Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 25, 2026

Who We Are

The Relative Detective is a genealogy website that offers beginner-friendly family history help, guides, resources, family tree support, record clue guidance, and practical research organization.

Information We May Collect

We may collect information you choose to provide, such as your name, email address, messages submitted through contact forms, service request details, or newsletter signup information.

If you request genealogy help, you may choose to share family history details, ancestor names, dates, places, records, family relationships, screenshots, notes, or other information related to your research question.

How We Use Your Information

Information you provide may be used to:

• Respond to your questions or messages
• Review whether your genealogy question is a good fit
• Provide requested family history help or research guidance
• Send updates if you sign up for emails
• Improve website content, resources, and services
• Maintain website security and prevent spam

Email Signups

If you sign up for email updates, your email address may be used to send occasional updates, announcements, genealogy tips, free resources, membership news, or information about new website content.

You may unsubscribe from these emails at any time.

Genealogy Information

Genealogy research may involve names, dates, places, family relationships, records, photos, family stories, and other historical information. Please only submit information that you are comfortable sharing for the purpose of receiving help or guidance.

The Relative Detective does not sell your personal genealogy information.

Use of AI Tools

The Relative Detective may use AI tools to help organize notes, draft website content, summarize research questions, create images, brainstorm resources, improve wording, or explain genealogy topics in a clearer way.

AI may be used as a helper when creating content or organizing information, but it is not a final authority on genealogy facts. Important names, dates, records, relationships, and conclusions should always be checked against reliable sources whenever possible.

Please avoid submitting highly sensitive personal information unless it is necessary for your question and you are comfortable sharing it.

Cookies and Website Analytics

This website may use cookies, analytics tools, spam protection tools, or similar technologies to understand how visitors use the site, improve performance, and protect the website from unwanted activity.

Your browser may allow you to disable or manage cookies through your browser settings.

Affiliate Links

Some pages may include affiliate links. This means The Relative Detective may earn a small commission if you click a link and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.

For more details, please see the Affiliate Disclosure.

Third-Party Websites

The Relative Detective may link to third-party websites, genealogy tools, records websites, archives, books, products, or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, prices, record accuracy, or policies of third-party websites.

How Your Information Is Protected

Reasonable steps are taken to protect information submitted through this website. However, no website, email system, form, or online transmission is completely secure.

Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. Information may be shared only when necessary to operate the website, comply with legal obligations, prevent fraud or abuse, use trusted service providers, or provide a service you requested.

Children’s Privacy

This website is intended for a general audience and is not directed toward children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Your Choices

You may contact The Relative Detective to ask questions about your information, request corrections, or request that certain information you provided be deleted, when possible.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.

Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact The Relative Detective through the Contact page.