06 January 2010

Boston: Hoaxes & Truths, Jan. 17

A number of Holocaust account hoaxes have resulted in major news stories. Forensic genealogy played a part in solving these cases.

"Forensic Genealogy: Uncovering Hoaxes, Confirming Truths" with Sharon Sergeant, is the topic at the next meeting of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Boston on Sunday, January 17.

The program begins at 1.30pm at Temple Emanuel, Newton.
This program discusses how the genealogical research methods and skills – used to create family trees and family histories -- are also used in "detective" situations: uncovering frauds and hoaxes, or establishing historical truths. The speaker gives examples of two cases she worked on that were widely reported in the press: "Misha the Wolf Girl" and "Angel at the Fence.”

Sharon Sergeant received international acclaim for exposing the Misha Defonseca “Jewish hidden child aided by wolves” and Herman Rosenblat "apple over the fence" Holocaust frauds.


As an adjunct professor at Boston University, Sharon created the "Problem Solving Techniques and Technology" module in the genealogical professional development program. She combines technology and the Genealogy Proof Standard methods to research both modern and antiquarian records.

Her articles have been published in the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, and the PI magazine. Sharon has served as Program Director for local and regional genealogical societies.
The program is free for JGSGB members and $5 for non-members. Refreshments will be served. For directions, click here. Click JGSGB for more information about the society.

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