Willow Tree Genealogy Terms of Use
Effective Date: June 10, 2026
Welcome to Willow Tree Genealogy. These Terms of Use govern your access to and use of the Willow Tree Genealogy website, including any webpages, research materials, family history content, forms, communications, downloadable materials, and related services made available through the website.
By accessing or using this website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree with these Terms, you should not use this website.
Genealogical and Historical Research Disclaimer
Willow Tree Genealogy provides genealogical, family history, historical, and educational information and services. Genealogical research often depends on public records, archival materials, third-party databases, family-provided information, oral histories, historical publications, census records, vital records, military records, cemetery records, immigration records, newspaper articles, DNA-related information when voluntarily provided, and other sources that may be incomplete, inconsistent, inaccurate, unavailable, or subject to interpretation.
Although Willow Tree Genealogy makes reasonable efforts to provide accurate and useful information, we do not guarantee that any record, family connection, date, name, location, lineage, relationship, historical conclusion, or research is complete, accurate, final, or error-free. Genealogical conclusions may change as new evidence becomes available.
You acknowledge that genealogical research may involve uncertainty and that records may contain spelling variations, transcription errors, conflicting information, mistaken identities, missing documents, unofficial entries, or historically inaccurate details. You are encourage to independently verify important findings using original source records whenever possible.
No Professional Advice
The content and services provided through this website are for general genealogical, historical, and educational purposes only. Nothing on this website constitutes legal, tax, financial, medical, genetic, adoption, citizenship, immigration, probate, inheritance, tribal enrollment, or other professional advice.
If your genealogical research may affect legal rights, estate matters, citizenship applications, adoption records, inheritance claims, DNA interpretation, medical history, tribal affiliation, or any formal proceeding, you should consult an appropriate qualified professional.
Use of the Website
You may use this website only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms of Use. You agree not to:
· Use the website in any way that violates any applicable law or regulation.
· Submit false, misleading, defamatory, invasive, unlawful, or unauthorized information.
· Provide personal information about living individuals unless you have the legal right or appropriate consent to do so.
· Attempt to gain unauthorized information access to the website, its systems, or any related accounts.
· Copy, scrape, harvest, reproduce, or redistribute website content except as expressly permitted.
· Interfere with the operation, security, or availability of the website.
· Use the website to harass, identify, expose, exploit, or harm any person.
· Misrepresent your identity, authority, family relationship, or right to submit information.
Willow Tree Genealogy reserves the right to suspend, restrict, or terminate access to the website or services if we believe a user has violated these Terms or engaged in inappropriate, unlawful, or harmful conduct.
User-submitted Information
You may have the opportunity to submit, names, dates, locations, family stories, documents, photographs, research notes, family trees, questions, comments, or other information to Willow Tree Genealogy.
By submitting information, you represent and warrant that:
· The information is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
· You have the right to submit the information.
· Your submission does not violate the privacy, intellectual property, contractual, publicity, or other rights of any person.
· You have obtained any necessary consent before submitting information about living individuals.
· Your submission does not contain unlawful, defamatory, abusive, obscene, threatening, or harmful material.
You remain responsible for the information you submit. Willow Tree Genealogy is not responsible for verifying every item of user-submitted information and may rely on information provided by users as part of genealogical research.
Living Persons and Sensitive Information
Genealogical research may involve sensitive information, including information about living individuals, family relationships, adoptions, parentage, DNA results, medical history, immigration history, criminal records, marital history, or other private matters.
You agree not to submit sensitive personal information about a living person unless you have the right or consent to do so. Willow Tree Genealogy may decline to publish, remove, redact, or limit access to information concerning living individuals or sensitive family matters.
Willow Tree Genealogy may also decline to research, publish, or discuss certain information if doing so may invade privacy, create harm, violate applicable law, or conflict with ethical genealogical practices.
Research Report and Deliverables
If Willow Tree Genealogy provides research reports, family trees, summaries, charts, timelines, source lists, or other deliverables, those materials are based on the records and information available at the time the work is performed.
Research deliverables are not guaranteed to prove a specific ancestry, lineage, relationship, identity, ethnicity, nationality, inheritance right, citizenship right, tribal affiliation, legal claim, or other outcome. Fees, if any, are for research time, analysis, preparation, and related services, not for a guaranteed result.
Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, research findings are provided for personal, family, historical, or educational use. Any use of research findings in legal, immigration, probate, citizenship, inheritance, tribal enrollment, or other official proceedings should be reviewed by an appropriate professional.
Third-Party Sources and Links
This website may refer to or link to third-party website, archives, databases, libraries, historical societies, public records, subscription platforms, DNA services, cemetery databases, newspaper repositories, or other external sources.
Willow Tree Genealogy does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy, policies, availability, fees, privacy practices, or terms of any third-party website or service. Links are provided for convenience and informational purposes only. Your use of third-party websites and services is at your own risk and subject to the terms and policies of those third parties.
Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise stated, the text, design, graphics, research summaries, website layout, original written content, and other materials on this website are owned by or licensed to Willow Tree Genealogy and are protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.
You may view and print reasonable portions of the website for personal, non-commercial genealogical or educational use, provided that you do not remove copyright notices or misrepresent the source of the material.
You may not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, publish, sell, license, create derivative works from, or commercially exploit website content without prior written permission from Willow Tree Genealogy, except where permitted by law.
