The Importance of
Ancestral Family Organizations

by the
RBFO Research Committee
Published in October 2004
Updated in April 2009

The RBFO - One of the World's Largest Ancestral Family Organizations
     The Richard Brough Family Organization (RBFO) is one of the oldest, largest and best known ancestral family organizations in the world. Since 1969, the RBFO--which is a U.S. non-profit, tax exempt family history and genealogical organization--has conducted extensive genealogical research on the Broughs of Staffordshire, England--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 RBFO.
     However, the RBFO doesn't include only descendants of Richard Brough and Mary Horleston. In the 1970's, family officers expanded the scope of the RBFO to include all the descendants of the ancestral Brough lines of Richard Brough--whose direct ancestry goes back more than 1,000 years and whose relatives included many of the Brough families that resided in Staffordshire during the 1500's and 1800's. Since the 1980's, many descendants of these related Brough families have provided extensive genealogical information about the Broughs of Staffordshire to the RBFO-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 RBFO includes Mormons, Anglicans, Catholics, and Protestants from three 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 Staffordshire, England, and the site receives hundreds of hits (or visits) per 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 RBFO 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 RBFO officers and members, R. Clayton Brough, RBFO President, 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, RBFO Executive 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 RBFO have only added to its strength and purposes."
     RBFO 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.
     For example, in 2002, R.Clayton Brough of West Valley, Utah, and James H. Brough of Stoke-on-Trent, England, visited officials of the Staffordshire Record Office in England and presented them with CD's of the British Isles Vital Records Index produced by the LDS Church. Then in early 2003, the RBFO released its own CD, entitled A Pictorial History of the Broughs of Staffordshire, England. (This CD--using Microsoft PowerPoint--visually explains ten centuries of Brough history in England.) And in August 2008, the RBFO held a large International Brough Reunion in Meerbrook, England.

The Universal Appeal of Family History and Genealogy Work
     Kent L. Brough, former RBFO Chairman of the Board 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."
     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, RBFO President.

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