Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics and Professional Practices

To protect the public:

• I will not publish or publicize as 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 unless I receive written consent to the contrary.

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To protect the client (paying or pro bono): 

• 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.

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[NOTE: Genealogist's Code of Ethics supplied by the Board for Certified Genealogists]