Policies – Terms – Conditions
(Estimated reading time: ⏱️ 7 to 9 minutes)
🧬 About Us
Estimated reading time: ⏱️ 7–9 minutes
FamilyWareham.co.uk is a dedicated genealogy research initiative based in England. We focus on exploring and preserving the documented histories of individuals bearing the surname Wareham, Warham, or any recognized variant (such as Whareham).
Our mission is to build a comprehensive, verifiable genealogical archive that honours the legacy of the Wareham name.
🗃️ The Wareham Genealogical Database (WGD2025)
Established in September 1995, the Wareham Genealogical Database began as a Lotus Approach (IBM) project. Eventually, it transitioned to Microsoft Access, enhancing both functionality and performance.
Over the years, we’ve streamlined the archive from 750GB to 155GB, dramatically improving search speed and research efficiency. As a result, researchers can now access records more quickly and with greater accuracy.
Today, the database holds nearly 116,000 individual records, each representing a unique person. Every entry is carefully curated to include:
- First and middle names
- Residential addresses
- Key life events (birth, christening, marriage, death)
- Family connections (parents, siblings, children, ages)
- Source references and contributing researchers
In addition to storing raw data, we also focus on contextualising each record—ensuring that every entry contributes meaningfully to the broader family narrative.
📌 Our Commitment
Ultimately, our goal is to preserve and expand the documented legacy of the Wareham lineage. By maintaining detailed, verifiable records, we aim to support researchers, descendants, and historians in uncovering meaningful connections across generations.
Whether you’re tracing your ancestry, contributing new findings, or simply exploring the past, we welcome you to be part of our growing archive.
🔐 Genealogical Information Privacy & Protection
To safeguard sensitive data, the Wareham Genealogical Database (WGD2025) is securely maintained on a private computer system. Access is strictly limited to designated administrators, and as a result, the database is not available for public access online.
Researchers who wish to submit search inquiries should use the official search form located at the bottom of Genealogy Page One. Please note: We do not process search requests submitted via the Guest Book or Feedback Forms, as these entries are routinely removed to preserve data integrity and ensure proper handling.
🤝 Data Sharing & Research Collaboration
We actively encourage collaboration with fellow researchers to enrich and expand genealogical studies. In order to uphold ethical research standards, we manage access to database information through a formal exchange agreement.
Researchers requesting data are expected to contribute new and relevant findings related to the Wareham lineage. In return, we provide comparable information from our archive. Each exchange is determined through direct discussion, ensuring transparency and mutual benefit.
The stated approach not only protects the integrity of our records but also fosters meaningful partnerships across the genealogical community.
🗂️ Database Overview & Historical Scope
The Wareham genealogy project traces documented records as far back as 1086, including references to Hugonnis De Quarham (Hugh Wareham). Spanning nearly a thousand years, the archive offers a rare glimpse into the evolution of the surname and its historical footprint.
While the majority of entries focus on individuals from the 17th to 20th centuries, we also include earlier records from the 13th to 16th centuries. These earlier entries are presented in more limited detail, due to the scarcity of surviving documentation.
Nevertheless, available evidence suggests that individuals bearing the Wareham or Warham surname may have lived as early as 1150, or possibly before. Each record, regardless of era, contributes to a broader understanding of the lineage and its enduring legacy.
🔒 Personal Data Protection & Site Policies
We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of all visitors and contributors. As a matter of policy, we never share personal data collected through communications (such as email) or voluntarily submitted via the website with third parties. All information is used solely for its intended research purpose.
📝 Guest Book Entries
We carefully review all Guest Book submissions to ensure they are relevant to genealogical research and suitable for public display. To protect your privacy, please avoid including sensitive personal details, as these entries are publicly visible.
🔍 Search Form Submissions
All research inquiries submitted through the Search Form are securely processed by administrators. These entries are not displayed on the website, ensuring confidentiality and proper handling.
We remain deeply committed to preserving historical accuracy and protecting the information entrusted to us by our users. Dedication is shared across the entire project team.
📁 Media Uploads & Privacy Protection
We are currently developing a secure drop-box system that will allow visitors to upload genealogy-related documents and photographs. Although the design is still in progress, we appreciate your patience as we work to ensure its security, reliability, and ease of use before launch.
🖼️ Image Upload Guidelines
To help protect your privacy, we strongly recommend removing any embedded location data (EXIF GPS) from images before submitting them to the website. Metadata can be extracted by third parties, so taking precaution is essential.
