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.
First let us all understand something about Gustave ANJOU
(1863-1942) born in Sweden ,and after serving a prison term
there for forgery, he 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 is no great money in
producing
a printed genealogy and ANJOU found an easier way to become very
wealthy.
The reports were in manuscript form and were ment 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 completed "genealogy" would lead to
additional clients through the false lines.
In later life ,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
proved.
However, ANJOU then placed wills, births, deaths etc. that were his
inventions, into various lines and then continued up another line that
had many proven sources.
A client was so overwhelmed with data that the false entries were
accepted without question for the most part.
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 by original sources.
At times he would tie 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" in established true parishes.
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 research. Then determine the line.
You will never determine a false entry just from lookin at it and each
entry must be researched.
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.
Be very careful of all entries that bring a collateral 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.
Male births will appear with sources to parents (starting another
line) who never had children or who had proven children but his birth
was never found.
I urge you all to read the data we have on our web site 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.
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 further until you can prove it.
It is sad to say but we all have spent much time researching lines
that are not ours.
Also another point. NO FAMILY HISTORY IS A SOURCE. Only the
primary sourced information within the History may be considered
as reliable.
If any of you come across anything written by an ANJOU, please
call it to our attention so we may inform those whose lines it touches
and they in turn can trace down the problem entries.
The best to you all and happy hunting.
Harold Oliver
Director
America's First Families