The short version
FamilyLegacy is a local-first application. Your genealogy data — every person, event, source, document, and photograph — is stored exclusively in a .familytree file on your Mac. It never leaves your device unless you deliberately export or share it. We do not collect it, we cannot access it, and we do not store it on any server.
1. Who we are
FamilyLegacy is developed and published by HighRoad Software, a software company based in Belgium. For any privacy-related questions, contact us at privacy@highroadsoftware.com.
2. Data you enter into the app
All genealogy data you create or import within FamilyLegacy — including names, dates, places, relationships,
sources, notes, photographs, scanned documents, DNA data, and hypotheses — is stored exclusively on your device
in a local SQLite database file (.familytree) that you control.
This data is not transmitted to HighRoad Software or any third-party server. We have no access to it at any time. It is not backed up to our systems. It does not leave your Mac unless you:
- Explicitly export it (GEDCOM, PDF, ZIP archive) and share the file yourself
- Enable an iCloud Drive sync via macOS system settings (governed by Apple's own privacy policy)
- Use the optional AI assistant in "remote" mode (see Section 5)
3. Data we collect — diagnostics and crash reports
FamilyLegacy may collect anonymous diagnostic information through Apple's standard crash reporting infrastructure, subject to your system-level privacy settings on macOS. This information may include:
- Crash logs (stack traces without any personally identifiable information or genealogy data)
- Basic app version and operating system version
This data is collected and processed by Apple, not by HighRoad Software directly. You can disable this entirely in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements.
FamilyLegacy does not integrate any third-party analytics SDK (no Mixpanel, Firebase Analytics, Amplitude, or equivalent). We do not track in-app behaviour, feature usage, or session duration.
4. Purchases and payment
If you purchase FamilyLegacy Premium through the Mac App Store, your payment and billing information is handled entirely by Apple. HighRoad Software does not receive or store your payment card details.
If you purchase a direct license through our website (processed by FastSpring), your payment is handled by FastSpring, Inc. under their own privacy policy. We receive only the information required to issue a license key (your email address and order reference). We do not store credit card information.
5. AI assistant and OCR features
FamilyLegacy includes an optional AI research assistant and document OCR feature. These operate in two modes:
Local mode (default)
When configured to use a local language model (via Ollama-compatible runtime installed on your Mac), all AI processing happens on-device. No data is transmitted to any external server.
Remote mode
If you configure the AI assistant to use a remote API (such as OpenAI-compatible endpoints), excerpts from your genealogy data that you explicitly submit in queries will be transmitted to that external service. You are responsible for reviewing that service's privacy policy before enabling remote mode. HighRoad Software does not act as an intermediary for these requests and does not log or store them.
The OCR feature (document text extraction) uses Apple's Vision framework and processes documents entirely on-device. No document images or extracted text are transmitted to HighRoad Software.
6. DNA data
DNA match files you import into FamilyLegacy (from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, FamilyTreeDNA, MyHeritage,
or similar services) are stored exclusively in your local .familytree database file.
HighRoad Software does not transmit, process, or have access to your DNA data at any time.
7. Support communications
When you contact us at support@highroadsoftware.com, we retain your email address and the content of your message in order to respond to your request. We do not use support correspondence for marketing or share it with third parties. You may request deletion of your support correspondence at any time.
8. Children's privacy
FamilyLegacy is not directed at children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us, please contact privacy@highroadsoftware.com.
9. Your rights (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area, you have the right to:
- Access any personal data we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate personal data
- Request deletion of your personal data
- Object to or restrict processing of your personal data
- Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
Because FamilyLegacy processes no genealogy data on our servers, the data under your control is the data on your own device. To exercise any of the rights above regarding support correspondence or purchase records, contact privacy@highroadsoftware.com.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy when the application adds features that change how data is handled. Significant changes will be announced in the app's release notes. The current version of this policy is always available at this URL.
11. Contact
For privacy questions or requests:
privacy@highroadsoftware.com
HighRoad Software
Belgium