Origin Probate Research Ltd: Privacy Policy
About us
Origin Probate Research Ltd (“we”) is a probate genealogy firm, who work cases locally and internationally. It is our job to trace people entitled to a share of an estate or asset matter. For example, we trace the next-of-kin of those who have died without leaving a will, as well as tracking down people who are beneficiaries of wills, but are yet to be located. In order to perform these tasks it is vital that we process many forms of personal data.
Please read this privacy policy very carefully, as it explains what personal data we gather, why we do so, who has access to your personal data and what your legal rights are.
In accordance with data protection law, Origin Probate Research Ltd (Company number: 11772663) is registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office. Our ICO reference is ZA489384 and the registered office address is 30 Stoneby Drive, Wallasey, Wirral, CH45 0LQ.
Why do we collect personal data?
By law, we must have a legitimate reason for storing and using your data. We collect data about potential and actual beneficiaries (and their families), and those who are connected to the cases we are working. We use this data for our legitimate interest as a probate genealogy firm, in order to research and create family trees to help identify the beneficiaries of an estate and to establish the rightful heirs to unclaimed assets.
The data is also used to aid with administrative tasks pertaining to each case and to fulfil our contractual duties for beneficiaries. In the process of proving a beneficiary’s claim to an estate, we may be required to share your information for the purpose of legal duties, such as with solicitors, estate administrators and local authorities.
We will not share your information with third parties without your consent, and you have the opportunity to withdraw your consent at any time.
If at any point we intend to transfer your information to parties outside of the EEA (European Economic Area), we will obtain your consent first.
What data do we hold?
- Full names (or parts thereof)
- Dates of birth, marriage and death
- Addresses
- Telehone numbers (landline and mobile)
- E-mail addresses
- Occupations
- Any other information that you may provide us
We strive to ensure any data we hold is accurate and we only collect and store data that is relevant to our research and required for our work on that particular case.
What “sensitive” data do we hold?
We may at times need to store information of a more sensitive kind, which may reveal someone’s ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender at birth, etc. This data is only used for research purposes, in order to correctly identify the entitled beneficiaries and to ensure the correct administration of an estate. Your interests, freedoms and rights are carefully considered whenever we process this sensitive information.
Where do we collect data from?
We gather personal data from a variety of publicly accessible sources, such as the birth, marriage and death indexes and electoral rolls, and from instructing legal firms and through conversations with members of the public.
How long do we retain data?
In our business of genealogical research, most records are of historical value to us, to our clients and to their families. As a result, when a case has been concluded, we store the relevant information (family trees, contact details, correspondence and certificates of life events) as historical archives, for up to 30 years, after removing any non-essential information. This allows us to provide future assistance to our clients, should it be required.
Where do we store data?
All data contained on physical media relating to clients is kept in a locked and alarmed office. Electronic data is password-protected on our own internal server, accessible only by our staff.
Your data rights
- You have the right to be informed
This means you have the right to know (in a clear and understandable way) what personal data we may hold on you, where we obtained it and how we use it, as well as your rights. This is why we have created this privacy document.
- You have the right of access
You have the right to receive access to your personal data and copies of the information we hold relating to you. This is so you can be confident we are using your data in accordance with data protection law.
- You have the right to rectification
If you believe the data we hold on you to be inaccurate or incomplete, you are entitled to have that information corrected (and we would encourage you to do so).
- You have the right to erasure
If you believe we have no legitimate and compelling reason to hold your personal data, you have the right to request that we delete it from our systems. There are exceptions to this rule, however; it is not a general right to erasure.
- You have the right to restrict processing
This gives you the right to block or suppress use of your personal data (in certain circumstances). We will still be able to store your personal information, but we will not be able to continue using it.
- You have the right of data portability
In certain circumstances, you have the right to obtain your personal data in a machine-readable format and, should it be necessary, have that data transferred to a third party.
- You have the right to object to processing
You have the right to object to us processing and using your personal data for our legitimate business interests.
- You have the right to withdraw consent to processing
If we have your consent to use your personal data, you are entitled to withdraw that consent at any time. This does not mean that any prior use of your data has been unlawful.
- You have the right to make a complaint to the data protection authorities
If you are unhappy with how we have used or handled your personal data and believe we do not comply with the data protection laws, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
For more information, or to exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@originprobate.com or on 0151 601 7000.
To make a complaint or raise a concern with the ICO, please visit http://ico.org.uk or telephone them on 0303 123 1113. Alternatively, you can write to them at: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.
Changes to our Privacy Policy
We regularly review and, where necessary, make updates to our privacy policy. Any updates will be published on our website.
Cookie usage on our website
We gather and use certain information about individuals in order to provide products and services and to enable certain functions on this website. We also collect information to better understand how visitors use this website and to present timely, relevant information to them.
Cookies and how we use them
A cookie is a small file placed on your computer’s hard drive. It enables our website to identify your computer as you view different pages on our website.
Cookies allow websites and applications to store your preferences in order to present content, options or functions that are specific to you. They also enable us to see information like how many people use the website and what pages they tend to visit.
How we use cookies
We may use cookies to:
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- Analyse our web traffic using an analytics package. Aggregated usage data helps us improve the website structure, design, content and functions.
- Store information about your preferences. The website can then present you with information you will find more relevant and interesting.
- To recognise when you return to our website. We may show your relevant content, or provide functionality you used previously.
Cookies do not provide us with access to your computer or any information about you, other than that which you choose to share with us.
Controlling cookies
You can use your web browser’s cookie settings to determine how our website uses cookies. If you do not want our website to store cookies on your computer or device, you should set your web browser to refuse cookies.
Unless you have changed your browser to refuse cookies, our website will issue cookies when you visit it. To learn more about cookies and how they are used, visit All About Cookies.
Security
We will always hold your information securely.
To prevent unauthorised disclosure or access to your information, we have implemented strong physical and electronic security safeguards. We also follow stringent procedures to ensure we work with all personal data in line with the Data Protection Act 1998.
How to contact us
We welcome your questions and feedback. If you wish to get in touch regarding this privacy policy, or any other matter, please email us at info@originprobate.com, or telephone us on 0151-601 7000. Alternatively, you may wish to write to us at 30 Stoneby Drive, Wallasey, Wirral, CH45 0LQ.
Last updated
25 September 2022