Privacy Policy

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1. Purpose and Scope

Faith Walk Genealogy ("Faith Walk Genealogy," "we," "us," or "our") respects the privacy of clients, prospective clients, DNA test takers, DNA matches, living relatives, agency representatives, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and protect personal information through www.faithwalkgenealogy.com, our consultation and agency-inquiry forms, scheduling and payment services, communications, and professional genealogy and DNA research services.

This Policy applies to information handled by Faith Walk Genealogy. Third-party websites, DNA testing companies, genealogy databases, record repositories, scheduling tools, payment processors, Zoom, and other external services have their own privacy practices. Their policies apply when you use their services.

2. Information We Collect

• Contact details, such as your name, email address, telephone number, preferred contact method, and general location.

• Consultation and inquiry details, including the general type of assistance requested, DNA testing companies used, preferred appointment time, and a brief non-sensitive description of the research question.

• Agency-inquiry details, including the representative's name, title, agency or organization, official contact information, jurisdiction, general type of inquiry, and confirmation of authority to make the inquiry.

• Engagement and business records, including proposals, signed agreements, authorizations, invoices, payment status, approved expenses, and communications.

• Research information provided after engagement, which may include family trees, historical records, DNA match information, research notes, photographs, correspondence, and other genealogical or identifying information needed for the authorized project.

• Communication preferences and any choice to receive optional email updates or marketing messages.

Information Collected Automatically

When you use the website, Wix and any enabled analytics or cookie tools may collect information such as your Internet Protocol address, browser and device type, operating system, referring pages, pages viewed, approximate location derived from an IP address, date and time of access, cookie identifiers, and interactions with the website.

Information From Authorized or Public Sources

During an authorized research project, we may obtain information from sources such as client-authorized DNA and genealogy accounts, DNA matches visible within those accounts, public records, archives, libraries, historical databases, obituaries, newspapers, public family trees, and other lawful research sources. Some of this information may concern relatives or other living individuals who are not the client.

3. Sensitive DNA and Case Information

Genetic information, raw DNA files, DNA match identities, family relationships, adoption or parentage information, and agency case information can be extremely sensitive. We limit our use of this information to authorized research purposes and the information needed to perform the work.

 

DO NOT USE AN INITIAL WEBSITE FORM FOR SENSITIVE MATERIALS

Do not submit passwords, raw DNA files, DNA match lists or identities, adoption records, agency case files, personally identifying case details, or other sensitive documents through the consultation or agency-inquiry forms. After the engagement begins, Faith Walk Genealogy will provide separate instructions for an approved secure submission method.

 

We will not ask you to place sensitive files in an initial website form. After engagement begins, secure submission instructions will be provided to the client.

When research involves information about living people, DNA matches, or reference test takers, we use appropriate discretion, respect available privacy choices, and limit disclosure to the client or other authorized recipient. Faith Walk Genealogy does not contact a DNA match, biological relative, or other living person on a client's behalf unless the client has provided the required authorization.

4. How We Use Information

We may use personal information to:

• Respond to questions and evaluate whether Faith Walk Genealogy may be able to assist.

• Schedule and conduct complimentary Zoom consultations.

• Prepare proposals, agreements, research plans, authorizations, invoices, and reports.

• Perform the research authorized by the client, including DNA analysis, family tree building, historical-record research, evidence correlation, and documentation.

• Communicate about project status, questions, permissions, sensitive discoveries, limitations, and next steps.

• Process payments, issue applicable refunds, maintain accounting records, and prevent fraud.

• Operate, secure, troubleshoot, and improve the website and services.

• Send optional articles or business updates when the recipient has requested them; each marketing email will include an unsubscribe method.

• Protect the rights, privacy, safety, and property of clients, other individuals, Faith Walk Genealogy, and the public.

• Comply with applicable laws, lawful process, professional obligations, database terms, and enforceable agreements.

5. How We Disclose Information

Faith Walk Genealogy does not sell personal information or genetic information. We do not rent personal information to third parties. We may disclose limited information only as described below.

Service Providers

We may provide information to service providers that help operate the business, subject to their terms and privacy practices. These may include:

• Wix for website hosting, forms, bookings, cookies, and related website functions.

• Zoom for online consultations and meetings.

• The payment processor selected for online or invoice payments.

• Analytics, cookie-management, email, and email-marketing providers enabled at launch.

• Secure file-transfer, storage, backup, and communication providers selected for engaged client work.

• Professional advisors or contractors who have a legitimate need for the information and are subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations.

Client-Authorized and Research Disclosures

We may use or disclose information through DNA testing companies, genealogy platforms, research databases, repositories, or other sources when the client has authorized that activity, and it is necessary for the agreed research. We follow applicable terms of service, privacy settings, legal restrictions, and written client instructions.

Legal, Safety, and Business Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, subpoena, court order, or other lawful process; when reasonably necessary to protect rights, safety, or security; to investigate fraud or misuse; or in connection with a proposed business reorganization, transfer, or succession, subject to appropriate confidentiality and legal safeguards.

Agency and Forensic Work

Agency and forensic engagements are governed by separate written agreements, applicable law, agency requirements, court orders when applicable, and the terms of authorized databases. The contracting agency retains the agency work product and all agency case records. Faith Walk Genealogy handles those materials only as authorized and follows the agency's requirements for custody, access, disclosure, transfer, return, retention, and destruction. Sensitive agency information must not be submitted through the initial website inquiry form.

