Copyright 1999-2004 by SBM - Upadated - 09 May 2005

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MEMBERSHIP ROLL

MEMBERSHIP

THE 7 RULES

2) This is a private association; however, anyone may ask to join.  The Founder reserves the right to exercise his executive authority in order to preserve and protect this Association.

3) There is only one (1) membership level - Associate Member. Status as a heraldic novice (i.e., Heraldic Beginner) or an heraldic intermediate (i.e., Heraldic Student) is voluntary and optional - not mandatory.

4) Members must stay focused on heraldry.

5) Members must respect the intellectual property and copyrights of others.

6) If you must critique, then keep it helpful, polite and simple.

7) The Founder and the AAH Message Board Moderators will excerise their authority to safeguard the dignity, productivity and tranquility of this Association.

Message from the Founder

No other restrictions apply!  If your membership request is approved ... you are free to continue membership in any other organization you might belong to.  ~ SBM

UNSCRUPULOUS HERALDRY-MONGERS & BUCKET SHOPS

Formerly, the term Bucket Shop was used to describe a cheap saloon selling liquor by the bucket.  Today it is largely used to describe an unethical or unlicensed or illegally operated and/or overly aggressive brokerage firm which sells securities that are typically poor investment opportunities.   Amongst serious heraldic enthusiasts this term is frequently used to describe unscrupulous heraldry-mongers who dispense coats of arms by the bucket load with no regard for the rights of armigers. Typically, they have a large database which contains images of historic and/or bogus and/or inaccurate armorial bearings.  Even if their renderings are accurate representations of historic arms, these heraldry-mongers will neglect to tell their customers that there might be anywhere from one to one hundred arms listed under any given surname.  Further, when you ask these heraldry-mongers "What's my coat of arms?" or "What's my family crest?" they won't bother to tell you that under the Laws of Arms in countries following the English tradition armorial bearings DO NOT belong to all persons of a given surname and may rightfully be borne ONLY by the direct descendants of the individual to whom they were first granted or allowed.  (See this enlightening leaflet published by the Society of Genealogists in London and this helpful article at the britianusa.com website).  Nor will these heraldry-mongers advise you that the right to historic arms may not be so clear-cut in countries where there is a tradition of clan-based heraldry. (See for example the article on this website by Michael Waas of the Westphalian Heraldry Society).  [BACK]

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Copyright 1999-2004 by SBM.  No part of the webpages on this website may be reproduced in any form without written permission from SBM.   ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  Commercial use of the clipart and/or images that appear anywhere on this website is strictly forbidden.  If you own and/or operate or are in any way associated with a commercial genealogy and/or heraldry company, then DO NOT use the clipart or images found anywhere on this website.