Austro-Hungarian Aid Association of Minneapolis, Minnesota records

The organization was founded on September 9, 1890 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the "Osterreichisch-Ungarischen Unterstutzungs Vereines von Minneapolis, Minnesota". According to its constitution (amended version of September 3 , 1916, in English translation, most likely needed for filing with the State of Minnesota, the war in Europe still has two years to go.) the purpose of the association was as follows: 1) "mainly the support of its members in case of sickness, accident and death, as well as the assistance of widows and orphans in both word and deed." 2) "to perpetuate the German language, to cultivate and enhance German sociability by means of entertainments along the line of established and old time German customs and to work for the intellectual uplifting of its members and to cultivate the native usages and customs. The constitution also defines who is eligible for membership in the association: 1)"such persons as are born in Austria-Hungary, or are descendants of Austro-Hungarian parents who understand the German language, whose character is above reproach and who are mentally and physically normal and not less than sixteen years or more than fifty years of age. 2)"A candidate who is of mixed national parentage can only become a member if the father or mother is of Austro-Hungarian descent. 3) "Ladies, if they are not of Austro-Hungarian parentage or descent can only become members if their husbands are members of this association." The constitution further specified that "all business of this corporation, both verbal and in writing, must be conducted in the German language exclusively". The meeting place was initially at 400 North 20th Avenue in Minneapolis, later moved (as of 1916 for sure, Box 1, Folder 1, Minutes 1893-1902, p.61) to 309 North Plymouth Avenue.