Private-Client Work Product

Faith Walk Genealogy retains copyright in the original private-client reports, analyses, charts, narratives, and other work product it creates, subject to the personal-use rights granted to the client in the signed agreement. Copyright ownership does not extend the retention period for the client's case files, change the confidentiality of the information, or authorize public disclosure of client or living-person information. Third-party records, client-provided materials, and other content remain subject to their existing ownership and use restrictions.

6. Payments

Payments are processed by the payment provider selected by Faith Walk Genealogy. We may receive transaction details such as the payer’s name, billing contact information, payment amount, date, status, and limited payment-method information. Faith Walk Genealogy does not intend to store complete payment-card numbers or security codes on its own systems. The payment provider's privacy policy and security practices apply to payment processing.

7. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The website may use cookies, pixels, local storage, and similar technologies for functions such as website operation, security, preferences, bookings, analytics, and—only if enabled—marketing. Some cookies are placed by Wix or other third-party services.

Where required, the website will provide cookie choices before nonessential cookies are used. Visitors may also control cookies through browser settings, although disabling necessary cookies may affect website functions. 

8. Data Security

Faith Walk Genealogy uses reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the nature and sensitivity of the information. These safeguards may include limiting access to those who need it, using account protections and access controls, selecting service providers with appropriate security measures, maintaining secure working practices, and securely disposing of records when retention ends.

No website, transmission method, or storage system can guarantee absolute security. If a security incident occurs, Faith Walk Genealogy will investigate and provide any notices required by applicable law.

9. Retention and Secure Disposal

Completed private-client research files are retained for five years after the project closes and are then securely disposed of, unless a longer period is required by law, a court order, an active dispute, a professional obligation, or the written agreement governing the project. If a client agreement or agency agreement establishes a different lawful retention requirement, that agreement controls the applicable case materials.

Faith Walk Genealogy's continuing copyright in original private-client work product does not require indefinite retention of the underlying client file or sensitive research materials. Agency work product and agency records are retained by the contracting agency; Faith Walk Genealogy returns, transfers, or destroys any working copies as directed by the agency agreement and applicable law.

Inquiry, booking, payment, tax, accounting, contract, consent, security, and website records are retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy and to meet applicable legal, contractual, and professional obligations. Backup copies may remain for a limited period until they are overwritten or securely deleted through the ordinary backup cycle.

Secure disposal may include deletion, account removal, secure erasure, or physical destruction appropriate to the record and storage medium.

10. Your Choices and Privacy Requests

Depending on where you live and whether a particular privacy law applies, you may have rights to request access to, correction of, deletion of, or a portable copy of certain personal information. You may also have the right to opt out of certain sales, targeted advertising, or profiling, and to appeal a decision concerning a privacy request.

Faith Walk Genealogy does not sell personal information or genetic information. To submit a privacy request, email admin@faithwalkgenealogy.com with the subject line "Privacy Request." We may need to verify your identity and authority before responding. We may deny or limit a request when permitted or required by law, including when information must be retained to complete an authorized service, maintain legal or business records, protect another person's privacy, preserve evidence, comply with a court order, or establish or defend legal claims.

We will respond within the time and in the manner required by applicable law. If an applicable law provides an appeal right, instructions for appeal will be included in the response.

You may unsubscribe from optional marketing email by using the link in the message or contacting us. Service-related messages about an inquiry, appointment, payment, or active project are not marketing communications.

11. Texas Privacy Information

Faith Walk Genealogy is in Texas. The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act may provide Texas consumers with privacy rights when the law applies to the business and the processing activity. Certain small businesses are generally exempt from many provisions of that Act, but a small business may not sell sensitive personal data without prior consent. Faith Walk Genealogy does not sell personal information or genetic information.

Nothing in this Policy limits any privacy or consumer rights available under applicable Texas or federal law. Questions or requests may be submitted using the contact information below.

12. Information About Children

The website and initial inquiry forms are intended for adults and are not directed at children under eighteen. Faith Walk Genealogy does not knowingly solicit personal information directly from a child through the website. A parent, legal guardian, or other legally authorized person may provide information concerning a minor when appropriate to an authorized engagement. If you believe a child submitted information directly through the website, contact us so we can review and take appropriate action.

13. International Visitors

Faith Walk Genealogy is based in the United States. If you access the website or services from another country, information may be processed and stored in the United States or in other locations used by our service providers. Privacy protections may differ from those in your country. Where applicable law requires additional disclosures, consent, or transfer safeguards, those requirements will be addressed before the relevant processing occurs.

14. Third-Party Links and Services

The website may link to or embed services operated by third parties, including Wix, Zoom, payment providers, social-media platforms, DNA testing companies, genealogy databases, archives, and record repositories. Faith Walk Genealogy does not control their privacy or security practices. Review the applicable third-party privacy policy before providing information directly to that service.

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes on the website, services, technology, professional practices, or law. The revised policy will be posted with a new "Last updated" date. When required by law, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before applying a material change to previously collected information.

16. Contact Faith Walk Genealogy

Questions, concerns, and privacy requests may be directed to:

Faith Walk Genealogy

Rusk County, Texas

Email: admin@faithwalkgenealogy.com

Website: www.faithwalkgenealogy.com

Phone: 903-655-9047

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updated 10.23.26