Before uploading, all users should review and verify the file’s metadata. By submitting images or documents, contributors accept full responsibility for the content they provide. FamilyWareham.co.uk does not accept liability for errors, omissions, content accuracy, or any consequences resulting from uploaded materials.
If location data is detected in a submitted file, we will make reasonable efforts to remove it where possible. However, we encourage users to take proactive steps to ensure their privacy before uploading.
📬 Contact Forms – Genealogical Search Requests
Are you searching for a missing Wareham or Warham ancestor or relative? If so, we may be able to help.
To begin your inquiry, please use the Search Request Form located on Genealogy Page One. In order to ensure an accurate and effective search, we kindly ask that you provide detailed information about the individual—not just a full name.
Helpful details include:
- Approximate age
- Known locations (birthplace, residence, burial site)
- Relevant historical context (e.g. military service, migration, family connections)
The more information you provide, the better we can tailor our search and identify meaningful records. We look forward to assisting you in uncovering your Wareham family history.
🔎 Search Process & Information Exchange
Once we receive a search request, our team conducts a thorough review of the Wareham Genealogical Database. If we locate relevant records, we’ll send a summary of our findings to the email address provided with your inquiry.
Should you wish to explore the results in greater detail, you may be invited to participate in our Information Exchange Agreement. Our process ensures that shared data remains accurate, ethical, and mutually beneficial.
Please note: While our database contains an extensive collection of genealogical records, we cannot guarantee information beyond what may already be available through external sources. We do not maintain undisclosed or proprietary archives, and all findings are based on verifiable public and contributed data.
🔄 Data Contribution & Exchange Policy
We warmly welcome contributors who wish to share Wareham or Warham-related materials—including photographs, family tree details, and historical documents. These contributions help enrich our research and strengthen the overall genealogical record.
In keeping with our Information Exchange Agreement, we reciprocate all contributions with relevant details from our database. Ensuring that every exchange is both meaningful and mutually beneficial.
We remain firmly committed to ethical data-sharing practices that promote responsible collaboration and fair access to information.
Please note: We do not purchase information. All contributions are voluntary and intended solely for genealogical research purposes.
🌐 Embedded Content from External Websites
To enhance the visual and informational quality of our site, we occasionally include embedded media—such as videos, images, articles, and hyperlinks—from third-party sources. Specific content behaves as if you were viewing it directly on the original website.
Where applicable, we provide proper attribution to the original creators. Whenever possible, we aim to replace borrowed content with original material created specifically for FamilyWareham.co.uk..
If a content owner objects to the use of their work, we will either request permission or promptly remove the material upon request. Our direct approach ensures that our site remains respectful of intellectual property while offering valuable resources to our visitors.
🛡️ Privacy & Third-Party Tracking
Please be aware that some external websites may collect personal data, use cookies, and employ third-party tracking technologies. These tools can monitor your interactions with embedded content—particularly if you’re logged into an account on the originating site.
To protect your privacy, we strongly encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit. Understanding how these platforms collect, store, and use your data is essential for making informed decisions about your online activity.
🔗 Liability & External Links
While we make every effort to ensure that external links are relevant, functional, and secure, FamilyWareham.co.uk is not responsible for any issues that may arise from third-party websites or embedded content. These external sources operate independently, and we cannot guarantee their availability, accuracy, or safety.
If you encounter a broken or problematic link, we encourage you to let us know. We’ll take appropriate action to update or remove it as needed.
As always, we advise all visitors to exercise caution, verify the authenticity of external sources, and protect their personal data when interacting with third-party content.
📢 Advertising Policy
We regularly receive requests to add links and advertisements for external websites—many of which are unrelated to genealogy and do not support our research goals. As a research-driven initiative, we prioritise content that directly contributes to the genealogical study of the Wareham family and its recognised variants.
For genealogy-related advertising proposals, we carefully review each request to ensure it aligns with our research objectives. We’re open to discussing potential collaboration terms on a case-by-case basis, provided the content supports our mission.
Although our primary focus remains on information exchange rather than commercial advertising, we recognise the financial realities of sustaining long-term research. Therefore, we welcome financial contributions to support our ongoing efforts.
All donations are ethically allocated to enhance the scope, accuracy, and accessibility of our genealogical work. You’ll find the donation link in the sidebar on the home page.
Thank you for your consideration and continued support.
🚫 Cold Calls & Unsolicited Offers
Over time, we have received more than 6,000 unsolicited emails from cold-callers, automated bots, and commercial entities promoting paid services for website enhancements, traffic growth, or marketing strategies. We do not engage with these solicitations and have no interest in paid promotional services.
