Answer: The Russian Brotherhood.

RBO was established to provide mutual assistance in times of hardship, particularly for immigrants from Galicia and Carpathian Russia who settled in the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania, and worked hazardous jobs in the mines when there were no workers’ compensation laws.

The society provides relief to members with illnesses, physical injuries, and disabilities.  It also provides assistance to surviving widows and children.  RBO offers insurance, low-cost mortgages, shelters, scholarships, and other services.  It also contributes to the preservation of Russian heritage and culture in the United States.  The RBO is still an active organization today.  Its headquarters are currently located in Yardley, Pennsylvania.

HSP holds a large collection of records of the Russian Brotherhood Organization (#3035).  The insurance claims records, which comprise the largest portion of the collection, are of great interest to genealogical researchers.  The records also cover RBO’s fraternal and cultural activities.