EDWARDS-L Archives

From: Donna Sarchet <>
Subject: [EDWARDS-L] Edwards' Heirs--Another Perspective
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 1999 08:44:40 -0800

Before anyone starts claiming land in New York as part of the Edwards
Heirs group, you may want to listen to a taped National Genealogical
Society lecture by Helen Hinchliff. Also, someone recently posted to
the Edwards list a reference to an article that Helen Hinchliff has
published on this topic.

Anyway, the tape, which I find fascinating and have listened to many
times, is entitled "Fraud, Fortune Hunters, and Falsified Pedigrees" by
Helen Hinchliff (who is a professional genealogist, a frequent
contributor to the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, and an
"Edwards Heirs" descendant herself). The lecture was made at the
National Genealogical Society's 1997 Conference in the States at Valley
Forge (Pennslyvania: Cradle of a Nation conference), and is available
through Repeat Performance (219)465-1234 or on the web at:

http://www.repeatperformance.com

It is Tape #T-101

Mrs. Hinchliff's family for generations were card-carrying members of
the Edwards Heirs group. As a child, she heard from her grandfather
about the fortune they were entitled to and would someday obtain. Mrs.
Hinchliff spent years tracking down the origins of this story, including
extensive interviews with New York court officials and authorities (the
land record office for that particular county in NY has extra staff
employed *just* to handle the inquires on the Edwards Heirs estate). She
also went through old newspapers, etc. tracking stories on the Edwards
Heirs activities.

Anyway, Mrs. Hinchliff provides absolute proof that the entire thing is
a hoax--a ploy that was originally created to keep some lawyers in
business. However, unsuspecting families (going back as early as the
1870s as I recall) in good faith became part of this group and began
documenting their family connections. Mrs. Hinchliff's point here is
that Grandma wasn't lying--she was telling the truth as she sincerely
believed it (although there never was any substance to the claims to
begin with).

Unfortunately, this story is a great deal like many of the false virus
warnings and urban myths that keep popping up in our society today. Even
though they have been proved to be false, every few months/years they
take on a life of their own and acquire new believers.

Another point Mrs. Hinchliff makes is that even though a researcher may
come across an Edwards line that is presented as evidence as being an
Edwards heir, every generation still needs to be checked for
documentation--particularly the earlier generations. Anytime anyone is
preparing/submitting lineages for monetary gain, connections are
particularly subject for intense scrutiny.

By the way, Mrs. Hinchliff wrote an article for a British magazine and
also appeared on a BBS program where she presented her research and
viewpoint. It caused quite an uproar in England, where many "Edwards
Heirs" also reside (the story has a wide following there from what I
gather). The BBS received literally hundreds of letters in reponse to
the segment with Mrs. Hinchliff--most of whose writers were outraged
"heirs."

Again, all of this--including the British controversy--is outlined in
great detail on the tape (which is available for a few dollars). If
anyone wants to write to Mrs. Hinchliff, her address appears with her
articles in the NGS Quarterly.

Donna Sarchet
Plainview, TX
<> (address is good only through this month)
<>

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