Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy - Storyline Genealogy

Last updated: November 9, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to Storyline Genealogy ("we," "our," or "us"). We are a professional genealogy research service specializing in Irish, Philippine, and French-Canadian family history. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your family information with the respect and confidentiality it deserves.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you use our website, request research services, or engage with our content.

By using our Services or providing us with family information, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

a. Client Information You Provide

When you contact us for research services, we collect:

Your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
Payment information (processed securely through our payment provider)
Family information you share for research purposes, including:
- Names, dates, locations, and relationships of ancestors
- Family documents, photographs, and historical records
- Oral histories and family stories
- DNA test results you've received from testing companies (we analyze results but do not collect DNA samples)
- Information about living family members (only when you provide explicit permission to include them in research)

b. Website Visitor Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

Browser type, IP address, and device information
Pages visited, time spent on site, and referring URLs
Basic analytics through cookies to improve site functionality

You can manage cookies through your browser settings.

c. Sensitive Family Information

We understand that genealogical research involves personal and sensitive information about your family, both living and deceased. We handle all such information with professional confidentiality. We only share information about living individuals with your explicit written permission.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Conduct genealogical research on your behalf using professional standards and methodology
Create family narratives and reports that transform genealogical data into compelling stories
Access third-party archives including FamilySearch, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), Library and Archives Canada, Ancestry.com, and other historical record repositories (these services have their own privacy policies)
Communicate with you about your research project, findings, and deliverables
Process payments for research services
Create password-protected family archives when requested
Develop educational case studies for our professional portfolio (only with your explicit written permission, and with appropriate anonymization when requested)
Send occasional newsletters about genealogy topics and new case studies (only if you opt in)
Maintain site security and improve our Services
Comply with professional genealogy standards including Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) guidelines

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information or family data to third parties.

4. How We Share Information

We maintain strict confidentiality as professional genealogists. We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:

With family members you designate for password-protected family archives or shared research
In published case studies on our website or professional portfolio (only with your explicit written permission, and we can anonymize family names or use pseudonyms if requested)
With archival institutions when submitting records or contributing to historical preservation (with your permission)
With trusted service providers who help operate our website (e.g., Squarespace hosting, payment processors, email services) under strict confidentiality agreements
If required by law or to protect our rights, your safety, or others' safety
In aggregated, anonymized form for historical research or genealogy methodology education

We will never share your personal contact information with third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Professional Research File Retention

As a professional genealogy research service, we retain:

Research files and documentation for active and completed projects to maintain professional standards and support ongoing family research
Client communication related to research projects
Evidence and source materials compiled during research

You may request:

Copies of all research files we've created for your family
That your information be excluded from future public case studies
That specific documents or information be returned or deleted (we will accommodate reasonable requests while maintaining professional archival standards)

6. Your Privacy Choices

You can:

Control what we publish: Explicitly approve or decline any use of your family information in public case studies
Request anonymization: Ask that family names be changed or generalized in published content
Update your information: Contact us anytime to correct or update family information in our research files
Unsubscribe from newsletters: Use the "unsubscribe" link in any email or contact us directly
Request deletion: Ask us to delete your contact information and research files (we may retain certain records for legitimate business reasons, such as completed research documentation or financial records)

7. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your family information, including:

Secure file storage systems
Password-protected family archives
Encrypted payment processing through trusted third-party providers
Limited access to client information

However, no system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted over the internet.

8. Third-Party Archives and Services

Our research involves accessing multiple third-party genealogical databases and archives, including:

FamilySearch
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ)
Library and Archives Canada
Ancestry.com
Newspapers.com
Various Irish, Philippine, and French-Canadian archives

These services have their own privacy policies governing how they handle genealogical records and user information. We encourage you to review their policies if you have concerns about how your searches or information may be used by these platforms.

9. International Users and Data Transfer

Storyline Genealogy is based in the United States. If you are contacting us from outside the U.S., please note that your information may be processed and stored in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those in your country. By using our Services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the U.S.

We comply with applicable international data protection regulations when working with clients in the European Union (GDPR), California (CCPA), and other jurisdictions with specific privacy requirements.

10. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Genealogical research naturally involves information about children (both living and deceased) as part of family histories, but we do not directly market to or collect information from minors.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The latest version will always be available on this page with the date of last revision clearly marked. Significant changes will be communicated to active clients via email.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, your family information, or our research practices, please contact us:

Email: info@storylinegenealogy.com

Website: https://wwwlstorylinegenealogy.com

Mailing address available upon request

This Privacy Policy reflects our commitment to professional genealogical standards and ethical handling of family history information. Thank you for trusting Storyline Genealogy with your family's story.