Hello Everyone I have been asked to reply to some questions concerning our previous postings about the Gustave ANJOU forgeries and possibly clear up some confusion. First let us all understand something about Gustave ANJOU (1863-1942) born in Sweden ,and after serving a prison term there for forgery, he came to this country in 1890. ANJOU turned out many "genealogies" for those who could pay his fee of $9,000 and up His report took aprox. 3 weeks and included a coat of arms, surname history etc There is no great money in producing a printed genealogy and ANJOU found an easier way to become very wealthy. The reports were in manuscript form and were ment for his client. There was never any thought at this time of our history that everything in the "genealogy" could be verified and since the more he produced, the more his fees while each completed "genealogy" would lead to additional clients through the false lines. In later life ,when the Genealogy Bubble burst, he produced many lines and sold them by mail at reduced prices, So there are many out there especially those of the English common names and it appears as if he found the German and Dutch lines were difficult for outsiders to trace so he excelled with them. All of the 'genealogies" were written around existing records that were gathered from the client and through obvious sources that could be proved. However, ANJOU then placed wills, births, deaths etc. that were his inventions, into various lines and then continued up another line that had many proven sources. A client was so overwhelmed with data that the false entries were accepted without question for the most part. It wasn't until later years that it was determined that ALL of Anjou's works were fraudulent and each and every entry must be searched and proven by original sources. At times he would tie lines throughout Europe by creating his own parishes and then using that as a source for wills, births, deaths etc., all false. He would also list non existing church records he "found" in established true parishes. Now we can trace those records. At the time they were introduced it was most difficult. If you have lines that are listed on our web site the first thing you will want to do is have someone copy the manuscript at it's location to make it available for research. Then determine the line. You will never determine a false entry just from lookin at it and each entry must be researched. Many original manuscripts have found their way into public hands and information contained within them have been passed on through the years by trusting writers. Be very careful of all entries that bring a collateral line into a genealogy. You will not find the normal factor of a lot of missing maiden names with ANJOU , he made sure they all had maiden names connecting to lines that had many proven sources. Male births will appear with sources to parents (starting another line) who never had children or who had proven children but his birth was never found. I urge you all to read the data we have on our web site at; http://www.linkline.com/personal/xymox/ We direct you to sources for additional reading through the "Genealogical Journal" published by the Utah Genealogical Association. Their internet address is; http://www.infouga.org/ The Genealogical Journal Volume 19 Numbers 1 and 2 of 1991 contains six articles on various genealogy frauds including two fine ones on Gustave Anjou. I hope this helps and makes you aware that there is much information out there. Some of it created by frauds. We will cover some of these people from time to time. When ever you receive a piece of information, ask yourself "Where did this come from?". Make it a point to source everything back to its original source. If an item is not sourced, you have nothing but a PROBABLE and you must not follow further until you can prove it. It is sad to say but we all have spent much time researching lines that are not ours. Also another point. NO FAMILY HISTORY IS A SOURCE. Only the primary sourced information within the History may be considered as reliable. If any of you come across anything written by an ANJOU, please call it to our attention so we may inform those whose lines it touches and they in turn can trace down the problem entries. The best to you all and happy hunting. Harold Oliver Director America's First Families