Research & Privacy
Your family decides what to share and which activities to allow. We review your choices with you before beginning any work that needs your permission.
Privacy from the first conversation
- Start with your question. A general place or time period is enough for the first conversation. Keep private records, raw DNA, credentials, and identifying details about living relatives out of ordinary email.
- Agree on the scope. Before you share materials, we explain what we plan to review, who needs access, how you can share it, and what happens to the records when the project ends.
- Choose separately. Each participant returns their own choices by replying directly to their We Dig Roots project email. We follow up in writing about the scope and any permissions needed before proceeding.
- Keep the work private. We agree who can receive findings and ask for separate written permission before publishing or using private family materials in a public example.
- Change your mind. Reply directly to your project email to ask a question, narrow your choices, or withdraw permission for future activity. We’ll follow up about the affected work and materials.
Your research choices
Use this after receiving your written project scope. Choose Yes or No for each item. These choices cover your own participation and materials you are authorized to share. Each relative makes their own choices.
Copy the prepared text into a direct reply to your We Dig Roots project email. Use Reply so your answers go to the project contact. The page prepares the text on your device and the email is sent only when you send it yourself.
How we handle research evidence
Agree on scope
We define the question, expected deliverables, and who may access the materials.
Compare sources
We cite the records we use and explain what they support, where they conflict, and what remains unresolved.
Ask before sharing
We seek consent before using DNA information or sharing private family materials beyond the agreed scope.