Terms of the free trial
Last updated 31 October 2026. These terms are for our free trial with friends and family.
What this is
The Storied Family Company is a trading name of John Haywood, a sole trader in Ringwood, Hampshire. During this trial we research family trees free of charge for friends and family who have been invited. There is nothing to pay and no obligation: in return we would value your honest views on what we find and how we present it.
What we do
- We research your ancestors in historical records, using what you tell us as a starting point, and write short stories about their lives with every fact referenced to its source.
- We research people who have died. We do not research living people unless they have agreed, and for a surprise gift we only use the names you give us (see our privacy notice).
- Research takes time and depends on what records survive. We cannot promise to find any particular person or fact, and we may stop or pause the trial at any time.
Accuracy
We check what we find carefully and say where records disagree or a link is uncertain. Old records contain mistakes, and family history always involves some judgement, so please treat our findings as well-researched evidence rather than certainty. Tell us if you think something is wrong and we will look again.
What you tell us
Please give us only information you are entitled to share, and only the least you need to about living people. You can ask us to correct or delete your information at any time (see the privacy notice).
Using what we give you
The stories and tree we prepare are for you and your family to keep, print and share privately. Some images or extracts are used under licences that allow only personal, non-commercial use; we label these, and they must not be sold or published. Record images from subscription websites are never included.
Our responsibility to you
Because the trial is free, our responsibility is limited to doing the work with reasonable care and skill and looking after your information as our privacy notice says. Nothing in these terms limits any responsibility that the law does not allow us to limit.
Changes and ending
We may change these terms during the trial and will tell you if we do. You can stop at any time by telling us or by asking us to delete your account. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.