Does "Bearing a Resemblance" to Bonnie & Clyde or any Historical Figure -- Make a Difference to History??

The short answer is "No" and it may be fun to fantasize-- but seemingly when it's perceived there's $$ to be made-- a whole lot of wannabe Bonnie & Clydes surface, in supposed artifacts and photos said found everywhere from Timbuktu to Tanzania.  The person depicted in the split image with President Abraham Lincoln, has just claim to his resemblance-- a 3rd Cousin named Ralph C. Lincoln.  And although "Honest Abe" also perished tragically-- where President Lincoln is concerned, at least there exists a cornucopia of historical material including photographs.       

However with Bonnie & Clyde-- unfortunately based on the times in which they lived and family circumstances-- there has existed a quite finite pool of mostly family-held possessions which survived them.  We now know for example, what happened to almost all of Bonnie Parker's personal effects-- burned by a Parker Aunt over a dispute with Billie.  What an incredibly sad reality.  The  majority of personally-held items held within the families for decades-- have largely been dispersed via auction to private collectors or the public.  Although some of these items (particularly photographs) have been known to re-surface through resale-- it's not often that the "real thing" finds the light of day once again.   

Through my work on this history-- it's been my good fortune, to know a couple of most interesting and sweet ladies associated with the Parker and Barrow families-- and over time to have been given the opportunity to own a number of Bonnie & Clyde related personal effects and artifacts.  So when others believe they may have items of interest possibly connected to this history-- sometimes when I open my e-mail-- I'll find an approach by someone asking for assistance in verifying their items.

As part of my investigation into these approaches-- I always ask about the motivation for trying to discern authenticity of supposed Bonnie & Clyde artifacts.  Sometimes, it's purely historical-- which I view as "a breath of fresh air" concerning these inquisitive journeys.  However more often than not-- there's a back story and financial goal to be achieved, whether it be helping family members or in the case of one approach recently-- helping a local animal shelter (a cause near & dear to my heart).  So often, good and admirable goals-- however this desire or need for money, often taints what should be an objective approach with results kindly accepted-- whether the answer be an honest "yea or nay".

Then there are the attitudes expressed based on these inquiries-- often having to do with peoples graciousness (or lack of it) in accepting disappointment-- when items are deemed non-authentic (unfortunately and usually the case).  Within my old-school experience-- gracious people remain gracious regardless of circumstance.  It would be nice if that wonderful human trait could remain constant-- as constant as the sometimes selfish and illogical expressions made, when things don't go exactly as some people would prefer. 

As always-- I remain loyal to the truth concerning Bonnie & Clyde History.  As such, I appreciate the kind words expressed to both myself and other equally loyal, kind and knowledgeable souls like Frank Ballinger among others-- who put their caring on the front lines of public access to this history day in and day out.  Along with this access, sometimes comes the need to sort the wheat from the chaff-- and be straight-forwardly open and politely blunt, about historically relevant issues. 

Bonnie & Clyde History can be both wonderfully fulfilling and emotionally nerve-racking-- and sometimes simultaneously.  Bless all those committed to truth within this history-- for "unlike" the famous Gordon Gekkoism-- no, "Truth is Good".

A postscript-- Speaking of Frank Ballinger-- upon reading this post, he sent along a link to a new feature on The Hideout concerning Bonnie & Clyde History lookalikes.  A "fun thing" to enjoy.  Frank and I have both fielded serious requests recently, to verify photographic Bonnie & Clyde's-- which have resulted in less than polite reaction, from those unwilling to let go of obsessions they apparently cannot reconcile.  Thus on a lighter note-- please enjoy this link from Frank.  http://texashideout.tripod.com/lookalike.html I must say-- I would wholeheartedly support Ed O'Neal to play "Uncle Bud" Russell in some future Bonnie & Clyde movie effort.  Man-- would he add a wry sense of humor, toward enforcing his own brand of prisoner conveyance.  Also, the H. D. Murphy/Julian "Buck" Blagg comparison is downright "remarkable".