Your information

Privacy Notice

Last updated September 16, 2026

In plain English: I collect the information needed to review and complete your project. I do not sell personal information, and this website does not collect your card or bank information. Never send passwords, Social Security numbers, or raw DNA files through the form. The full notice below explains how information is used and kept.

This Privacy Notice explains how Melissa Reeves Genealogy, operated by Melissa Reeves, collects, uses, and protects information submitted for genealogy research and family-history design services.

1. Information collected

The service may collect your name, email address, telephone number, preferred contact and payment method, selected service, research questions, family relationships, names, dates, locations, family stories, records, online tree platform and links, invited-access information, photographs, print and book design preferences, correspondence, safety-screening confirmations, and information about DNA testing or DNA matches. The intake form does not request payment card information, account passwords, raw DNA files, Social Security numbers, government identification, or medical information.

2. How information is used

Information is used to evaluate requests, communicate with you, prepare a project scope, perform research, document sources and findings, deliver results, process and verify payments, prevent fraud, resolve disputes, maintain business and tax records, protect safety and legal rights, and comply with applicable law.

3. DNA information

DNA-related information is treated as sensitive. Do not send raw DNA files or passwords through the intake form. When DNA review is necessary, the preferred method is limited viewer or collaborator access through the testing company. Access will be used only for the accepted research purpose and should be revoked when the project ends. DNA findings may reveal unexpected biological relationships.

4. Online tree access

The Researcher will not request your account password. If work in an online family tree is accepted, access should be provided through the platform’s official guest, viewer, contributor, editor, or collaborator invitation feature. You remain responsible for your account, subscription, sharing settings, and revoking access when the project ends.

5. AI-assisted processing

Artificial intelligence tools may be used to organize minimized research notes, compare timelines, suggest search terms, summarize working notes, or identify records for further review. AI output is not treated as a genealogical source or proof. Passwords, raw DNA files, Social Security numbers, payment information, and unnecessary information about living people are not entered into AI tools. Material findings are reviewed by the Researcher against available records and source evidence.

6. Sharing and sale of information

Personal information is not sold. Information may be shared only as reasonably necessary with research databases, archives, record providers, technology and storage providers, PayPal, Cash App, professional advisers, or government and legal authorities. Information may also be disclosed when required by law, valid legal process, or a good-faith need to protect a person, prevent fraud, enforce an agreement, or defend legal rights.

7. Payment services

Payments are accepted only through PayPal or Cash App. Payment links may be shown after intake, but research begins only after the request is reviewed, accepted, and payment is confirmed. Those services collect and process payment information under their own terms and privacy policies. This website does not collect or store your payment card or bank account number.

8. Data security

Reasonable administrative and technical measures are used to protect submitted information. No website, email account, database, or internet transmission can be guaranteed completely secure. You should share only information reasonably necessary for the research request and use official account-sharing features instead of sending passwords.

9. Retention

Intake, project, communication, payment, and research records may be retained for as long as reasonably needed to provide the service, maintain research continuity and source citations, meet tax or legal obligations, resolve disputes, and protect legal rights. Information that is no longer reasonably needed may be deleted or de-identified.

10. Living people and minors

Clients must have appropriate authority to provide information about living people. The service is offered to adults and is not intended to collect requests directly from children under 18. If information about a minor is relevant to a lawful family-history project, provide only what is necessary and only when you are authorized to do so.

11. Your choices

You may request correction or deletion of information you submitted, withdraw permission for future use, or revoke DNA-platform access. Some records may need to be retained for completed services, accounting, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, or legal compliance. Withdrawing access may prevent completion of the research.

12. Third-party links

This website may link to LinkedIn, record databases, DNA testing companies, PayPal, Cash App, or other third-party sites. Their privacy and security practices are controlled by them, not by Melissa Reeves Genealogy.

13. Questions or requests

Privacy questions or requests may be sent through the contact method used for your project or through the LinkedIn profile linked on the main website. Please do not place sensitive family or DNA information in a public LinkedIn message.

Use of the service is also governed by the Terms of Service.