Terms of use
Last updated: October 2026
Purpose
These terms set the conditions for accessing and using visitancestors.com. By using the website, you accept them. If you do not accept them, please do not use the website.
The service
Visit Ancestors helps descendants of emigrants find where their family came from and plan a trip there. It offers a diaspora map, a surname lookup in historical telephone directories, an origins finder, village sheets, a letter tool for archive requests, and contact with local hosts.
The website is run by a private individual. It is independent and is not the official website of any archive, registry office, government or tourist board. It is free and requires no account.
Access
The website is available free of charge, at any time, except during maintenance or in cases of force majeure. The publisher is not responsible for temporary unavailability.
Research results
Regions suggested by the origins finder and the diaspora map are leads, not proof of descent. Confirm them with civil or church records before drawing conclusions or making travel plans.
Letters produced by the archive letter tool are drafts. You remain responsible for their content and for sending them. Archive offices set their own rules, fees and response times.
Affiliate links and bookings
Some booking links are affiliate links. The publisher may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. This does not influence which places or services we present.
Bookings are made directly between you and the third-party platform or provider. The publisher is not a party to these transactions.
Research services and people search
Some links lead to paid research services (for example Ancestry or MyHeritage) and to a United States people-search service (Spokeo). These services are provided by their own companies under their own terms. People-search results must not be used for purposes regulated by the U.S. Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as employment or tenant screening, and must be used in line with the law that applies to you.
Local hosts
Local hosts are independent people who volunteer to meet descendants. Any meeting is arranged between you and the host, under your own responsibility. The publisher does not employ hosts and does not guarantee their services.
Intellectual property
The content, structure and layout of the website are protected. Reproducing or reusing them without permission is prohibited. Sources and licences of third-party material are listed in the legal notice.
User conduct
- Do not disrupt the website or try to access it fraudulently.
- Do not extract its content in bulk by automated means.
- Use the information about people and records in line with the law, in particular data protection law.
Limitation of liability
Information such as emigration figures, archive details, opening hours and travel conditions is given for reference and may change. The publisher does not guarantee its accuracy and is not liable for errors or for harm resulting from its use. Check official information with archives, registry offices and service providers before you travel.
Personal data
The processing of personal data is described in the privacy policy.
Changes to these terms
The publisher may change these terms at any time. The version online when you visit applies. Continuing to use the website means you accept the changes.
Applicable law
These terms are governed by French law. The French courts have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute.