It's an older message, but thought I might comment. Prior to WW2, the Germans used genealogy quite extensively. To this end, it was often done for nefarious purposes - purity of race in support of SS Officers - and other ethnic actions. What is surprising to learn is the extent to which they often went, even with "professional" genealogists/authors interviewing US residents on their family heritage with unwhitting responses made by post. There are numerous volumes of these works which have been filmed by the LDS. If you are fortunate to come across these in your research, best to keep in mind what their intended purpose really was. Gives one cause to reflect, doesn't it? Jim Ball On 27 Dec 2003 at 15:33, SewzArt@aol.com wrote: > Can`t say where I heard it but in spy and counter spy circles during > WWII involved persons were given names that could be traced to oneo f > the leading American genealogical and Heraldic publications because > the Germans used this source to verify a persons "true" identity as > much as possible. I just can`t say axactly wha the name of the book > was. Sue