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From: Debbie <>
Subject: [GM] Re: Help on nobility question
Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 06:50:35 -0800


Beware of genealogies written by "experts" too. Do your own
research...

FYI valuable information for all who are doing genealogical work.

fraudulent genealogies:

http://www.linkline.com/personal/xymox/fraud/fraud.htm

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 that line back further until
you can prove what you have.

It is sad to say that we all have spent much time researching lines
that were never ours in the first place.

Also another point. NO FAMILY HISTORY IS A SOURCE. Only the
primary source information within the History may be considered as
useable. Most Family Histories are unacceptable as source material
for most all Societies and Organizations.

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First let us all understand something about Gustave ANJOU (1863-
1942) born in Sweden, who after serving a prison term there for
forgery, 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 was no great money in
producing a printed genealogy so ANJOU found an easier way to become
very wealthy.

It has been estimated that there may be as many as 2,000 different
lines that have been tainted by ANJOU alone.

The reports were in manuscript form and were only 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 of the completed
"genealogies" would lead to additional clients through the false
lines he reported.

In the 1930's, 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 proven. However, ANJOU then placed wills, births, deaths etc.
that were his INVENTIONS, into various lines and then continued up
through yet another line and again many proven sources.

A client was so overwhelmed with data that the false entries were
accepted as the truth without a question.

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 through original sources.

At times he would connect 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" within established true parishes, all FORGED.

Now we can trace those records. At the time they were introduced it
was most difficult. We must remember that everything Anjou worked on
was done with the purpose of defrauding someone. This man not only
invented Parishes in Europe, but used them for his forged wills,
marriages, births etc.

If any of you come across anything written by an ANJOU, please call
it to our attention so we may inform those of you whose lines it
touches and then you in turn can trace down the problem entries.

We also are interested in learning of any works authored by the
following 19th Century "experts" who are all proven dubious sources.

Not on the scale of ANJOU, but never less highly unquotable.

CHARLES H. BROWNING
C. A. HOPPIN
ORRA E. MONNETTE
HORATIO GATES SOMERBY
FREDERICK A. VIRKUS
JOHN S. WURTS

Debbie <>

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