BOFA membership is available in two categories. Ancestral members are required to complete a lineage application detailing their descent from O'Kelley and allied family ancestors. Accurate and reliable documentation is requested in order for the BOFA records to be of maximum use to researchers in future generations. O'Kelley family researchers should refer to the genealogical proof standard when submitting their member applications.
Associate membership is available to individuals interested in BOFA, Inc. but have no known O'Kelley ancestors or connections.
Member benefits:
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Receive the BOFA newsletter published 2 - 4 times a year.
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Online access to all back issues of the BOFA newsletter.
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Access to O'Kelley scrapbook collection of indexed O'Kelley-specific printed materials.
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Access to our database of O'Kelley genealogical information that dates back prior to the American Revolution of 1776.
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Access to our O'Kelley archive of data submitted by members since the 1930s.
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Connect with like-minded individuals interested in O'Kelley genealogy and genealogy in general.
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Receive updates about O'Kelley biennial reunions.
Your membership helps to support our ongoing research and preservation efforts.
Members can access the combined genealogies of O'Kelley ancestors submitted through the BOFA application process. Each member will identify their O'Kelley ancestors as far back as they are able. This information is loaded to the O'Kelley genealogy database and will be uploaded to the Members section of this web site in a fully searchable format.
Additionally, BOFA's genealogy archive information is being added continuously as we record information from our paper files into the database. This is an excellent resource for members to expand their family trees and their own family research.
We protect the privacy of our members by excluding all ancestors from the database with birth dates within the last 75 years. All submitted application information should be verified and documented by primary and reliable secondary sources before including in your BOFA member application.
We are amassing news clippings, reunion memorabilia, pictures, announcements, copies of approved lineage society applications, etc., all featuring O'Kelley-related information and/or O'Kelley allied families and other community connections. This historical collection will be digitized and indexed for on-line access by our members.
Some O'Kelley family members may be eligible to join several different lineage societies including but not limited to:
There are hundreds of lineage societies that exist to suit all types of research interests. Membership dues support funds may be available for members who are interested in documenting their family by joining a particular society, but who may be concerned about dues, fees & other expenses. Submit inquiries to info@bofainc.org.
There is currently a dearth of African American representation in most American lineage societies, despite the fact of the existence of Africans in America from its earliest beginnings.
When you take the time to join lineage societies, you are doing your part to record your family's existence through a membership application that is supported by primary documentation (birth & death certificates, baptismal records, marriage or divorce records, census records, court documents, etc.). In addition, lineage society applications help you verify family lore and work through genealogical brick walls. Lineage society applications will also help other family members complete their family trees. The information on your application and the documents you provide are evaluated and verified by professional genealogists. Approved lineage society applications are archived in the organization's libraries.
BOFA, Inc. encourages members to protect, preserve and digitize family archives for generations to come and to protect documents from disasters, fires, hurricanes, floods, etc., any other disasters in the course of our lives that can put our family and community heritage at risk.
Meetings:
BOFA meetings are currently held virtually to accommodate members across the country and the world. We do plan to enlist the help of BOFA, Inc. members from time to time to organize picnics and visits to sites of historical and genealogical interest to members. We look forward to organizing opportunities for members and supporters to gather together to discuss common community interests.