"It is the policy of Robert and Sharon Goehring to protect the rights and privacy of our living relatives. We strongly encourage all involved to do their best not to place information on the Internet about anyone who is still living, unless you have their express permission to do so."

We should each do our part to protect our family members. The ease of accessibility on the Internet is a strong reason to respect the privacy of our living family members. Please respect everyone's privacy and use common sense when placing information on the web.

If you care enough about your family to search for ancestors, please care enough to protect the descendants. Here are a few ways you can help:

When requesting information [via e-mail, chat, queries, etc...], don't include personal information on living persons. When responding to requests for information , especially to someone you don't really know, don't provide them with personal information on living persons. They could post it on the web or do who knows what else with it. When sharing GEDCOM files with others, remove information on all living persons before your share the file. Again, information you share could end up on somebody's web site somewhere. Programs like GEDLiving can help automate this otherwise tedious task. If you are thinking about starting your own genealogy web site , visit sites like Cyndi's Genealogy Home Page Construction Kit. It is not only helpful in creating a site, but also addresses the responsibilities that go along with it. If you already have a genealogy web site , check your site and remove information on all living persons. Be living person aware as you add new information to your site. If you are not sure about something, when in doubt, take it out. Spread the Word , help educate the masses on this subject. Link to this page from your genealogy web site or create a privacy page of your own.