Unlocking the Past: Exploring AI in Genealogy
Please view the AI in Genealogy Masterclass here on my YouTube channel.
🔑 Summary
This engaging masterclass offers a comprehensive walkthrough of how AI transforms genealogical research and storytelling. It introduces AI tools, responsible usage principles, and step-by-step workflows for planning, prompting, and crafting narratives. Through real-world case studies, the presentation illustrates how to break through brick walls, analyse historical records, and bring ancestors to life with compelling storytelling—blending AI’s efficiency with the emotional depth of personal history.
Let’s dive into the basics of AI.
What can you use AI for in your genealogy projects?
First, what is AI? Well, think of it as technology that mimics human intelligence to perform various tasks.
Now, there are different types of AI tools we can explore, such as language models, image enhancement, and pattern recognition. Each serves a unique purpose.
So, how can we use AI in genealogy? It can assist us in planning, summarising, analysing, extracting, transcribing, organising, and even narrating our family stories.
However, with these advancements come ethical considerations. We need to be mindful of privacy concerns, ensure data accuracy, and source our information properly to maintain integrity in our research.
Let’s open our minds to the possibilities that AI brings to our genealogy journey!
Sample Case Studies: What AI can do for your genealogy research and storytelling.
Now, let’s dive into some exciting use cases for AI in genealogy.
First, we have planning. AI can help us design structured research plans, making it easier to tackle complex family puzzles.
Next is summarising and analysing information. With AI, we can extract key details and transcribe records efficiently. This leads us to organising our findings, ensuring everything is neatly categorised for easy access.
Another fascinating aspect is historical context. AI can assist us in understanding the background of our ancestors, giving depth to our research.
And let’s not forget about narrating. Imagine being able to tell the story of your family history compellingly!
📌 Key Moments & Highlights
| Timestamp / Section | Topic / Activity |
| Opening | Introduction to AI in genealogy and its potential to revolutionize family history research and storytelling |
| AI Basics | Definitions of AI, types of tools (language models, image enhancement, pattern recognition) |
| Genealogy Applications | Examples of AI tools used in Ancestry, FamilySearch, and standalone tools |
| AI “Chocolate Box” Overview | Breakdown of tools in 3 categories: 🔹 ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini 🔹 Canva, Descript, NotebookLM 🔹 NoteGPT, Otter, Copilot |
| Responsible AI Principles (CRAGEN) | Five pillars: Accuracy, Disclosure, Privacy, Education, Compliance ➤ Visit: cragen.org |
| Prompt Engineering | Explanation of how to craft clear, specific prompts. Bad vs. good example prompts related to Mary Ann Hall |
| Use Cases: AI in Action | AI for Planning, Summarizing, Analyzing, Narrating, Historical Context |
| Case Study: James Savage | AI-generated plan, timeline, and prompts used in Claude and Perplexity to explore family tragedy and gaps in records |
| Narrative Development | AI-assisted transcription and synthesis of newspaper clippings and court verdicts from the Goodall family tragedy |
| Historical Record Deciphering | Claude used to transcribe Uncle Bill’s memoirs; census record analysis of Lily Wren’s real role in the household |
| Perplexity & Locality Guides | Research on Kingston’s history and context for Uncle Bill’s life and memoir |
| Case Study: Uncle Andy (WWI) | Biographical sketch generated by Claude, enhanced with AI-generated narrative and theatrical insights |
| Transforming Facts to Stories | How AI can assist with: 1. Biographical sketches 2. Historical context 3. Engaging, shareable narratives |
| Breaking Brick Walls | Strategies: spotting overlooked documents, synthesizing clues, and iterating with AI |
| Getting Started Steps | ✔ Watch 10-step AI skills video series. ✔ Join Facebook group, ✔ Take the Mastering AI in Genealogy course |
| Course Promotions | ✅ Mastering AI in Genealogy 2.0 – Use code AI2025✅ Beyond the Pen – Use code AI2025story |
| Final Invitation | Join live workshops, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and get direct support via email |
Do you want to get started on your AI in Genealogy journey?
Don’t know where to start gaining your AI skills?
Here is a four-step process for you:
- ✔ Watch the 10-step AI skills video series.
Essential Genealogy 2.0 YouTube Channel - ✔ Join Facebook group,
Ancestry in the Age of AI - ✔ Take the Mastering AI in Genealogy
a six-module, self-paced, on-demand course - ✔ Enrol in the Beyond the Pen, a 10-module course
spread over 10 weeks (May-July); supported by weekly Zoom workshops.
| Planning your research | Analysing, Summarising, Transcribing and Extracting data from your records | Building ancestral stories |
Viewing this masterclass provides a three-phase method of using AI for your genealogy and many practical insights and case studies for family historians.
Go one step further, join the Essential Genealogy 2.0 Academy Membership, and get access to ALL courses, downloads, masterclasses, and more.
Coach Carole Online 