What can you store and share about living relatives?
Genealogy is not only about people from long ago. It also touches living people and their private lives. A safe rule is simple: collect only what you need, do not share sensitive details without consent, and treat family stories with care.
What information about living relatives should I store?
For a private family tree, you may choose to record basic details, such as names and relationships. But be careful. Just because you know something does not mean you need to store it.
Use less detail for living people. Full birth dates, current addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, health details, adoption information, divorce, family conflict, financial information, and DNA results can be sensitive.
Ask yourself three questions for each detail. Do I really need this for the family tree? Would the person be comfortable with it? Could this information cause harm if shared?
A simple approach is to document deceased ancestors in more detail and living people with more restraint. Even details about deceased people can affect living relatives, so use care there too.
If you are unsure, write less or keep the note private.
What should I never share without permission?
Do not share full birth dates of living people without permission. Do not share current addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, identity documents, or private contact details.
Be especially careful with photos of children, medical information, adoption, parentage, divorce, conflict, religion, sexuality, immigration status, and DNA information. These details do not belong in a public tree or family group without clear consent.
Small facts can become sensitive when combined. A name, birth date, and place of residence together can reveal a lot. Caution is not suspicion. It is protection.
If you send a family tree to relatives, hide or shorten details about living people. You can write “living” or use only a first name. Better yet, ask first.
Do not publish something online only because the software makes it easy. Family history is personal. Not every detail belongs on the internet.
How do I ask for consent?
Ask in a simple and specific way. Do not say, “Can I use everything?” Instead, ask, “May I include your name and birth year in my private family tree?” Or, “May I share this photo with the family group?”
Explain how the information will be used. Will the tree stay only with you? Will it be sent to relatives? Will it be published online? People can only consent when they understand the plan.
Accept no without argument. A no is not an attack on your research. It is the person’s choice about their own information.
Make a short note of consent. For example: “Peter agreed to name and birth year, conversation on July 5, 2026.” It does not need to be complicated.
If someone changes their mind later, respect that. Remove or shorten the details as far as you reasonably can.
Why is a local family tree better for privacy?
A local family tree stays on your device or in your browser. You do not automatically upload private family data to someone else’s server. This is useful when you are still sorting, checking, or writing sensitive notes.
Local work gives you time. You can collect and think before you share. At the beginning, many details are uncertain. It is better not to publish them too soon.
Online accounts can be convenient, but they often mean your data is stored by a provider. That may be fine, but it should be a conscious choice. Read what happens to your data before uploading it.
With MyFamilyThree, your data stays in the browser. That fits private genealogy because you decide what to export, back up, or share.
Still, local does not mean impossible to lose. Make your own backups and keep them safe.
How should I handle sensitive family stories?
Genealogy can reveal surprises. You may find adoption, unknown parentage, a previous marriage, a child born outside marriage, prison records, illness, conflict, or other painful information. These discoveries can affect living people deeply.
First, ask whether the information is certain. One clue is not always proof. Check sources before drawing conclusions.
Do not make sensitive discoveries public. If you need to talk, choose someone trustworthy and speak respectfully. Sensation does not help the family.
Separate research from sharing. You can keep a private note without showing it in a shared tree. Often that is the kindest choice.
Family history should help people understand, not harm them. Truth matters, but timing, tone, and privacy matter too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do privacy laws apply to private genealogy?
Rules vary by country and situation, especially when data is shared or published. Even where private household use is treated differently, living people still deserve care. Use consent and restraint as your basic guide.
Can I add photos of relatives to my tree?
You can collect photos privately, but ask before sharing them. Be especially careful with living people and children. Do not publish photos online without permission.
What if someone does not want to appear in the tree?
Respect that choice. You can leave the person out, anonymize them, or use a private placeholder note. Family trust matters more than a visibly complete tree.
Next Step
Review your family tree and mark all living people. Shorten sensitive details and ask before sharing anything personal. With MyFamilyThree, you can collect locally first and decide later what, if anything, you want to share.