Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 26 Nov 2024

About Adams Genealogy Studio

Adams Genealogy Studio is a Cincinnati, Ohio-based genealogical research and family tree design service committed to protecting your personal and historical information.

Information Collection and Types

We collect the following information:

1. Personal Information

  • Name and email address for communication and optional marketing.

  • Payment details (processed securely via Stripe, Venmo, Paypal or EFT).

2. Genealogical Information

  • Family history data provided by you.

  • Historical documents and records discovered during research.

Automatic Data Collection

  • Website Usage Data: Collected via Google Analytics, anonymized and aggregated, to understand site performance and improve user experience.

  • Website Interaction Data: Collected by Squarespace, our hosting platform, to monitor functionality, optimize site performance, and enhance security.

  • Cookies: This site uses cookies and similar technologies via Squarespace to improve functionality and track anonymized usage data. For more details, see Squarespace's Cookie Policy.

Consent and Data Usage

By engaging our services, you consent to:

  • Using your provided genealogical information for research purposes.

  • Storing genealogical data for project completion or future enhancements.

  • Anonymizing aggregated data for internal research purposes.

Clients may opt out of marketing communications by clicking "unsubscribe" in emails or sending a request to privacy@adamsgenealogystudio.com.

Third-Party Service Providers

Your data may be shared with trusted platforms solely for project completion. We utilize the following secure platforms. Each platform maintains its own privacy policy and additional information on security protocols. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest.

  • Design Tools: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

  • Genealogy Research: Ancestry.com.

  • Project and Payment Management: Squarespace, Airtable, Stripe, Venmo.

  • Calendar Booking Platform: Calendly

Stock Imagery

  • Static imagery and design assets for branding elements and family tree designs have been licensed from Adobe Stock and iStock under standard licensing agreements.

  • Licensed imagery is for inclusion in family tree designs only and may not be reused or redistributed independently.

Data Handling Commitments

  • No living individuals’ birth years or sensitive details are included without explicit consent.

  • All sensitive information is securely encrypted during storage and transfer.

Data Security Measures

  • Multi-factor authentication on all accounts.

  • Local (Apple) computer workstations are secured and encrypted via FileVault.

  • Access Control: Restricted access to client information.

  • Regular security audits and updates.

  • Compliance with U.S. data protection standards.

Data Breach Notification

  • In the unlikely event of a data breach, Adams Genealogy Studio will notify affected clients promptly, following applicable data protection laws. Notifications will include the nature of the breach, the data concerned, and any recommended steps clients should take.

Data Retention Options

  1. Project Retention: Your genealogical data will be stored securely for potential future project updates or extensions of lines.

  2. Complete Deletion: Upon request, we will permanently delete all project-related data.

Client Rights

You have the right to:

  • Request access to your collected information; data will be provided in a standard structured format, e.g., CSV or PDF.

  • Request corrections to stored data.

  • Choose data retention or deletion.

  • Opt out of any future communication.

  • Clients will receive confirmation via email once their requests for corrections or deletions have been processed.

Compliance with Data Privacy Laws

  • GDPR: International clients can request data access, corrections, portability, or deletion in compliance with GDPR.

  • CCPA: California residents may request to know what data is collected, request deletion, or opt out of data sharing.

International Considerations

While our services are primarily U.S.-focused, international clients are welcome and subject to the same privacy protections.

Future Updates to the Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page, and clients will be notified of significant changes via email.

Contact Us

For privacy inquiries, email privacy@adamsgenealogystudio.com. Responses are typically provided within 3 business days.