This Genealogy-Findings Disclaimer ("Disclaimer") applies to all family-history and genealogy research, reports, family trees, client websites, research films, and other deliverables (collectively, "Findings") provided by Tyler Mason, a Texas sole proprietor doing business as Genesis Legacy Journeys("GLJ," "we," "us," or "our"). It is incorporated by reference into our Website Terms of Service and into the Master Services Agreement governing our Services. Please read it carefully before relying on any Findings.
1. Evidence-Based Research — Results Are Not Guaranteed
GLJ conducts genealogy research using an evidence-based approach, drawing on available records, sources, and family information and applying reasonable research methods. However, genealogy is inherently uncertain. Records are incomplete, were created by other people and institutions, may contain errors, may have been lost or destroyed, and may conflict with one another.
ACCORDINGLY, GLJ DOES NOT GUARANTEE, WARRANT, OR PROMISE ANY PARTICULAR RESULT, FINDING, ANCESTOR, LINEAGE, RELATIONSHIP, CONNECTION, OR CONCLUSION. We do not guarantee that research will establish a specific lineage, confirm a family story, locate a particular ancestor or living relative, connect you to a particular place, person, or group, or reach any specific outcome. The value of our Services is in the diligent, professional research effort and the deliverables produced — not in any guaranteed conclusion.
2. How We Classify Findings — The Documented / Oral / Gap Standard
To help you understand the basis and reliability of each element of the Findings, GLJ classifies information using the following standard. Where practical, individual facts, names, dates, relationships, and connections in our deliverables are identified as DOCUMENTED, ORAL, or GAP (or a combination), reflecting the evidence behind them.
A. Documented.A finding is "DOCUMENTED" when it is supported by one or more records or sources (for example, vital records, census records, immigration or church records, archival documents, or other source materials). DOCUMENTED findings rest on identifiable evidence. Even so, source records themselves may contain errors, omissions, transcription mistakes, or conflicting information, and a DOCUMENTED classification reflects the available evidence — it is not a guarantee of historical certainty. We rely on third-party records and are not responsible for their accuracy or completeness (see Section 3).
B. Oral.A finding is "ORAL" when it is based on family testimony, recollection, tradition, or stories rather than on records. ORAL information is valuable for context and for guiding research, but it has LOWER RELIABILITY than documented evidence. Family stories may be incomplete, embellished, conflated across generations, or inaccurate. ORAL findings should be understood as accounts that have not been independently verified by records and may be incorrect.
C. Gap.A finding is identified as a "GAP" when a link, relationship, date, or identity is unproven, unverified, or inferred — for example, where records are missing, where a connection is suggested by circumstantial evidence but not established, or where a reasonable inference has been made to bridge an absence of direct evidence. GAP elements are working hypotheses or inferences, not established facts, and may be revised or disproven by later research or newly discovered records.
The classification of any finding reflects our professional assessment based on the evidence available at the time and may change as additional records or information come to light. Different researchers may reasonably reach different conclusions from the same evidence.
3. Third-Party Records and Sources
Findings depend heavily on records and information created and maintained by third parties, including governmental agencies, archives, libraries, religious institutions, and commercial and historical databases. GLJ does not control these sources and does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, authenticity, or availability of any third-party record or source. Errors, gaps, indexing mistakes, and conflicting entries are common in historical records. GLJ is not responsible for inaccuracies that originate in third-party records or sources.
4. DNA and Genetic Information
GLJ does not perform DNA or genetic testing. Where a client chooses to share results from a third-party DNA or genetic-testing service, any use, discussion, or interpretation of those results in the Findings is provided for general family-history context only and is NOT GUARANTEED.
DNA results and their interpretation are probabilistic and depend on the testing company's methods, reference populations, databases, and matching algorithms, all of which are outside GLJ's control and may change over time. GLJ DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF ANY DNA RESULT OR ANY ETHNICITY ESTIMATE, MATCH, RELATIONSHIP PREDICTION, OR OTHER DNA-DERIVED CONCLUSION, and does not warrant that any DNA-based inference reflects actual biological or legal relationships. DNA information is not medical or health information, and nothing in the Findings is intended to provide any health, medical, or genetic-health interpretation. (See Section 5.)
5. No Professional Advice
GLJ provides family-history research and related media and travel services. GLJ does not provide legal, medical, genetic-counseling, citizenship, immigration, financial, or other professional advice, and nothing in the Findings constitutes such advice or creates any professional-client relationship of that kind. The Findings are not a legal determination of heirship, ancestry, identity, nationality, or citizenship, and are not a medical or genetic-health assessment.
If you intend to use any Findings for a legal, inheritance, probate, citizenship, immigration, medical, or other consequential purpose, you must consult a qualified, licensed professional in the relevant field and jurisdiction, and you must independently verify the underlying records and conclusions. Many such purposes require certified records, official documentation, or independent professional evaluation that GLJ's Findings do not provide.
6. Independent Verification Before Reliance
The Findings are provided for personal, family-history, and educational purposes. Before relying on any Finding for any important decision or for any legal, inheritance, citizenship, financial, or medical purpose, you should independently verify it against primary source records and, where appropriate, obtain qualified professional advice. You assume responsibility for any decision you make in reliance on the Findings.
7. Limitation
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, GLJ disclaims all warranties regarding the Findings, express or implied, including any implied warranty of accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose. Any limitation of GLJ's liability is set out in the Website Terms of Service and the Master Services Agreement, which govern the allocation of risk for the Services.
8. Contact
Questions about this Disclaimer or about the basis for any Finding may be directed to:
Genesis Legacy Journeys
Tyler Mason
Email: hello@genesislegacyjourneys.com
Website: genesislegacyjourneys.com