CODE OF ETHICS OF MEMBERS

(Click here to download the Code of Ethics of Members)

Prelude

The following code of ethics applies to all members in good standing of SFOHG, amateur genealogists who practice genealogy on a volunteer basis and as a hobby.

The following code does not apply to members, who happen to be paid professional genealogists, either full-time or part-time, self-employed or employed in independent research or acting in a paid, consultative, advisory or assistant capacity.


Article 1 - Mutual Help

1.1 The member co-operates with his or her peers, with SFOHG, and with other organizations involved with genealogy or related matters.

1.2 The member shares his or her findings via publication, or by leaving a copy at the library of his or her Regional.

1.3 The member makes his or her research known, with the designated person in his or her Regional, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort.

1.4 The rules of respect and cordiality must be adhered  during private or public communications between members.


Article 2 - Intellectual Property

2.1 The member must ensure objectivity of information collected and published during research activities.

2.2 The member will verify collected information by referring to available original sources (civil status, deeds, etc.) before releasing it, or, where original sources are not available, in specifying the source where the information was found.

2.3 The member will abide by copyright laws and intellectual property rights of documents, manuscripts or photographs, published or otherwise produced for others, and will not make use of their content without the express authorization of the author, except where permitted by Canadian law.

2.4 The member rejects plagiarism in all its forms, indicates all sources of information consulted, properly identifies extracts from texts of other authors, and clearly identifies any collaborative efforts.


Article 3 – Respect of documents and research sites

3.1 The member respects instructions given by authorities, rules and procedures established in his or her Regional and in the various centres or research sites visited.

3.2 The member undertakes research activities while respecting those working around him or her.

3.3 The member takes great care when using working tools and documents including books, registers, card-indexes, manuscripts, plans, photographs, microfilms, artefacts or computerised data.  

3.4 Under no circumstances shall the member annotate documents consulted.  If corrections are required, the owner of said documents is to be contacted.

3.5 The member shall not borrow, keep, damage or mutilate research instruments or documents placed in his care.


Article 4 – Respect the right to privacy

4.1 The member shall respect the confidentiality of information gathered which concerns the private life of citizens, will use discretion and judgment when communicating, publishing and distributing such information, and obtain, when possible, the permission of persons concerned.

4.2 The member must be aware of the limits imposed by the Privacy Act.

4.3 The member shall not divulge consanguinity of a person legally adopted, unless the person in question agrees or if it is common knowledge, in which case, it is the member’s responsibility to clearly establish the facts.

4.4 The member shall meet all discretionary obligations undertaken when confidential information is obtained, will be bound by such obligations, and will answer personally for any violations.

Article 5 – Research for the benefit of others

5.1 Under no circumstances shall the member receive remuneration or any compensation for research undertaken for others.

5.2 All non-members who benefit in the research of genealogical data undertaken by a member shall pay the Regional the equivalent of a one-year membership in addition to a predetermined fee as established by the Regional.

5.3 The member will not undertake research that will harm individual interests or divulge information which may harm reputation or honour.

5.4 When requested research activities prove difficult, the member will inform the client and obtain the client’s agreement prior to continuing the work.

5.5 The member may be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses (copies of documents, subscription fees, transport costs, etc.) while undertaking research as per previous agreement with client.

5.6 The member must inform the client, when necessary, all reservations encountered, and provide, when requested, proof of accuracy of any allegations.

5.7 The member acts with integrity and presents facts in an objective manner adhering to the highest standards of discretion and confidentiality.   

5.8 When collaborating with a professional genealogist, each party must share information equitably.


Article 6 – Sanction (Treatment of complaints and inquiries)

6.1 If a complaint is made, SFOHG will initiate, if necessary, an inquiry in collaboration with representatives of the Regional implicated.

6.2 Upon completion of the inquiry, SFOHG will submit a final and binding decision not subject to appeal.

Article 7- Suspension / Expulsion

7.4 The decision of the Regional Board of Directors is final and binding without any possibility of appeal.


Adopted SFOHG’s Executive Committee
November 23, 2004