Site Updates: What’s Coming—and What’s Just Been Done
A few changes are rolling out here on LookingBackwards. Some are already live, some are just around the corner—and a few parts of the site that reflect our history beyond genealogy are back in focus. Here’s the latest.
🛠 Coming Soon: Genealogy Platform Upgrade
Next week, we’ll be updating the genealogy section of the site to the newest version of the software (TNG 15.02). This will bring:
- A cleaned-up and reorganized family database
- A smoother, more mobile-friendly interface
- Restoration of some tools and features that were temporarily offline
We’ll post a separate notice when the update is scheduled. Expect a brief maintenance window during that time.
🌐 Privacy Policy Now Live
We’ve added a full Privacy Policy that outlines how we handle data, including details on accounts, photographs, comments, and living family members. If you’re registered or appear in the tree, it’s worth a quick read. You’ll find the policy here or in the site footer.
🍪 New Cookie Settings with WPConsent
We’ve also added a Cookie Policy, along with a tool called WPConsent.
In short:
- Some cookies are essential and can’t be turned off (things like login and comment functions)
- Others—like those used for analytics or embedded videos—can now be turned off if you prefer
- All cookie data stays on our site, not sent off to third-party trackers
A banner will appear when you visit (or revisit) the site. You can customize your settings right then and there.
⚔️ Also on the Site: House Amberwood & Weregaming
While the genealogy project is central, LookingBackwards includes other pieces of our life together:
🏰 House Amberwood
Our SCA household page is live again. Ashleigh has been a member since 1973, and House Amberwood was a big part of our early life together. For those who’ve asked—yes, some of the old material is still there, with more to come as we continue digitizing archives.
🎲 Weregaming
We also maintain a Tabletop RPG blog chronicling the misadventures of our long-running gaming group. We’ve been playing together since shortly after moving to Washington State in 1987, and these days it includes our family D&D campaigns too.
Ashleigh was introduced to D&D at Navy Language School in 1976, not long after the game was first published. She’s played with both Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson—and while Gary gets all the credit, she much preferred playing with Dave.
Questions? Comments? Something broken? Let us know.

Ashleigh and Katrina
Renée du bois d’Ambre ~~~ Aislynn of Amberwood

