ChatGPT / Microsoft Copilot — AI Storytelling & Research Assistance
- Use cases: Craft ancestor biographies, generate research prompts, and draft family narratives.
- Caveat: Always verify AI-generated information—it’s a helpful aide, not a source itself.
Ancestry AI Assistant (Beta)
- What it does: Answers questions about your family history and DNA matches using AI logic.
- Why it matters: Helps users interpret complex data and pivot their research more strategically.
MyHeritage AI Tools
- Smart Matches & Record Matching: AI-powered suggestions for likely ancestors across trees and records.
- Photo Enhancements/Deep Nostalgia/AI Time Machine: Revive old family photos with animation, color, and era-specific filters.
AI-Powered Handwriting Recognition & Image Analysis
- While direct tools aren’t named yet, AI is increasingly successful at transcribing cursive records and restoring old images—making previously inaccessible archives searchable and legible.
AI-Assisted Historical Mapping via GPT-4
- On forums like Reddit, genealogists share how GPT-4 can map ancestral addresses over time, even adjusting for changing place names.
AI Tools & Their Genealogy Applications
| Tool / Platform | Genealogy Application |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT / Copilot | Generate stories, plan strategies, summarize data |
| Ancestry AI Assistant | Ask questions, clarify DNA results |
| MyHeritage AI Features | Match records, enhance and animate old photos |
| AI Transcription Tools | Decode cursive handwriting and digitize images |
| GPT-4 Mapping Tricks | Visualize historical addresses over time |
Final Thoughts
AI is transforming genealogy—from preserving records to reviving stories and images. But remember: AI tools amplify your research, not replace your judgment. Keep verifying, questioning, and humanizing what AI helps you discover.
South Central Chapter, Association of Professional Genealogists 