The rules of the road for visiting, submitting, and reading.
Effective May 1, 2026 · Last updated May 1, 2026
By accessing or using honoredancestors.com (and our related domains honoredancestors.net, .org, .info, and any subdomains we operate, collectively the "Site"), you agree to these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, do not use the Site.
The Site is a public memorial platform operated by Honored Ancestors ("we," "us," "our"). Our mission is to gather, preserve, and publicly honor the lives of those who came before us, with an initial focus on African American heritage. Visitors may read featured stories, sign up for updates, contact us, and submit stories for review.
You must be at least 18 years of age to submit a story. If you are between 13 and 17 you may use the Site to read featured stories, but please do not submit personal information. The Site is not directed to children under 13.
You agree to use the Site honestly and respectfully. You will not:
We may, at our sole discretion, decline, remove, or amend content that violates these Terms or is inconsistent with the dignified purpose of the Site.
Story submissions are governed by the Story Submission Terms, which are incorporated into these Terms by reference. By submitting a story, you accept those Submission Terms. The short version: you confirm you have the right to share what you submit, and you grant us a license to publish it as a featured page in accordance with your privacy preference.
We review every submission by hand. We may edit submissions lightly for clarity, length, formatting, factual accuracy, or to honor the dignity of the platform. We may decline submissions that do not fit the mission. We may unpublish or amend a published story at any time at our discretion or upon a credible request from family of the honored person.
The Site's design, code, text we author, layout, and trademarks are owned by Honored Ancestors. Story content submitted by users belongs to the submitters, who grant us the license described in the Story Submission Terms. The names, photographs, and biographical facts of honored persons are recorded as part of a public memorial and historical archive.
The Site may include links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of those sites. Following a link is at your own discretion.
The Site is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the Site or its content, including any warranties of accuracy, completeness, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, or uninterrupted operation. Stories are provided as remembrances, not as authoritative biographical or genealogical records.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Honored Ancestors and its operators, contractors, and affiliates will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, arising from your access to or use of the Site. Our total liability to you for any claim arising out of or relating to the Site will not exceed one hundred U.S. dollars (US$100).
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Honored Ancestors and its operators from and against any claims, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) content you submit; (b) your use of the Site in violation of these Terms; or (c) your violation of any rights of another party.
If you believe content on the Site infringes your rights, contains a factual error, or should be removed for a legitimate family reason, please follow the process on our Takedown & Corrections page. We respond to good-faith requests promptly.
We may suspend or terminate access to the Site, or unpublish content, at our discretion at any time, with or without notice. Sections 5–12, 14, and 15 survive termination.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, United States, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Site will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Maryland, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.
We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will post the updated version here with a new "Last updated" date. Material changes will be highlighted. Your continued use of the Site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
Questions about these Terms? Email info@honoredancestors.com.
A note on this document: these Terms are written to be honest and clear, but they are not legal advice. We recommend any organization growing a public archive have its terms reviewed by qualified counsel before scaling.
See also: Privacy Policy · Story Submission Terms · Takedown & Corrections