Terms of Service
Please read these terms carefully before using our services or creating a membership account.
Last updated: June 2026
By accessing or using the R.O.O.T.S. & B.O.O.T.S. NFP website and services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use our platform. These terms govern your membership, session bookings, community participation, and any interactions with our organization.
Membership & Accounts
Membership with R.O.O.T.S. & B.O.O.T.S. NFP is open to individuals interested in tracing pre-1865 American lineage. By creating an account via Google Sign-In, you agree to provide accurate information and to use your account solely for personal genealogy research purposes. Membership tiers (Roots Explorer, Lineage Keeper, and Heritage Builder) carry the session allocations and benefits described at sign-up. Tier benefits are non-transferable and apply only to the registered account holder. R.O.O.T.S. & B.O.O.T.S. NFP reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms or engage in conduct harmful to the community.
Session Policies
Sessions are allocated per membership tier on an annual basis (Roots Explorer: 4 sessions/year; Lineage Keeper: 8 sessions/year; Heritage Builder: flexible pay-per-session). Sessions must be booked through the official booking system and are subject to researcher availability. Unused sessions do not roll over to the following year unless otherwise communicated by staff. Cancellations or reschedule requests must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance via the contact form. Late cancellations or no-shows may count against your session allocation. R.O.O.T.S. & B.O.O.T.S. NFP reserves the right to adjust session availability due to researcher capacity or organizational needs.
Acceptable Use
You agree to use this website and its services only for lawful purposes and in a manner consistent with their intended purpose of genealogy research and community support. You must not use the platform to harass, defame, or harm other members or staff; submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information; attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the system; scrape, copy, or redistribute any content or research materials without written consent; or use the platform for commercial purposes unrelated to your personal research. Violations may result in immediate account suspension and referral to appropriate authorities where applicable.
Research Results & Disclaimers
Genealogy research results are inherently subject to the completeness and accuracy of historical records. R.O.O.T.S. & B.O.O.T.S. NFP makes every effort to provide thorough, accurate research support, but cannot guarantee the completeness of findings due to records that may have been lost, destroyed, altered, or never created. Research provided is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal proof of lineage, citizenship, or heritage status. Members are encouraged to independently verify all research findings. The organization is not liable for decisions made based on research outcomes.
Donations & Payments
Donations made to R.O.O.T.S. & B.O.O.T.S. NFP via CashApp or other channels are voluntary contributions to support organizational programs and operations. Donations are not payments for goods or services and are generally non-refundable. R.O.O.T.S. & B.O.O.T.S. NFP is a registered nonprofit organization; donations may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law — consult your tax advisor for guidance. Session fees for the Heritage Builder tier are service fees and are non-refundable once a session has been conducted. Disputed charges should be directed to info@rootsandboots1865.org.
Limitation of Liability & Changes
To the fullest extent permitted by law, R.O.O.T.S. & B.O.O.T.S. NFP shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of this website or its services. The organization's total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount paid by you for services in the preceding 12 months. These terms may be updated periodically to reflect changes in services, law, or organizational policy. Continued use of the site after updates are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms. For questions about these terms, contact us at info@rootsandboots1865.org.
Questions about these terms? Email us at info@rootsandboots1865.org and we'll be happy to help.