However, if you have a legitimate inquiry related to genealogy research, historical documentation, or ethical sponsorship, we welcome you to reach out via our Contact page. We remain committed to supporting meaningful collaboration while protecting the integrity of our research.
📊 Analysis of WGD2025
The Wareham Genealogical Database (WGD2025) is specifically designed to store and organise historical records of deceased individuals bearing the Wareham surname, including recognised variants such as Warham.
Our global database provides an efficient system for storing, searching, and retrieving genealogical data, while enabling unprecedented family connections through extensive cross-referencing. As a result, researchers can trace relationships across generations with greater clarity and confidence.
To our knowledge, no other research initiative has mapped Wareham individuals to their families. The scope, depth, and precision of WGD2025 make it a uniquely valuable resource for anyone exploring the Wareham lineage.
🧩 Information Processing
Focussing on the workflow and methodology behind how data is handled within WGD2025.
Refined Version:
To ensure accuracy and integrity, we apply a multi-step processing system to all incoming genealogical data.
- Each submission is first cross-referenced with existing records to check for duplication.
- If the information is new, we verify its source, assess its reliability, and update the appropriate record.
- If no match is found, we create a new entry and integrate it into the database.
All physical documents are digitised, and once securely archived, we destroy or recycle the originals to streamline data management and reduce redundancy.
Through structured methodology, WGD2025 continues to grow—strengthening historical connections among Wareham individuals worldwide.
✅ Information Verification Process
Emphasising the policy and standards behind how accuracy is maintained.
Refined Version:
To uphold the accuracy and integrity of our records, we follow a strict verification protocol for all incoming data.
- We begin by reviewing each submission against existing entries to determine whether it’s already documented.
- New data is subject to source authentication and reliability checks before any updates are made.
- If no prior match exists, we add a new record to the database.
All contact-related documents are digitised and securely archived. Paper copies are then disposed of responsibly to maintain a lean and secure data environment.
The process ensures that the Wareham Genealogical Database (WGD2025) remains both accurate and efficient, continually evolving to reflect new discoveries.
🛡️ How We Manage Your Data
We fully comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and take data privacy seriously. Collecting or storing personal information about living individuals requires proper authorisation, clear justification, and strict adherence to data usage policies.
To uphold these standards, the Wareham Genealogical Database (WGD2025) stores records exclusively for deceased individuals, ensuring that all genealogical data remains ethically sourced and legally compliant.
For living individuals, we maintain a separate contacts file that includes only those who have given explicit consent
🔐 Privacy & Data Handling
We are fully committed to safeguarding personal data and using it responsibly. All information is used solely for its intended genealogical purpose and is never shared with third parties.
We retain data only with the individual’s explicit consent, and we process it fairly, lawfully, and in full compliance with applicable privacy regulations.
To maintain focus and minimise risk, we collect only the information necessary for genealogical research and avoid storing excessive or irrelevant personal details.
If you’ve provided contact information, you have the right to request a copy of the data we hold about you. Should you wish to have your information deleted, we will promptly honour your request without hesitation.
🔄 Updating & Removing Data
To maintain accuracy and ensure reliable information management, we routinely update contact records as part of our ongoing data stewardship.
If you’ve shared personal data with us, you have the right to request a copy of the information we hold about you. Upon request, we will permanently delete your stored personal information without delay.
All contact data is securely maintained in an offline electronic file, which is not accessible via the internet. It helps protect sensitive information and ensures compliance with privacy standards.
🚫 Strict Policy on Living Individuals
We maintain a strict policy regarding the privacy of living individuals. No information about any living Wareham or Warham individual is disclosed without their explicit consent.
Although we welcome legitimate genealogical inquiries, we have received requests seeking personal data on living Warehams—including children—which raise serious ethical concerns. We immediately deny any suspicious or inappropriate requests and, when necessary, report them to the appropriate authorities.
For example, in two separate cases, an individual attempted to bypass our safeguards by submitting identical inquiries from different addresses.
Upon detecting a pattern, we issued a formal warning, stating that their actions were considered suspicious and that any further attempts would be referred to the United Kingdom Metropolitan Police Service for investigation. No further contact has been received following notification.
Policy reflects our unwavering commitment to privacy, ethical research, and legal compliance.
📬 Managing Researcher Contacts
We strictly adhere to privacy and safety standards when handling researcher contact requests. Under no circumstances do we share the contact details of living individuals without their explicit consent.
All connection requests follow an indirect process designed to protect privacy:
- When we receive a request, we notify the individual being contacted and inform them that someone wishes to connect.
- If they consent, we then share the requester’s contact details with them.
