About Ancestry Quest

Ancestry Quest abides by the following Genealogist's Code of Ethics as put forth by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

To Protect the Public

I will not publish or publicize as a fact anything I know to be  false, doubtful or unproved; nor will I be a party, directly or  indirectly, to such action by others.

I will identify my sources for all information and cite only those I have personally used.

I will quote sources precisely, avoiding any alterations that I do not clearly identify as editorial interpretations.

I will present the purpose, practice, scope, and possibilities of genealogical research within a realistic framework.

I will delineate my abilities, publications, and/or fees in a true and realistic fashion.

I will keep confidential any personal or genealogical information  disclosed to me, except to the extent I receive consent to share.

To Protect the Client

I will reveal to the client any personal or financial interests that might compromise my professional obligations.

I will undertake paid research commissions only after a clear agreement as to scope and fee.

I will, to the best of my abilities, address my research to the issue raised by the client and report to that question.

I will seek from the client all prior information and documentation  related to the research and will not knowingly repeat the work as  billable hours without explanation as to good cause.

I will furnish only facts I can substantiate with adequate  documentation; and I will not withhold any data necessary for the  client’s purpose.

If the research question involves analysis of data in order to  establish a genealogical relationship or identity, I will report that  the conclusions are based on the weight of the available evidence and  that absolute proof of genealogical relationships is usually not  possible.

If I cannot resolve a research problem within the limitations of time  or budget established by contract, I will explain the reasons why.

If other feasible avenues are available, I will suggest them; but I  will not misrepresent the possibilities of additional research.

I will return any advance payment that exceeds the hours and expenses incurred.

I will not publish or circulate research or reports to which a client  or colleague has a proprietary right, without that person’s written  consent; I will observe these rights, whether my report was made  directly to the client or to an employer or agent.

To Protect the Profession

I will act, speak, and write in a manner I believe to be in the best interests of the profession and scholarship of genealogy.

I will participate in exposing genealogical fraud; but I will not  otherwise knowingly injure or attempt to injure the reputation,  prospects, or practice of another genealogist.

I will not attempt to supplant another genealogist already employed  by a client or agency. I will substitute for another researcher only  with specific, written consent of and instructions provided by the  client or agency.

I will not represent as my own the work of another. This includes  works that are copyrighted, in the public domain, or unpublished. This  pledge includes reports, lecture materials, audio/visual tapes, compiled  records, and authored essays.

I will not reproduce for public dissemination, in an oral or written  fashion, the work of another genealogist, writer, or lecturer without  that person’s written consent. In citing another’s work, I will give  proper credit.

To Protect People Who Provide DNA Samples

When seeking data from a living person for genealogical research  purposes, I will explain how I would use and share the data and the  benefits of that use and sharing.

I will explain risks and consequences, such as uncovering  unanticipated relatives, medical implications, unexpected ethnic  backgrounds, and intentional misinformation about such situations.

I will explain options for openness and privacy and how other researchers could or could not access the data.
I will explain there are never any guarantees of complete anonymity and privacy.

After providing that information, I will request and comply with the  signed consent, freely given by the person providing the DNA sample or  that person’s guardian or legal representative.