Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy v1.11

Friar Genealogical Research, LLC
Last updated: October 27, 2026

  1. Introduction

Friar Genealogical Research, LLC (“Friar Research,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) provides forensic genealogy, probate research, and DNA analysis services. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect through friarresearch.com (the “Website”) and in connection with our services, how we use and share it, how long we keep it, and what choices you have. It is a notice of our practices and is not part of our Terms of Use. We follow applicable privacy laws, including the Connecticut Data Privacy Act where it applies.

 

  1. Our Website

The Website is an informational and inquiry portal. It does not have user accounts, client portals, or log-ins, and it does not process payments or retainers. We do not accept DNA files through the Website (see Section 6).

 

  1. Information We Collect

Inquiries and direct contact. When you use our contact form, or contact us by email, phone, or text, we collect your name, email address, phone number, the content of your message, and any background you choose to share, including information about relatives or other people.

 

Client engagements. If you hire us, we collect and create contact and billing information, signed agreements, family tree data, historical and public records, documents you provide, research notes, and reports. We may view DNA test results and match information that already sit in a DNA testing or database platform, with your authorization.

 

Agency inquiries. For law enforcement or other government agencies, we may collect professional contact information, agency affiliation, case or reference numbers, and case summaries. We take reasonable steps to verify the legitimacy of requests.

 

Technical information. Our hosting provider and Google Analytics may collect your IP address, browser type and version, device information, approximate location, and pages visited and time on site (see Section 4).

 

Job inquiries. If you send us a resume or job inquiry, we collect the information you provide.

 

People who are not our clients. Genealogical work involves relatives, ancestors, and other people who did not contact us, including living individuals. We may hold their names, relationships, and other details obtained from clients, public records, and genealogy platforms.

 

  1. Cookies and Analytics
  • Essential cookies and similar technology support basic site and form functionality.
  • Google Analytics. We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors find and use the Website and to improve search visibility. Google Analytics uses cookies or similar identifiers and receives information such as your IP address, device, browser, and pages visited. Google acts as our service provider for this purpose and handles that information under its own terms. We have turned off Google signals and Google’s advertising features for this site.

 

We do not use cookies for advertising, behavioral profiling, or cross-site tracking, and we review analytics only in aggregate. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, or use Google’s browser opt-out add-on for Google Analytics. Some site features may not work if cookies are disabled.

 

  1. Genetic and Other Sensitive Information

Our services may involve genetic and family information, which can be sensitive. We generally work with DNA results that already reside in DNA testing and database platforms. We do not ask clients to send us raw DNA data files, and we do not keep them. We process genetic information for a client only with the client’s authorization, which we obtain in the written engagement agreement. We do not sell sensitive information.

 

If you are a relative or other person who appears in family records we hold and you have questions or want to exercise your rights, contact us (Section 12).

 

  1. If Raw DNA Files Are Sent to Us

Do not send raw DNA data files (such as downloads from a DNA testing company, BAM, FASTQ, or similar formats) through the Website, by email, or by any other channel unless a signed written agreement specifically provides for it. If one arrives anyway, we will not open or use it. Within 24 hours of discovering it, we will delete it from our email and storage systems and notify the sender. This does not apply where the law requires us to preserve the material or a signed agreement provides otherwise.

 

  1. How We Use Information

We use personal information to:

  • respond to inquiries and requests;
  • provide genealogical research services and prepare reports;
  • verify and respond to agency requests;
  • keep the Website secure and working;
  • improve our Website and services;
  • keep business, tax, and accounting records; and
  • comply with valid legal process, such as court orders, warrants, or subpoenas, and protect our legal rights.

 

We do not sell or rent personal data, and we do not use it for targeted advertising or for profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

 

  1. Who We Share Information With

We share information only as needed to run our business and deliver services:

  • Website and technology providers: web hosting, analytics (Google Analytics), email, and cloud storage or backup services.
  • Genealogy and DNA platforms such as FamilySearch, Ancestry, GEDmatch, FamilyTreeDNA, DNA Painter, and WATO (What Are the Odds), used with your authorization and under their own terms and privacy policies. For agency work, we use only platforms whose terms allow that use.
  • AI-assisted drafting tools. We do not enter client or agency personal information into AI tools. We may use AI to help draft or edit general report text after names and other identifying details have been removed. We do not use personal data to train large language models.
  • Professionals and authorities such as our attorney or accountant, or government bodies where the law requires, and a successor if our business is sold or reorganized.

We do not sell personal data.

 

  1. How Long We Keep Information
  • Website inquiries that do not become engagements: up to two (2) years, then deleted.
  • Private client files (reports, research notes, client-authorized family trees, correspondence about the case): up to seven (7) years after the case closes, then securely destroyed. You may ask us to delete your file earlier. We will do so unless we must keep it for legal, tax, or contract reasons or to resolve a dispute.
  • Agency cases: kept and deleted as the agency specifies in the written agency agreement. We keep only what the work requires.
  • Business records (contracts, invoices, accounting records, and related correspondence): seven (7) years.
  • Job inquiries: up to two (2) years, then deleted.
  • Analytics data: kept for the short retention period we set in Google Analytics.

Material may remain in backups for a limited time after deletion.

 

  1. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, including password-protected and access-limited systems, encrypted devices, and two-factor authentication. We arrange secure transfer methods for confidential materials after a written agreement is signed. No system is completely secure. If a security incident affects personal information, we will respond promptly and notify affected people and authorities as required by Connecticut and other applicable law.

 

  1. Children

The Website is not directed to anyone under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from minors through it. If a minor submits information through the Website, we will delete it once we discover it. Family research may include information about living children that an adult client provides in connection with an engagement. We treat that information with the same care as other client data. If you believe a minor has sent us information, please email us.

 

  1. Your Privacy Rights

Where the Connecticut Data Privacy Act or another privacy law applies to our handling of your information, you may ask us to:

  • confirm whether we process your personal data and give you access to it;
  • correct inaccurate information;
  • delete your personal data;
  • provide a copy of your data in a portable format; and
  • honor opt-outs from sale, targeted advertising, or certain profiling (we do not do these).

 

Email Hello@friarresearch.com to make a request. We may need to verify your identity, and you may use an authorized agent, whom we may also verify. We will respond within the time the law requires. If we deny your request, you may appeal by replying to our decision. If the appeal is not resolved, you may contact the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

 

  1. Visitors Outside the United States

The Website and our services are operated from the United States for United States visitors. If you contact us from elsewhere, your information will be processed in the United States. See Section 11 of our Terms of Use.

 

  1. Limits of Our Services

Genealogical research relies on historical records, public sources, and information clients give us, so we cannot guarantee completeness or accuracy. Our reports are for research purposes and are not legal determinations or identity certifications. Our services are provided under separate written agreements.

 

  1. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy. Updates will be posted on this page with a new version number and date. If we make a material change that would apply to information we already hold, we will tell you before it takes effect, as the law requires.

 

  1. Contact

Friar Genealogical Research, LLC Call/Text: (203) 806-5226 | Email: Hello@friarresearch.com

 

📞 Call/Text: (203) 806-5226 Connecticut, USA ✉️ Email: Hello@friarresearch.com