Historical Materials and Public Records
Some genealogical materials may originate from public records, archival collections, historical publications, or third-party sources. Public availability of a record does not necessarily mean that Willow Tree Genealogy owns that record or that all uses of the record are unrestricted.
You are responsible for determining whether your intended use of any record, image, document, quotation, or third-party material complies with applicable copyright, privacy, archive, database, and licensing restrictions.
Privacy
Your use of this website may involve the submission or processing of personal information. Willow Tree Genealogy’s collection, use, and handling of personal information should be described in a separate Privacy Policy (see below).
By using the website, you acknowledge that you have reviewed the Privacy Policy, if one is posted, and understand that genealogical research may involve the handling of family information, historical records, and information about living or deceased individuals.
Payments and Fees
If Willow Tree Genealogy offers paid research, consultation, document preparation, family tree services, or other paid services, fees and payment terms will be provided separately or at the time of engagement.
Unless otherwise stated in writing, payments are for research time, professional effort, document review, analysis, preparation, communication, and related services. Because genealogical research cannot guarantee a specific result, payment obligations are not dependent on finding a particular ancestor, record, relationship, document, or conclusion.
Any refund, cancellation, or rescheduling policy should be stated in the applicable service agreement, invoice, proposal, or written communication.
No Guarantee of Availability
Willow Tree Genealogy may update, modify, suspend, or discontinue any portion of the website or services at any time without notice. We do not guarantee that the website will be uninterrupted, secure, error-free, or available at all times.
We are not responsible for technical failures, data loss, service interruptions, website downtime, third-party platform issues, malware, unauthorized access, or events beyond our reasonable control.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Willow Tree Genealogy, its owners, employees, contractors, affiliates, representatives, and service providers will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages arising from or related to your use of the website, reliance on website content, use of genealogical research, third-party records, user-submitted information, unavailable documents, errors, omissions, or inability to access the website.
This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory asserted, including contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise, even if Willow Tree Genealogy has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Some jurisdictions do not allow for certain limitations of liability, so some of the above limitations may not apply to you.
Disclaimer of Warranties
This website and all content, materials, services, and information are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Willow Tree Genealogy makes no warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied, regarding the website, content, records, research results, third-party materials, or services.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Willow Tree Genealogy disclaims all warranties, including implied warranties of accuracy, completeness, reliability, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non-infringement.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Willow Tree Genealogy, its owners, employees, contractors, affiliates, representatives, and service providers from and against any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, expenses, and fees, including reasonable attorneys’ fees arising from or related to:
· Your use of the website.
· Your violation of these Terms of Use.
· Information or materials you submit.
· Your violation of any law or third-party right.
· Your misuse of genealogical, historical, personal, or sensitive information.
Changes to These Terms
Willow Tree Genealogy may update or revise these Terms of Use from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this website with a revised effective date. Your continued use of the website after changes are posted means that you accept the updated Terms.
You should review these Terms periodically to stay informed of any changes.
Governing Law
Unless otherwise required by applicable law, these Terms of Use are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms, the website, or services provided by Willow Tree Genealogy will be handled in the courts located in Alameda County, California, unless another venue or dispute resolution process is required by applicable law or agreed to in writing.
Contact Information
If you have questions about these Terms of Use, please contact:
Willow Tree Genealogy
Jennifer@WillowTreeGenealogy.com
Website Disclosure and Conditions Statement
Use of this website constitutes acceptance of these Terms of Use and the disclosures stated on this website. Genealogical research involves uncertainty, and Willow Tree Genealogy does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or legal effect of any research result, family connection, historical conclusion, or third-party record.
Privacy Policy for Willow Tree Genealogy
Effective Date: June 10, 2026
Willow Tree Genealogy (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you visit or use our website and services.
Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information:
· Personal Information: Name, email address, account details, and any other information you voluntarily provide when creating a family tree or contacting us.
· Genealogical Data: Family relationships, historical records, photos, and other ancestry-related information you upload or enter.
· Usage Data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, and interaction data collected automatically through cookies and analytics tools.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
· Provide and improve our genealogy services
· Allow you to create, manage, and share family trees
· Communicate with you about your account and updates
· Ensure security and prevent misuse of our platform
· Comply with legal obligations
Sharing of Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following cases:
· With your consent: When you choose to share family trees or records publicly or with other users
· Service providers: Trusted third parties who help operate the website (e.g., hosting, analytics)
· Legal requirements: If required by law or to protect rights and safety
Public and Shared Content
Genealogy platforms often involve sharing information. Please note:
· Any information you choose to make public (such as family trees or profiles) may be visible to others
· Be mindful when uploading information about living individuals; you are responsible for obtaining appropriate consent where required
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
· Maintain your session and preferences
· Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
· Improve functionality and user experience
You can control cookies through your browser settings.
Data Retention
We retain your information as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. You may request deletion of your data at any time, subject to legal and operational requirements.
Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
· Access, update, or delete your personal data
· Request a copy of your data
· Object to or restrict certain processing
· Withdraw consent where applicable
To exercise these rights, contact us at Jennifer@WillowTreeGenealogy.com
Children’s Privacy
Our services are not intended for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Willow Tree Genealogy
Jennifer@WillowTreeGenealogy.com
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