ANJOU

FRAUDULENT LINEAGES UPDATE #2

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.

We are working on a new update, not only on ANJOU but other "Authors" listed below and we would like to hear from anyone who may have related information so we may include it on our web site.

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.

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 your research. Then prove the line with modern sources. Be most careful that the source you are listing does not refer back to ANJOU records.

You will never determine a false entry just from looking at it so each of his entries must be researched and proven beyond doubt.

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 and researchers.

Be very careful of all entries that brings a new 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. In reality you will be following lines that never married into yours.

Male births will appear with a source to parents, starting another line, who never had children or who had a mentioned child but his birth was never found.

I urge you all to read the data we have on our web site. Look for the FRAUDULENT LINEAGES link located 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. These are MUST reading.

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 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 sourced information within the History may be considered as useable. Most Family Histories are unacceptable as source material for most all Societies and Organizations.

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 neverless highly unquotable.

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

The best to you all and happy hunting.

Harold Oliver
Director
America's First Families
mailto:firstfamilies@linkline.com

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