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Terms and Conditions

1. Acceptance of terms:

  1. By accessing or using the services of Find My Missing Link ("we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms") and our Privacy Policy. If you disagree, you may not use our services.​​

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2. Our services

  1. Genealogical research:

    1. We offer professional genealogical research services to construct family trees and provide historical and ancestral information based on public and client-provided records.

  2. Birth parent research:

    1. We provide specialized research services to assist adult individuals in locating and connecting with birth parents or other biological relatives. This service is intended for informational and personal use only and is not guaranteed to produce results.​

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3. Client responsibilities​

  1. Accurate information:

    1. You must provide accurate and complete information about yourself and your research subjects to the best of your knowledge and ability. 

  2. Respect for privacy:

    1. You agree to respect the privacy of all living individuals involved in the research. You will not knowingly or willfully submit false, defamatory, or offensive information.

  3. Legal Compliance:

    1. You are responsible for ensuring that your requests comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, including those governing the privacy of living individuals and the confidentiality of adoption records.

  4. Unexpected results:

    1. You understand that genealogical and birth parent research can sometimes reveal unexpected or sensitive information about your family. You agree to assume all risks associated with these discoveries and will not hold us liable for any emotional, social, or legal consequences.

  5. Responsibilities and Prohibited Conduct​​

    1. You agree to treat all employees, agents, and representatives of "Find My Missing Link" with dignity and respect. Any behavior that is harassing, abusive, threatening, or otherwise demeaning towards our staff is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of offensive language, personal insults, intimidation, or any form of discrimination. Clients who engage in such conduct may have their access to our services immediately suspended or terminated at our sole discretion, and no refunds will be given.​​

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4. Privacy and confidentiality

  1. Confidentiality of client information:

    1. We will treat all non-public information you provide as confidential. We do not share your personal information with third parties, except as required by law.

  2. DNA testing:

    1. We are not liable for the privacy policies or practices of third-party services.

  3. Limitations:

    1. While we take precautions to protect your information, no online transmission or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

  4. We do not give/sell any information to any third-party services.​

  5. I retain the copyright to the report and the manner in which I have expressed the information in it. The Client may make a limited number of “fair use” personal photocopies of the copyrighted report for personal study, but will agree that they will not otherwise publish, make multiple copies of the report for distribution, or reproduce the report in any other material form without written permission from Find My Missing Link.

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5. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

  1. No guarantee of results:

  1. We do not guarantee that your research goals will be met or that specific individuals will be located. We promise to use our best professional efforts and expertise.

  2. We strive to find the "Common Ancestor". A common ancestor is a person that you and your DNA match share. This person could point you in the direction of the person you are seeking. Unfortunately, it cannot be guaranteed.

  1. No warranty:

    1. Our services are provided "as is." We make no express or implied warranties or representations regarding the quality, accuracy, or completeness of the content, services, or website.

  2. Limited liability:

    1. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages, including loss of revenue, data, or emotional distress, arising from your use of our services.

  3. Accessibility:

    1. ​We at Find My Missing Link are working to make our site accessible to people with disabilities. As well as providing video calling, large print, etc, when needed. We abide by local, state, and federal laws, and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Let us know anytime if you need assistance.​

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6. Payment, Gift Cards, and Refunds

  1. Payment must be made before any services begin. 

  2. ​Form of Payment: ​​​

    1. ​We accept credit/debit cards, CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal.​

    2. No cash or checks. Absolutely, no cryptocurrency of any form.

  3. ​Payment Plans:​

    1. We strive to make our services affordable. Unfortunately, we do not provide payment plans.

  4. Additional Costs:

    1. You will be responsible for the additional costs that may arise for records, further DNA testing, etc. You will be contacted for approval before anything is purchased. You will be expected to pay at the time of approval.

  5. Gift cards:

    1. Gift cards will be valid for 1 year from the date of purchase. ​

    2. Specific package gift cards are non-transferable to other packages

    3. May not transfer to another package.

    4. Expired gift cards will not be replaced. 

    5. If lost, please contact jenn.findmymissinglink@mail.com.

  6. Refunds:

    1. As our fees cover professional time and expertise, we do not offer refunds once research work has begun. If a project is canceled, we will calculate the time and expenses incurred plus 20% and deduct them from the total cost of your package. Only information found during the calculated time will be given.

