By commissioning a project, you agree to these Service Terms. Pricing and ordering.

1. Overview

These Family Story Research Service Terms (“Terms”) apply to all research and narrative writing services (“Services”) provided by the Southwick Time Machine (“STM,” “I,” or “me”) to any client (“you”).

By requesting or paying for Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms.

2. Scope of Services

STM provides historical research and narrative storytelling based on available records, public documents, and archival sources.
Services include: an initial research phase, optional narrative stories (Individual Life Story, Expanded Family Story, or Single Event Story), and optional public or private presentation of the final story.
Services do not include legal, medical, financial, or genealogical certification advice. Stories are interpretive narratives for informational and storytelling purposes only, not formal documentation.

3. Process and Deliverables

Initial Historical Research: A focused attempt to locate relevant records and references about the agreed subject. You receive a brief summary of findings and the option to proceed to a full narrative story.
Narrative Stories: If you proceed, STM will write the selected narrative (Individual or Expanded) using the research findings and relevant historical context. Length ranges are estimates, not strict limits. Turnaround times are estimates and not guaranteed.
Updates to Public Stories: Public stories may be updated up to three times free if significant new information is discovered. Any updates are at STM’s sole discretion and are not guaranteed on a particular schedule.
The Human Touch
Like every story on the Southwick Time Machine, your piece will be carefully researched and written by a human being. Limited use of A.I. or word processing tools may be used during the editing process, primarily for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity. The STM cannot be responsible for errors in historical records or errors when translating records.

4. Public vs. Private Stories

The person requesting and paying for the project chooses whether a story will be public or private.
STM cannot verify that all relatives agree with publication or privacy decisions and is not responsible for resolving objections or disputes among family members.

Public Stories

Are published on the Southwick Time Machine website as part of its historical archive*.
May occasionally be updated if new information is discovered.
Once published, a story cannot later be made private.
* The Southwick Time Machine does not guarantee permanent online access to any content. If the site is discontinued or taken offline for any reason, all publicly available stories—including commissioned works—may be removed and no longer accessible.

Private Stories

Are delivered directly to the client and are not published on the STM website.
Require a private story fee in addition to the story fee.
May later be made public at the written (email) request of the original client; the private fee is not refundable if the story is later published.

Privacy of the Story, Not the Person

A private story restricts publication of that specific narrative, not the underlying person or topic.
STM may accept future commissions involving the same person, family, or events, and may independently research and write about the same subjects for other projects, using public records and independent research.
Commissioning a private story does not create exclusive rights to the subject of the story.

5. Pricing and Payment

Current base prices are listed on the STM website. STM may update prices from time to time; the price quoted and agreed for your project applies to that project.
Payment is required before research or writing begins and is non‑refundable, because it covers time already spent on research and writing.
Payment is accepted via the Donation button or PayPal (and any other clearly indicated method).
For very common names or especially complex cases, additional fees may be required; any such fees will be discussed and confirmed with you before work proceeds.

If STM is unable to begin a project for scheduling or other reasons, any payment made for that project will be returned.

6. Research Limitations and No Guarantees

Not every life is equally documented; results depend on time period, location, and surviving records.
Some projects may produce partial, limited, or no new findings.
Additional research beyond the originally agreed scope may require a new request or additional fee, with your approval.

No Guarantees of Specific Results or Turnaround Time

STM cannot guarantee that specific records will exist, that a particular ancestor or event can be positively identified, or that the final story will match family memories or expectations.
You are commissioning professional effort and narrative work, not a promised outcome.
Each story is built from historical research, and no two are the same. Turnaround time greatly vary. Some stories come together quickly, while others take time to uncover and verify. Because of this, turnaround times can vary and are not always predictable—but updates will be shared along the way so you’re never left wondering about the status of your story. Refunds are not offered based on turnaround time or findings. Thank you for your understanding. Your patience is greatly appreciated while your story request is being researched and written.
Due to the nature of this service and the time and costs involved, story requests are nonrefundable.

7. Information You Provide

You agree to provide accurate information to the best of your knowledge.
By submitting a request, you confirm that any details provided about living individuals are shared with their knowledge and permission.
STM may rely on the accuracy of information supplied by you and is not responsible for errors or omissions that result from inaccurate or incomplete information you provide.

8. Accuracy and Use of Information

STM makes every effort to provide a thorough and accurate narrative based on available records and sources.
Historical records may themselves contain errors or contradictions. All narratives are interpretive and may reflect uncertainties or gaps in the record.
Stories are offered for informational and storytelling purposes only and should not be used as legal, medical, financial, or official genealogical documentation.

An itemized index of sources is not provided due to archival restrictions and copyright limitations, though STM may provide a general description of the types of sources consulted (for example, census records, directories, or newspapers).

9. Sensitive Information and Family Reactions

Historical research sometimes reveals unexpected or difficult information (such as prior marriages, legal troubles, or family conflicts). STM is not responsible for how you or your relatives respond to any information uncovered, nor for any personal, emotional, or family disputes that may arise from the research or story.

Editorial Standards

The Southwick Time Machine presents stories as faithfully as possible to the historical record. Some narratives may include language or descriptions drawn from historical sources that reflect the attitudes and norms of their time. This may include terms that are outdated or offensive by modern standards. These are not endorsed, but are preserved to maintain the integrity and context of the original record.

10. Intellectual Property

STM retains copyright in all narrative texts it creates.
You receive a personal license to use, share, and reproduce the story for non‑commercial family and personal purposes (such as printing copies for relatives, including in a family book, or sharing at a reunion).
You may not resell the story, publish it commercially, or claim authorship without prior written permission from STM.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, STM is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of the research or stories, including any decisions made or actions taken based on the information provided.

12. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms and any Services provided by STM are governed by the laws of the State of South Carolina, without regard to its conflict‑of‑law rules.
Any legal claims or disputes relating to STM’s Services must be brought in the appropriate state or federal courts located in South Carolina.

13. Changes to Terms

STM may update these Terms from time to time. The version in effect at the time you confirm a project will apply to that project. The current Terms will always be available on the STM website.