At some point you may receive a postcard or letter from publishing firms in Ohio or Pennsylvania named Talbot’s, Inc., and “Mary Whitney – American Genealogist”. These firms will try to convince you that they have your family history ready for publication and will ask you to send $29.95 for your “reserved” copy. Mary Whitney will even send you a lovely photograph of her family; husband, kids and all, hoping that you’ll be convinced that without the book you won’t know who your ancestors are. What they won’t tell you is that they are both frauds. They know absolutely nothing about your family genealogy,and they could care less. What they do care about is separating you from your money. What they will send you for your money is a brief history of early America and will include a few pages at the back of the book, listing people with your last name and giving a home address. This list consists of names that they have purloined from phone directories across the nation and will tell you absolutely nothing about your family ancestry. Both of these firms are counting on you buying their book out of curiosity, and further banking on you not asking for your money back after you discover that you’ve been had. I urge you to not fall for this deceptive sales pitch. Throw the letter in the trash where it belongs.

Tags: GENEALOGY, Imposter