" is a big non-collegiate sorority?
The headquarters might even have your grandma's name on file?

Can you confirm the letters one more time, please, because you said they were in the order of Beta Phi Sigma.

<img src=http://www.finalfront.com/hosting/users/itsagas/betasigma.JPG>

Why don't these pics show up? Is the HTML function suppressed? I am confused.

http://www.finalfront.com/hosting/us.../betasigma.JPG

try that.. check out the UBB codes (select the link to the left of the reply box). HTML is turned off for most of the forums. The open tag is IMG inside of brackets, "[ ]", and /IMG inside brackets as the end tag.


[This message has been edited by Artimis (edited June 13, 2000).]

That's their honor pin which is given after so many years of membership or outstanding service. It's very nice.

I just want to thank everyone who replied. I didn't even consider the idea that the pin might belong to my great-grandmother perhaps because the pin is masculine looking, but I will follow up that idea. I checked on some of the leads ya'll provided but I haven't found anything yet-- I am going to keep looking though!!

A little bit better description of the pin:
Shaped like a traditional crest - kind of an upside-down house shape. With a skull and cross bones on top. The three greek letters Beta Phi Sigma underneath and a ornate "occultic looking" eye under the letters. The whole pin is black with gold designs and lettering.

I am going to follow up more of the leads everyone sent-- Again I thank you sooo much-- Everyone has been a big help!!

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Consult an old edition of Baird's Manual of College Fraternities. I recall reading about fraternities that don't exist anymore, it is quite possible Beta Phi Sigma is one of them. From the description of the pin, it follows the symbols of older fraternities, skull and bones for secrecy. Most of them were underground societies, but that's just my opinion. I believe you will find the answer there. Also, if you know the college your relative attended, there may be historical records there on the organization.

AXPAlum