Genealogy is undergoing a modern renaissance, driven by powerful AI technologies that transform how we explore our roots. From deciphering historical documents to crafting engaging narratives, AI is rapidly becoming an essential companion for both casual enthusiasts and professional genealogists.
How AI is Enhancing Genealogy Research
- Transcribing and translating old documents
AI tools can extract names, dates, and relationships from handwritten or printed records, making them searchable and accessible. Tech like that discussed by Steve Little streamlines the transcription and translation process, especially for hard-to-read historical texts - Biographical storytelling and context enrichment
AI makes it possible to transform dry genealogical facts into vivid stories, embedding historical context or even animating audio/video avatars of ancestors - Chatbots for family interviews
Experimental chatbots tailored to interview elderly relatives or distant kin can reduce user confusion and improve data accuracy compared to traditional in-person or web-based methods - Assisting with genealogical writing and documentation
AI tools help genealogists draft text, format citations, and enhance their writing workflows—boosting both productivity and clarity - Digitizing and analyzing handwritten archives
Platforms like Arkiv Digital are exploring AI-assisted transcription to convert older, handwritten records into searchable digital text
Upcoming and Recent Online Events
Whether you’re curious or looking to level up, here’s a rundown of happenings where genealogy meets AI:
Legacy Family Tree Webinars – AI Series
- A members-only lineup titled “Artificial Intelligence for Genealogists”—12 webinars throughout 2025 covering practical AI applications (e.g., text translation, AI images, GPTs, organizing photos) Genealogy Bargains.
- Upcoming public webinars include:
- “Disclosing Use of AI for Writing Assistance in Genealogy” – September 26, 2025
- “The Best Uses of AI for Genealogists” – December 19, 2025 Legacy Family Tree Webinars+1.
And the broader 2025 series from Legacy includes 173 webinars across many topics—including AI-focused sessions
Recent Free Virtual Talks
- “Unraveling Family History with AI: Leveraging AI to Trace an Ancestor’s Journey” – Legacy Family Tree Webinars, August 13, 2025
“RLP 319: Uses of AI in Genealogy with Steve Little,” Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast, August 19, 2024. Steve Little discusses how AI can extract names, dates, relationships from text; assist with genealogical writing; and transcribe printed and handwritten records. Family Locket
“AI-Assisted Digitalisation of Historical Documents,” S. Ferro, M. Pelillo, and A. Traviglia, ISPRS Archives (2023). This article explores methods for automatic handwriting recognition from archival documents using deep neural networks. ISPRS Archives+1
“Arkiv Digital,” Wikipedia entry (last updated 2025). Notes that Arkiv Digital has begun exploring whether AI technology could be used to transcribe older handwritten texts because many users struggle with older handwriting.
South Central Chapter, Association of Professional Genealogists 