Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 29 August 2026
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
I collect the following information:
1. Personal Information
Name and email address for communication and optional marketing.
Payment details (processed securely via Zelle, Stripe, Venmo, or PayPal).
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Historical documents and records discovered during research.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, this site’s 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 Adams Genealogy Studio’s services, you consent to:
Using your provided genealogical information for research purposes.
Storing genealogical data for project completion or future enhancements.
Processing your provided genealogical information and records gathered during research, through the services listed under Third-Party Service Providers, including AI-assisted formatting, transcription, and analysis, for the purpose of completing your project.
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 the platforms below solely for project completion. I use the following services. Each 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.
Data Formatting and Research Assistance: Anthropic (Claude) may be used to format family files for layout and during research projects to assist with record transcription, analysis, and report drafting.
Project and Payment Management: Squarespace, Airtable, Stripe, Venmo, Zelle.
Document and Artwork File Storage: Google Drive
Calendar Booking Platform: Calendly
How AI Tools Are Used
I use an AI assistant (Claude, from Anthropic) as a production tool. What it does depends on the kind of project.
Family tree artwork
The only data I load is the family information you provide. If you have given me a digital file, I load that file. If you have given me access to your Ancestry tree, I download family group sheets or copy your data out. Claude then reads that information and formats names, dates, and places into the layout format chosen for your artwork. Claude is not used to design your artwork. Layout, typography, and design decisions are mine.
Genealogy research
I gather the records. I may upload them to Claude to assist with transcription, analysis, and summarizing findings, and I plan to write your research report with Claude's assistance, directing and revising as we go. Claude does not determine what your records prove. I verify every source, I draw the conclusions, and I check every statement in your report against the sources before it reaches you.
In both cases:
Your family information is processed through Anthropic's service to perform these tasks. It is not posted publicly, shared with other clients, or published anywhere.
I do not connect AI tools to your Ancestry account or any other site where your family data lives. Only the files and records I already hold are processed.
Anthropic's model training setting is turned off for my account, so your family information is not used to train Claude's models.
If you would prefer I not use AI assistance on your project, tell me before we begin. For artwork, I will format your names manually instead. For research, these tools are part of how I work, so we would need to talk through what that would change about scope, timeline, and cost.
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
Project Retention: Your genealogical data will be stored securely for potential future project updates or extensions of lines.
Complete Deletion: Upon request, I will delete all project-related data from my own systems, and request deletion from the third-party services listed above. Deletion from those services completes within their standard windows, typically 30 days.
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 my 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 my practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page, and clients will be notified of significant changes via email.
Contact
For privacy inquiries, email privacy@adamsgenealogystudio.com. Responses are typically provided within 3 business days.