Practice Safe Genealogy - How to Protect Yourself From Scams
Learn how to recognize and protect yourself from some of the most common genealogy myths, hoaxes and scams. 1960 Census Myths and Facts - Explained
Peter Graham of Rutgers University Libraries debunks the myth surrounding missing 1960 census tapes.
America's First Families - Fraudulent Lineages
GUSTAVE ANJOU (1863-1942) was a purported genealogist who created many forged and fraudulent lineages for wealthy clients. Learn how to recognize one of his phoney family histories. Baker Hoax
Learn about one of the largest inheritance scams of the 19th century - one that had thousands of Bakers tracing their family lineage and paying attorney fees to prove their right to a non-existant estate. Consumer Warning - FamilyDiscover.com
The Genealogical Web Sites Watchdog issues a warning about FamilyDiscovery.com based on multiple consumer complaints to the Better Business Bureau. Don't Expect to Find Much in Books of Family Names
This article by Terence L. Day warns you about the many publishers marketing so-called family name books. False and Faked Mayflower Genealogies
A collection of the most commonly known false and faked Mayflower lines from Caleb Johnson. Falsified Birth Certificates
Some states allow people to modify birth certificates, especially to conceal an adoption. Genealogical Web Site Watchdog
This site, run by Ancestor DetectiveŽ, lists Web sites which provide misleading or inaccurate genealogical information as a public service to the genealogical community. Genealogy Hall of Shame
The International Black Sheep Society Of Genealogists monitors genealogy Web sites for illegal or unethical practices. National Fraud Information Center
This site, while not genealogy-specific, includes fraud alerts and an [url link=http://www.fraud.org/info/contactnfic.htm]Internet form[/url] for reporting scams and frauds. Our Readers Talk About Family Discovery.com...
A message board of updates and complaints about the practices of the FamilyDiscovery.com, GenSeekers.com and Genealogy-Express.com Web sites. The Phony Inheritance Scam
The U.S. Postal Service posts a warning about mail from "estate locators" saying that there is an unclaimed inheritance waiting for you. Pilgrim Myths and Realities
This site discusses many of the famous myths surrounding the Pilgrims which, while based on real traditions and actual events, do not reflect what actually happened in the past. Use of Credentials & Postnominals in Professional Genealogy
When hiring a professional genealogist, don't be misled by inappropriate use of postnominals implying special qualifications. This article explains the variety of credentials held by members of the Association of Professional Genealogists. The Right to Arms
A detailed explanation of how individuals are granted a coat of arms, from the Society of Genealogists in London, England. Was She Really Grand Duchess Anastasia?
Dave Howey discusses his meeting with Anna Anderson, a woman who claimed to be Anastasia, the surviving daughter of Nicholas II, the last Romanov czar of Russia.
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