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Archiver > APG > 2008-03 > 1204380720


From: "Melinde Sanborn" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Misha Defonseca Holocaust fraud case
Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 09:12:00 -0500
In-Reply-To: <47C8C6D7.60501@ancestralmanor.com>


Hitting a moving target is considerably different from what most of us do as
genealogists. Even those of us who track missing (living) people have a
special set of advantages attendant on good will and money motivations.

Fraud for money is a powerful motivator for someone to cover their tracks.
Misha could not have chosen a more powerful sacred cow to hide behind - as
evidenced by the jury that slammed her publisher and the judge that tripled
the multi-million dollar judgment. Let's not mention the hundreds of
Americans and Europeans who bought not only the Jewish hidden child story
but the "raised by wolves" scenario. It reminds me of Alex Haley's *Roots*
and the *Hidalgo* movie, both fiction intentionally presented as fact. This
is different from someone making a mistake that is raised to the level of
truth, as debunked in Katherine Flynn's Emma Dunham Kelley Hawkins research
(NGSQ 94 [June 2006]: 5-22).

Sharon has the talents that all great genealogists share - a healthy
skepticism (especially of what they read) and bloodhound genes. She also
managed to out-think the defense in a trial yet to be held - thus forcing a
confession.

When you look back on Sharon's postings to this list you will find they
contain a full measure of philosophy that benefits readers. Take a look at
what she did to follow a stage coach found buried in a dung heap. She forces
a whole new definition of "reasonably exhaustive search."

Her postings are long, but worth the trip.

Melinde


Sharon wrote:

The back story is the success of
genealogy methodology and a lesson for everyone who has an unsolved mystery.


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