- The individual may choose to initiate communication at their discretion. After that, we step back and allow any further exchanges to proceed privately.
We’re always happy to facilitate researcher connections—but only when both parties agree and consent is clearly established.
🌍 Scope of the Wareham Project
The Wareham Project is not a genealogical research service designed to build individual family trees. Instead, each family is responsible for conducting its own research, rather than relying on external sources for complete genealogical records.
For specific inquiries about individuals in our database, we provide only the requested details—such as names, dates, or locations—in accordance with our Information Exchange Agreement.
We believe genealogy should remain an engaging and rewarding pursuit. To preserve the excitement of discovery, we do not conduct exhaustive research on behalf of individuals. In short: We will not research your family tree for you.
🗄️ Data Retention Policy
FamilyWareham retains personal data only as long as necessary to fulfil its original purpose. We never use data beyond its intended scope, and we store it only with the owner’s explicit consent.
When the data is no longer needed—or if the owner withdraws consent—we promptly and securely delete it from our records
🧾 Your Rights Over Your Data
If you’ve provided contact information or submitted a research request through our website, we securely store your data in our offline contact file. You have the right to:
- Request copies of any communications or personal data we hold about you
- Request the deletion of your personal information at any time
To initiate a data removal request, please visit the Contacts page and use the subject line: “Request to remove my contact data.”
Be sure to clearly outline your expectations and the reason for your request. Once processed, we’ll confirm the deletion via email.
🗄️ Data Retention & Past Deletions
Please be aware that some data may have already been removed due to the following circumstances:
- The information is not necessary for retention
- Data has been inadvertently deleted, particularly during system upgrades
- During the COVID-19 lockdown, a data loss occurred while transitioning to Windows 10. Some contact records were lost in the transfer process, and old hard drives were securely destroyed to ensure data protection
Despite these events, we want to reassure all contributors that no data has been or is at risk. Our systems remain secure, and we continue to uphold strict privacy and data management standards.
📚 Research Conduct & Accuracy
For more than 30 years, we’ve received inquiries and challenges regarding the accuracy and provenance of our genealogical research. Throughout time, we have remained firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of documentation and verification.
All information is sourced from verified, recognised, and properly documented records. A rigorous approach ensures that the Wareham Genealogical Database (WGD2025) continues to serve as a reliable and respected resource for researchers, descendants, and historians alike.
💬 Respectful Communication
We do not tolerate abusive or aggressive emails, feedback, or correspondence under any circumstances. While we welcome constructive inquiries and thoughtful challenges, we ask that all communication remain professional and respectful at all times.
Maintaining a courteous and collaborative environment allows us to focus on meaningful genealogical research and support genuine connections within the Wareham community.
🧭 Guidelines for Challenges & Inquiries
We welcome open dialogue from anyone seeking clarification or wishing to challenge information within the Wareham Genealogical Database (WGD2025). To support constructive discussion, please include the following:
- The specific source of your claim
- Supporting evidence relevant to the challenge
- A clear explanation of your reasoning
Our approach emphasises collaboration, not disproving the work of others. We aim to foster thoughtful discussion and teamwork in genealogical research. If you identify discrepancies, please contact us—we will review the relevant sources accordingly.
Over the years, we’ve received several challenges to our data. In every case, we’ve re-verified the source and content. On a few occasions, we’ve amended our records, always with appreciation for the contributors who brought the issues to light.
🌐 Access & Website Policy
The FamilyWareham website is dedicated to Wareham family history and genealogy. As a closed platform, it does not offer account-based access, login services, or direct access to database records.
All research inquiries and data exchanges are managed exclusively through our contact forms and are governed by our Information Exchange Agreement, ensures that all interactions remain secure, purposeful, and aligned with our research standards.
©️ Copyright & Content Usage
We are currently updating the guideline to clarify how users may use content from our website, including restrictions on reproduction, redistribution, and citation. Update to follow.
📜 Terms of Use
We are preparing a concise overview of acceptable use for our website to ensure respectful, ethical engagement by all visitors. Update to follow.
📝 Data Correction Requests
We are drafting a clear policy to guide users on how to request corrections if they believe an error exists in the genealogical data. Update to follow.
🌱 A Final Word
We encourage all researchers to pursue their own genealogical journeys with curiosity and care. May your work be rewarding, and your discoveries meaningful.
Good Hunting!
Helpful Sites of interest
Genealogist Policy Handbook – Example Policies
Privacy and Genealogy handout.pdf
Useful Resources
📂 Site Sections
Wareham Soldiers (Military Listing only, no photos) (Ongoing Updates)