Information we collect
Depending on how you contact or work with us, we may collect:
- your name, email address, telephone number and correspondence;
- the service, workshop or update list you are interested in;
- family-history details, photographs, documents, places, dates and travel preferences you choose to provide;
- booking, payment and service records if you become a client; and
- basic technical information used to operate and protect the website, such as request logs, browser type, IP address and identifiers created to prevent duplicate or abusive form submissions.
Please do not send original documents or unnecessary sensitive information through the website.
How we collect and use information
We collect information directly from you when you submit a form, email us, join an update list, register for a workshop or engage our services. We use it to:
- respond to enquiries and prepare quotes;
- provide family-history research, workshops and heritage journey planning;
- manage client relationships and appropriate business records;
- send workshop or book updates where you have consented;
- maintain the security and operation of the website; and
- meet legal obligations and resolve concerns.
Website forms, update lists and Postmark
Website forms use Postmark to send transactional emails, including enquiry notifications and confirmation messages. Enquiry content is not added to the website’s subscriber database, although copies may remain in Deslie’s email correspondence and in Postmark according to its service settings.
Workshop and book update-list records are stored in a private website database. These records contain the name and email address supplied, the selected list, subscription status, consent wording version and relevant consent, update and unsubscribe dates. Unsubscribing changes the record’s status; the record may be retained to honour that preference and document the consent history.
For security and reliable form handling, the website also records a randomly generated submission identifier, the form type, delivery status and time stamps. Rate limiting uses short-lived records containing a one-way hash derived from an IP address rather than storing the raw address in the subscriber record.
Postmark is operated by an ActiveCampaign company. Information processed through Postmark may be transferred to or accessed from the United States, Australia, Ireland, Brazil, Costa Rica and countries where its service providers operate, in accordance with the provider’s arrangements and applicable law.
Sharing information
We may share information only where reasonably necessary with providers that support our website, email and business systems; researchers, venues or other providers involved in an agreed engagement; professional advisers; or authorities where required or authorised by law.
We do not sell personal information. If a project would require identifiable family information to be shared with another provider, we will explain this where practical.
Children and other living people
Family-history material can contain information about someone other than the person making the enquiry. Please provide information about a living person only when you are authorised to do so and it is reasonably necessary for the requested service. Take particular care with sensitive information and information about children.
If you are under 18, please ask a parent or guardian to contact us on your behalf.
Marketing and update lists
Optional workshop and book updates are sent only where you have actively consented or where otherwise permitted by law. You can withdraw consent at any time through the unsubscribe page, by using the instructions in an update, or by emailing Deslie. Unsubscribing will not prevent necessary replies about an enquiry or current engagement.
Security and retention
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access or disclosure. No internet or email service can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Information is retained only for as long as reasonably required to manage its original purpose, an engagement, a concern or legal and record-keeping obligations. When it is no longer required, reasonable steps are taken to delete or de-identify it.
Access, correction and complaints
You may ask what personal information we hold about you or request a correction by emailing deslie@placesthatremember.com.au. We may need to confirm your identity and may limit access where permitted or required by law, including where disclosure would unreasonably affect another person’s privacy.
Send privacy questions or complaints to the same address with “Privacy” in the subject line. We will consider the matter and respond within a reasonable period. If you are not satisfied and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) applies, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (opens in a new tab).
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as our services or legal obligations change. The current version will be published here with its updated date.