Code of deontology 

of the French Federation of Genealogy

1 - Mutual aid

1.1 - Genealogists collaborate in various ways with their peers, with the genealogical association of which they are members and with other organizations working in genealogy or related fields.

1.2-The genealogist shares the fruit of his research by publishing it, or by depositing a copy of his work in the library of a society of which he is a member.

1.3 - The genealogist makes known the subject of his research in order to avoid the duplication of similar work by several people without the knowledge of each other.

2 - Intellectual probity

2.1 - The genealogist must not deform, camouflage, minimize or knowingly exaggerate the scope of the information gathered in the course of his work, nor publish information that has not been verified or that he knows to be false.

2.2 - The genealogist must take care not to convey erroneous genealogical information, by verifying the information gathered from the initial sources (civil status, notarial certificates, etc.) before disseminating it, or, if this is impossible, by mentioning the inaccessibility of the initial source or by specifying at least the source from which he himself drew it.

2.3 - The genealogist respects the copyright and intellectual property rights on the manuscript works, published or otherwise produced by others, by not appropriating their content without the authorization of their author, except within the limits provided by law.

2.4 - The genealogist rejects plagiarism and indicates the sources of information consulted in the elaboration of his work, taking care to clearly identify extracts from the text of another author, and to mention, if applicable, the collaboration received from colleagues or working groups.

3 - Respect for research sites and documents

3.1 - The genealogist respects the instructions of the authorities and the regulations established in the different research centres or places he frequents.

3.2 - The genealogist carries out his research work with respect for the other researchers around him.

3.3 - The genealogist treats with the utmost care the work instruments and documents placed at his disposal, whether they are books, registers, cards, manuscripts, plans, photos, microfilms, microfiches, or data on computer support; he redoubles his attention and meticulousness when it comes to original documents so as not to contribute to their deterioration.

3.4 - The genealogist must not annotate these finding aids or documents, nor affix handwritten inscriptions to them, even for reasons of correction, but is encouraged to inform the holder of any corrections he or she feels should be made.

3.5 - The genealogist must not appropriate, steal, damage, or mutilate the finding aids or documents made available to him.

4 - Respect for the right to privacy

4.1 - The genealogist respects the confidential nature of certain information collected on the private life of citizens, showing discretion and discernment in the communication, publication and dissemination of such information, and obtaining, if necessary, the authorization of the persons concerned.

The genealogist must under no circumstances disseminate genealogical data that could be prejudicial to third parties.

4.2 - Unless the persons concerned consent to it or unless it is a fact of common renown that it is incumbent upon him to assert, the genealogist does not disclose the biological filiation of a legally adopted person.

4.3 - The genealogist respects the commitments of discretion taken during the communication of confidential information, and he answers for possible violations of such commitments.