Further info on false genealogies..... ---------- > From: Brian K Luginbill <timetraveler@apex2000.net> > To: Case-Family-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Fw: Some info about false records from Gustave ANJOU > Date: Tuesday, January 26, 1999 10:19 AM > > > > > 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 > > > > > > >