    2. If a package is purchased before a consultation has been conducted, 50% will be refunded. ​

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7. Consultations:​

  1. We require a free consultation before you purchase any package to determine:​

    1. If we can help you.

    2. If we are the type of service that you need. 

    3. Approximate time frame when we can start and finish your case.

    4. Identify any potential problems.​​

    5. This is not a complete list.​​

  2. Consultations are required before purchasing any package. 

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8. DNA Testing:

  1. DNA Test:

    1. We require DNA testing with results ready before every consultation. 

    2. We do not provide DNA Testing.​

    3. Ancestry DNA, 23 & Me, My Heritage, and Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) are third-party companies that you can use. ​This is at your expense.

    4. However, we prefer Ancestry DNA, as they have over 27 million users and are likely to yield the most results.

    5. If the results of the DNA test yield a low number of matches, you may be asked to take another test with a different vendor. Hopefully, this will provide more results. ​This is at your expense.

  2. Y DNA Testing:

    1. Y DNA testing is specific for paternal lineage. Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) provides this test, and it may be necessary when searching for a birth father.​​ This is at your expense.

  3. Access to Results:

    1. You agree to provide access to all DNA test results.

  4. GEDMatch:

    1. GEDMatch is a website where others have uploaded their Raw DNA to see if any matches appear. It is another site that may show more matches.

    2. You agree to upload DNA Raw Data to GEDMatch.com and provide us access. ​

    3. Be aware that this website is used by police for forensic genealogy to identify criminals (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_James_DeAngelo) and the unidentified Jane/John Doe. You are able to opt in or out if you would like for them to use your data.

  5. My Heritage:​

    1. As of August 2025. My Heritage will no longer allow Ancestry DNA and 23 & Me users to upload their Raw DNA to their site. 

    2. If you did upload before August 2025, please allow us access to the DNA results.

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9. Packages:

  1. Family Tree Packages:

    1. These packages are for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th generations only. ​

    2. The Family Tree packages do not include genetic match information when being constructed.    They will be based on geographical, historical, public, and other types of records. 

    3. You may not purchase a Family Tree package to determine who your biological ancestor is.

  2. Birth Parent Packages:

    1. These are for 12 and 24-hour research time frames. You may purchase more time if needed.​

    2. These packages are only for a birth mother, birth father, or birth grandparent. 

    3. Sometimes, family secrets come to light. If that happens, and you want that person researched, too, an add-on package would have to be purchased, but at a discounted rate. This is at the discretion of the genealogist. 

      1. Example: If researching a biological grandfather, and it is found that your father is not biologically related to you. You now want to find your father, so you would have to purchase an add-on research package at a discounted rate.​

    4. Y DNA testing is specific for paternal lineage. Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) provides this test, and it may be necessary when searching for a birth father.​​ This is at your expense.

    5. A family tree is not included in the packages and can be purchased separately. ​​​​

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10. For birth parent search

  1. Adoption laws vary:

    1. Adoption laws, including those concerning access to records and contact with birth families, vary significantly by state and country. Your service will be conducted in accordance with the specific laws applicable to the case.

  2. Consent is key:

    1. Information about living relatives will not be released without their prior written consent, except in cases where DNA matches are found on third-party sites. We respect the privacy rights of all parties involved.

  3. No pressure for contact:

    1. Our role is to find information, not to force contact. If a birth relative is found, we, as well as you, will handle the outreach sensitively and will respect their wishes regarding contact.​

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11. Historical/Public Records

  1. Privacy

    1. To follow along with privacy practices, we will not provide records found on living people without the expressed consent of that individual. 

  2. Number of records we provide in a package:

    1. While we do our best, the number of historical records per package varies. This is based on again, privacy, availability, living people, pertinent to the family, legible, or if they are true public records. ​​

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​​12. Failure to comply with "Terms and Conditions"

  1. ​If you, then, fail to comply with the terms and conditions of this agreement, we may, at our discretion, suspend or terminate services. In such cases, all payments made to date will be non-refundable.

 

Updated 10/01/2025

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