Importance of Evidence in Researching Bnei Anusim
As genealogists, we emphasise evidence. If we assert that someone was forced to convert, such claims must be substantiated. While it is plausible that many Jews converted to Christianity under duress, others converted for personal belief, social advantage, or familial reasons. Without solid evidence, we cannot accurately assert individuals’ motives.
Bnei Anousim is an alternate spelling for Bnei Anusim
Evidence from the Inquisition
Inquisition records, where available, may include accusations of practising Judaism, which might be false. Research in Spain and Mexico indicates that knowledge of normative Judaism often dissipated within two generations.
Despite the Inquisition’s judicial structure, it was not a fair tribunal. It had a vested interest in securing convictions as it was funded through confiscations from the accused. Individuals working for the Inquisition may also have been motivated by racism, chauvinism, political machinations, or other reasons.
Ethical Considerations in Research Bnei Anusim
Promoting false claims about Jewish ancestry, whether for personal, academic, or financial gain, undermines the integrity of genealogical research and can lead to the erosion of trust in the field. As members of the genealogical community, we have a duty to uphold rigorous standards of evidence and to respect the historical and cultural narratives of the communities we study.
In researching Bnei Anusim we need to carefully differentiate between identitarian beliefs and genealogical evidence. We cannot legitimately make genealogical claims based on belief. The Sephardic community is not large and lacks the funds to push back against unevidenced claims of Sephardic ancestry, which is a form of cultural appropriation.
There is no harm in researching a possibility that ancestors were Bnei Anusim, but to make the claim without evidence is unhelpful to yourself and potentially harmful to others.
Link: Code of Conduct of the Sephardic Genealogical Society
Certificates of Sephardic Ancestry and Surname Reports for Bnei Anusim
A number of individuals and groups are selling certificates of Sephardic ancestry and surname reports. I cannot comment on all of them but, where I have seen the documents passed to the ‘expert’, none come close to meeting accepted genealogical standards. One of the people issuing such documents is a convicted felon. If you are researching believed Bnei Anusim ancestry, you may want to save your money and not buy one of these pieces of paper.
Known Non-Jewish Communities of Sephardic Jewish Ancestry
Several non-Jewish communities are known to have Jewish ancestry, supported by historical records. These include:
- Belmonte and other locales in Portugal.
- Chuetas of Majorca, Spain
- Dönmeh in Turkey, descendants of followers of Sabbatai Zevi, a false messiah who later converted to Islam.
