Terms of Service
Last Updated: August 30, 2026
These Terms of Service govern genealogical research and related services provided by KB Family History. By requesting or purchasing research services, you agree to these terms.
Research Services
KB Family History provides professional genealogical and family-history research, which may include historical-record research, family-tree research, military research, genetic genealogy and DNA analysis, evidence analysis, and preparation of written research findings.
The specific scope of each project will be discussed with the client before research begins.
Research Results
Genealogical research depends upon the survival, availability, accessibility, and accuracy of historical records and other evidence. For this reason, KB Family History cannot guarantee that a particular ancestor, record, relationship, or answer will be discovered.
Research fees compensate KB Family History for the professional research and analysis performed, not for a guaranteed result.
When the available evidence does not support a definitive conclusion, the research findings will explain the evidence located, the limitations encountered, and, when appropriate, possible next research steps.
Client Information
Clients agree to provide information they believe to be accurate and relevant to the research project. This may include existing family trees, documents, photographs, previous research, DNA information, and known family details.
Information supplied by a client may be evaluated alongside independently located records and evidence. KB Family History is not responsible for errors contained in information or research supplied by the client or by third parties.
DNA and Genetic Genealogy
DNA and genetic-genealogy research can produce unexpected findings. These may include previously unknown biological parents, grandparents, siblings, children, relatives, misattributed parentage, adoption, donor conception, or other unexpected biological relationships.
By requesting DNA-related research, the client acknowledges the possibility of discovering unexpected or sensitive information.
DNA-related information provided to KB Family History will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy and used for the agreed research purpose.
Third-Party Records and Services
Research may require the use of archives, repositories, genealogy databases, DNA services, government agencies, libraries, and other third-party resources.
KB Family History cannot guarantee the continued availability, accuracy, completeness, or accessibility of records or services maintained by third parties.
Additional third-party expenses, such as record-copy fees or archive charges, will not be incurred on the client's behalf without authorization when those expenses are outside the agreed project price.
Fees and Payment
The scope, price, and expected deliverables for a research project will be communicated before work begins.
Any research requested beyond the agreed scope may require additional fees. Additional paid research will not be undertaken without the client's approval.
Payment terms will be provided when the project is accepted.
Cancellations and Refunds
Because genealogical research involves professional time and services, fees for research already performed are non-refundable.
If a client cancels a project before all agreed research has been completed, any refund or credit will be determined based upon the amount of research already performed, expenses incurred, and the terms established for that project.
KB Family History may decline or discontinue a project when necessary, including when the requested research cannot reasonably be performed, involves inappropriate access to private information, or presents ethical or legal concerns.
Research Materials and Deliverables
Clients may use research reports and findings prepared specifically for them for personal and family-history purposes.
Historical records, photographs, documents, database images, and other third-party materials may remain subject to copyright, licensing restrictions, repository rules, or terms imposed by their original providers.
Purchase of research services does not transfer ownership of third-party materials or rights that KB Family History does not possess.
Confidentiality
Client information and private research findings will be treated as confidential except when disclosure is authorized by the client, reasonably necessary to perform the agreed research, required by law, or otherwise described in the Privacy Policy.
Professional Judgment
Genealogical conclusions are based upon the evidence available at the time research is performed. New records, DNA matches, corrected information, or other evidence discovered later may change a previous conclusion.
KB Family History strives to distinguish documented facts, reasonable conclusions, conflicting evidence, and unresolved questions in its research.
Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by applicable law, KB Family History will not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from genealogical discoveries, unavailable or inaccurate third-party records, unexpected family relationships, or a client's use of research findings.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
Changes to These Terms
These Terms of Service may be updated periodically. The version posted on this website at the time services are agreed upon will apply unless different terms are provided in writing for a particular project.
Contact
Questions concerning these Terms of Service may be directed to:
KB Family History
Ken Black, PLCGS
Email: ken@kbfamilyhistory.com
Website: KBFamilyHistory.com