AI and Genealogy: Using ChatGPT to Glean Info from Obits, Articles, and Announcements

How to Extract Information from Text Sources Using Artificial Intelligence Three examples: obituary, wedding announcement, newspaper article After my discoveries last week that ChatGPT (model GPT-4) can: (1) create, read, and correctly interpret GEDCOM files, (2) create narrative reports based only on GEDCOM data, (3) match narrative style to location and setting of text, and … Continue reading AI and Genealogy: Using ChatGPT to Glean Info from Obits, Articles, and Announcements →

Artificial Intelligence and Genealogy: Using ChatGPT to Write Stories from Family Trees, Create Trees from Stories

GPT-4: A Revolutionary Tool for Genealogists and Family Historians Introduction I had fun making a couple of discoveries this week while exploring the new GPT-4. As someone with lifelong interests in the worlds of linguistics, language, computers, programming, writing, storytelling, genealogy, and family history, it has been surreal to see these interests come together, creating … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence and Genealogy: Using ChatGPT to Write Stories from Family Trees, Create Trees from Stories →

Genealogical Evidence-based Writing, Organizational Brainstorming, and ChatGPT (OpenAI’s artificial intelligence)

In my SLIG 2023 class today in Evidenced-Based Writing (Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy), we were in a session on writing preparation and organization, so when we were given ten minutes to try an organizational exercise, I thought I'd see what ChatGPT could do in ten minutes. I've been working on a research project for … Continue reading Genealogical Evidence-based Writing, Organizational Brainstorming, and ChatGPT (OpenAI’s artificial intelligence) →

Visualizing Complex Relationships: Working with Pedigree Collapse, Multiple Relationships, and Endogamy

[I took five genetic genealogy courses in 2022, most focused on endogamy, pedigree collapse, and multiple relationships. Nicole Dyer at Family Locket asked me to share something about that. This post focuses on visualizing complex relationships, such as multiple instances of pedigree collapse and multiple relationships in one DNA match (e.g., between two close cousins). … Continue reading Visualizing Complex Relationships: Working with Pedigree Collapse, Multiple Relationships, and Endogamy →

Overlay Enumeration District Maps onto Modern Street Maps to Find Relatives in Census by Place

To narrow the scope of a researcher's task, overlaying an enumeration district map on top of a modern street map may enable the researcher to focus their line-by-line browsing of census page images by dramatically lessening the number of pages to review.

Reflection Journal: Week 3: Timelines, Source Citations for DNA & Documentary Sources, & File Organization

During the winter-spring of 2022, I am enrolled in the genetic genealogy course, Research Like a Pro with DNA Study Group, from the team at Family Locket of Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin. A weekly reflection journal is one course component. I’m sharing mine. This week's lesson consisted of work with timelines, citations, and … Continue reading Reflection Journal: Week 3: Timelines, Source Citations for DNA & Documentary Sources, & File Organization →

Reflection Journal: Week 2: Create a Diagram of your Matches & Write a Research Objective

Introduction: Context, Assignment, and Prerogative As I move into the second week of the course, I build from last week’s work. This week, I use the assessment of our DNA matches and analysis of our pedigree from my previous efforts, and I create diagrams to visualize that information and I refine our possible research objectives. … Continue reading Reflection Journal: Week 2: Create a Diagram of your Matches & Write a Research Objective →

Reflection Journal: Week 1: Assess Your DNA Matches & Analyze Your Pedigree

Series information During the winter-spring of 2022, I am enrolled in the genetic genealogy course, Research Like a Pro with DNA Study Group, from the team at Family Locket of Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin. A weekly reflection journal is one course component. I’m sharing mine. This week’s assignment: analyze your pedigree and list 2-3 … Continue reading Reflection Journal: Week 1: Assess Your DNA Matches & Analyze Your Pedigree →

Reflection Journal: Week 0: Introduction: Research Like a Pro with DNA – Study Group

Series information During the winter-spring of 2022, I am enrolled in the genetic genealogy course, Research Like a Pro with DNA Study Group, from the team at Family Locket of Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin. A weekly reflection journal is one course component. I'm sharing mine. This week’s assignment: in preparation for the … Continue reading Reflection Journal: Week 0: Introduction: Research Like a Pro with DNA – Study Group →