Genealogy is history personalized. It is the story of the everyday ancestors in our trees who made history happen. Every experience and personality played a role in shaping larger events. As researchers, we do our best to accurately share those stories, striving to record facts, prove relationships, and provide historical context for every family member. Dedicated genealogists know not to shape or bend the branches of a family tree to make it grow in a specific direction. So, when there is a hoax in the family, both our trees and our good intentions are shaken.

Candice Buchanan is a reference librarian at the Library of Congress, specializing in Local History and Genealogy. Prior to joining the Library, she worked as a genealogist and archivist for Memory Medallion, Inc., Genealogists.com, and the Orphans’ Court at the Greene County, Pennsylvania Courthouse