Bear Roots, LLC provides family‑history research, DNA result interpretation, photo restoration and digitization, cemetery and grave care, keepsakes, and concierge heritage services. This policy explains what information the website bearrootsgenealogy.com collects, how we use it, and the choices you have. It applies to the website only; the services we perform for clients are governed by the separate written agreement for that work.

Who we are

Bear Roots, LLC — Quad Cities (Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island). Website: bearrootsgenealogy.com. Contact: info@bearrootsgenealogy.com · (563) 723‑7372.

Information you give us

When you complete the “Start Your Story” inquiry form, we collect the details you choose to provide: your name, email address, phone number (optional), the service you’re interested in, your best time to be reached, a description of what you’re hoping to discover, and any photos or documents you choose to attach. We use this solely to respond to your inquiry, schedule a discovery call, and provide the services you request.

If you purchase a product or service through our store, our e‑commerce system (WooCommerce) and, once live, our payment processor (such as Stripe or PayPal) collect the information needed to fulfill your order — for example your name, billing and shipping details, and email. Payment card details are handled by the payment processor; Bear Roots does not see or store full card numbers.

Photos, documents, and originals

Files you upload through the inquiry form are transmitted to us and stored only as long as needed to respond to your request and, if you become a client, to complete your project. Your physical originals are handled locally, by hand, and are never mailed away. If we restore or reproduce an image for you, you confirm that you own it or are authorized to reproduce it (see our Terms of Service).

Information collected automatically

Like most websites, we collect limited technical information automatically to keep the site secure and understand how it’s used: your IP address, browser type, pages viewed, and referring pages. We use Google Site Kit / Google Analytics for aggregate traffic statistics and cookies for basic site functionality and performance (including LiteSpeed caching). You can control or block cookies through your browser settings.

DNA and genetic information

This website does not collect, upload, or store DNA files or genetic data. If you engage us for DNA services, we handle that work personally and only with your explicit, written authorization that scopes exactly what you permit. Where downloading your raw data requires it, you grant Art the appropriate role on your testing account; those actions happen on the testing platform under its own privacy terms, not on this website. We do not retain your genetic files after a project is complete, we honor deletion requests, and we do not provide health or medical interpretation or guarantee results.

How we use your information

• To respond to inquiries and schedule consultations.
• To provide, deliver, and support the services and products you request.
• To process payments and fulfill orders.
• To send you information you’ve asked for, such as a newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
• To maintain the security, integrity, and performance of the website.
• To comply with our legal and tax obligations.

Who we share it with

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with the service providers who help us operate — for example our web host (Hostinger), our email and analytics providers, and our payment processor — and only to the extent needed to perform their function. We may disclose information if required by law or to protect our rights, safety, or property.

How long we keep it

We keep inquiry and client information for as long as needed to serve you and to meet legal, accounting, and record‑keeping requirements, then delete or anonymize it. You can request deletion at any time, subject to records we’re legally required to keep.

Your choices and rights

You may ask us to access, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you, or to stop contacting you, by emailing info@bearrootsgenealogy.com. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under laws such as the CCPA or GDPR; we honor those requests.

Children

Our website and services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Genealogical records may reference living and deceased individuals of any age; we handle such records responsibly and with the consent of the client who provides them.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date above reflects the most recent version.

Questions about this policy or your information? info@bearrootsgenealogy.com · (563) 723‑7372 · Bear Roots, LLC, Quad Cities, Iowa.