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  1. Findmypast Help
  2. Your Findmypast family tree
  3. Making changes to your family tree

What kind of information should I avoid adding to my family tree?

We encourage you to keep things thoughtful and privacy-first. Please avoid adding sensitive personal information about living people, such as:

  • Health data​
  • Religious or philosophical beliefs​
  • Political views​
  • Sexual orientation or personal relationships​
  • Criminal history​
  • Ethnicity or racial background​

These types of details are known as “special category data” under UK GDPR, and we only process them if you knowingly and explicitly choose to provide them.

Can I add information about living family members to my family tree?

Yes, you can. If you’re adding details about someone who is still living, you should make sure you have their permission to do so. This helps protect their privacy and keeps your family history respectful as well as accurate.

For children under 18, you’ll need appropriate parental or guardian consent.

What happens if I do add sensitive information to my family tree? 

If you choose to include sensitive information - like adding a religious belief to a family tree- you’re confirming that:

  • You understand what you’re sharing
  • You have the right permissions to share it
  • You’re comfortable with it being stored on the platform

You remain responsible for the content you upload, including anything relating to living individuals.

For more details, see our Privacy Policy. 

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