{"id":2523,"date":"2012-12-19T18:29:35","date_gmt":"2012-12-19T18:29:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=2523"},"modified":"2021-04-28T09:23:55","modified_gmt":"2021-04-28T13:23:55","slug":"ancestry-believe-it-or-not-genealogy-scams-fakes-forgers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/ancestry-believe-it-or-not-genealogy-scams-fakes-forgers.html","title":{"rendered":"Ancestry Believe It or Not: Genealogy Scams, Fakes & Forgers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: Mary Harrell-Sesniak is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background. In this guest blog post, Mary writes about genealogical fakes and frauds, and cautions readers to be careful in documenting their family history.<\/em><\/p>\n

You can\u2019t always believe what you read\u2014or can you?<\/p>\n

Genealogy, when done right, is a pursuit requiring patience, with family relationships being carefully established and well documented. But be wary when constructing your family tree; examine each piece of evidence with a critical eye.<\/p>\n

Exaggerations abound in genealogy, many of which can be categorized under the \u201cBelieve It or Not\u201d phrase made famous by Robert. L. Ripley (1890-1949).<\/p>\n

In order to \u201cprove\u201d more impressive ancestry than they actually have, scoundrels and frauds sometimes doctor documents, create fictitious Bible records, and even sell services to unsuspecting family researchers.<\/p>\n

Some of the more notorious genealogy fakes and forgers were Gustave Anjou, Harriet de Salis and Horatio Gates Somerby.<\/p>\n

Gustave Anjou (1863-1942)<\/strong>, a.k.a. Swedish native Gustaf Ludvig Jungberg<\/strong><\/p>\n

Anjou immigrated to America from Sweden, after being released from incarceration in 1886, reportedly on a forgery charge. He became active in genealogical societies in the New Jersey and New York areas, and proceeded to sell his services as a researcher to wealthy citizens. His specialty was fabricating descent from royal lineages.<\/p>\n

Some of his more infamous works included supposed lineages for the families of Andrews, Dent, Duff, Grant, Houston, Hurd, Longyear, Shapleigh, Wyckoff, and many more genealogical frauds. He also published a reference on the Ulster Country, New York, Probate Records. For a more thorough list of his junk genealogies, conduct a search in WorldCat<\/a> or Google Books<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Gustave<\/a>
Gustave Anjou\u2019s passport photo (1924)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even Anjou\u2019s name is a sham or half-truth. His passport application of 1924 reported his father as \u201cCharles Gustave Marie Anjou\u201d and that he was born in Paris, France. This fabrication was derived from his parents\u2019 names, Carl Gustaf Jungberg and housekeeper, Maria Lovia Hapberg, along with the Anjou reference from his fianc\u00e9e (later wife), Anna Maria Anjou. The passport application noted he was naturalized in 1918 and that he was following the occupation of genealogist.<\/p>\n

\"Gustave<\/a>
Gustave Anjou\u2019s passport application (1924)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

References to Anjou\u2019s association with genealogy can be found in New York City records:<\/p>\n