<![CDATA[Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family - Blog]]>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 09:11:01 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Microsoft Publisher Is Retiring: My Last-Minute Family History File Rescue]]>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 12:54:37 GMThttps://www.knowwhowearsthegenesinyourfamily.com/blog/microsoft-publisher-is-retiring-my-last-minute-family-history-file-rescue
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Microsoft Publisher Is Retiring: My Last-Minute Family History File Rescue

Microsoft Publisher Is Retiring: My Last-Minute Family History File Rescue

​I have spent part of the last couple of days doing something I definitely did not have on my genealogy to-do list: opening hundreds of old Microsoft Publisher files and making sure anything important was saved in a format I could still use in the future.
And when I say hundreds, I mean hundreds. 😉
I actually started working on this a couple of months ago, but with Microsoft Publisher's retirement now just weeks away, I realized it was crunch time.
At first, I didn't think Publisher's retirement would affect me very much. I barely use it anymore.
I have a few old business items and templates created in Publisher—things like invoices, business flyers, cards, and other materials—but most of what I create today is done with newer tools.
Then I remembered my books.​
And suddenly, Publisher's retirement became a much bigger project.

More Than a Few Old Business Files

Over the years, I have published books and created family heirloom books, and many of the photograph and picture pages in those books were originally designed in Microsoft Publisher.
Some of those files go back more than a decade.
Although many had already been saved or exported as PDFs or images somewhere along the way, not all of them had.
So, there I was, going through old folders and Publisher files one by one, checking what I had, opening files, and saving anything I might want or need again as a PDF and, for some of the individual picture pages, JPEGs as well.
It wasn't particularly exciting genealogy work.
But it was definitely family history preservation work.
And that is what made me realize this was worth sharing.

Microsoft Publisher Is Retiring in October

If you still have Microsoft Publisher files tucked away on your computer, external drives, or cloud storage, this is a deadline you should know about.
Microsoft is officially retiring Publisher in October 2026.
For Microsoft 365 subscribers, Publisher can continue to be used through October 1, 2026. After that date, Publisher will no longer be available through Microsoft 365, and subscribers will no longer be able to use Publisher to open or edit their PUB files.
Microsoft has specifically recommended converting existing Publisher files into other formats before then.
But there is an important distinction if you own a perpetual version, such as Publisher 2021.
Your copy will not suddenly stop opening on October 1.
Microsoft says perpetual versions of Publisher can continue to be installed and used after retirement. However, support for Publisher 2021 ends in October 2026 along with Office 2021. Once support ends, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical support.
So although Publisher 2021 may continue working, that doesn't mean I want important family history material to exist only as a Publisher file.
Future Windows changes, computer replacements, software compatibility issues, or simply not having Publisher installed someday could eventually make those files difficult—or impossible—to use.
And there isn't going to be a Publisher 2024 waiting for us. Microsoft did not include Publisher in Office 2024.
Publisher really is reaching the end of the road.

That's When My Little Backup Project Became a Big One

Once I understood what was happening, I started thinking beyond the handful of Publisher files I use—or used to use—for my business.
What old files did I have that I hadn't opened in years?
What had I created in Publisher that existed nowhere else?
What would happen if ten years from now I wanted one of those family heirloom book pages and could no longer open the original file?
That led me straight to those old book folders.
Many of the picture pages contained family photographs arranged into carefully designed layouts. Some had captions and other information incorporated into the page. They weren't simply photographs that I could pull from my photo collection and instantly recreate.
Yes, I still have my original photographs.
Yes, I still have my published books.
And yes, many pages had already been saved in other formats.
But I didn't want to assume everything important had been preserved.
So I checked.
And checked.
And checked some more. 😉
What I Saved
For anything I might want to view, print, share, or reference in the future, I made sure I had an accessible version outside Publisher.
For me, that primarily meant:
  • PDFs for complete layouts and pages where preserving the appearance was important
  • JPEGs for some individual picture pages that I might want to easily view or reuse
  • The original PUB files, which I am keeping rather than deleting
That last part is important.
I'm not throwing away my original Publisher files simply because the program is retiring. Those are still the original working files, and I may be able to open and edit them for years.
I'm simply making sure they are not my only copies of the content.
For family history preservation, I would much rather have the original proprietary file and an accessible copy than depend entirely on software that is reaching the end of its supported life.

Do You Have Forgotten Publisher Files?

​If you have ever used Microsoft Publisher, this is probably a good time to find out.
Publisher was popular for all kinds of projects genealogists and family historians might have created over the years:
family history books, reunion booklets, newsletters, pedigree charts, photo pages, memorial programs, cemetery or society publications, flyers, invitations, calendars, certificates, family reunion materials, and more.
And because some of these files may be 10, 15, or even 20 years old, you may not remember everything you created.
Microsoft recommends searching your computer or storage for Publisher files by looking for the .pub file extension.
That's essentially what I did—although in my case, I already knew exactly which folders were going to cause me trouble. 😉

A Quick Publisher Preservation Checklist

​If you have old Publisher files, I would do this before October:
1. Search for your PUB files.
Look through your computer, external drives, backup drives, and cloud storage.
2. Identify anything you would hate to lose access to.
Don't worry about every old flyer or abandoned project unless it matters to you. Concentrate first on irreplaceable family history, genealogy, photographs, books, and personal material.
3. Open important files while you still have Publisher available.
Make sure they actually open correctly and that photographs, fonts, and layouts still appear as expected.
4. Save or export important items as PDFs.
For visually designed pages, PDFs are particularly useful because the goal is often to preserve how the finished page looks.
5. Save images separately when appropriate.
Depending on the project, you may also want JPEG or other image copies of individual pages or elements.
6. Keep the original PUB files too.
Converting something to PDF doesn't mean you need to destroy the original.
7. Back everything up.
Of course, converting a file isn't much help if your only copy is still sitting on one aging computer.

The Bigger Family History Lesson

This whole experience reminded me of something that goes far beyond Microsoft Publisher.
Digital preservation isn't just about backing up our files. It is also about making sure we will still be able to access those files.
Genealogists spend an enormous amount of time preserving old photographs, scanning documents, downloading records, building family trees, writing family histories, and organizing decades of research.
But our digital family history can become dependent on a particular program, file format, website, device, or technology without us even realizing it.
Today, for me, it was Microsoft Publisher.
Years from now, it will undoubtedly be something else.
A file can be perfectly backed up in three different places and still become a problem if none of the computers in your family can open it.
That is why part of digital preservation needs to include occasionally asking:
What software do I need to open this?
Will this format still be usable years from now?
Do I have an accessible version of the finished material in addition to the original working file?
Apparently, this week my own answers to those questions involved several hundred Publisher files and quite a bit more time than I originally expected. 😉
But my published books, family heirloom books, photograph pages, and other important Publisher creations (including many my children created when they were little and are priceless) now have preservation copies outside the program.
And I can finally cross "rescue old Publisher files before October" off my list.
If you've ever used Microsoft Publisher—especially for genealogy, family books, photographs, newsletters, or other family history projects—now might be a very good time to search for those old PUB files and make sure anything important isn't trapped inside them.
October is almost here.
Learn more at Microsoft Publisher retirement and preparation information.

More on Software for Genealogy & Organization

Learn about more family history and genealogy software and organization under the Genealogy Software and Organization categories and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
]]><![CDATA[Testing ChatGPT Work: Can It Build a Genealogy Research Workbook?]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2026 15:16:35 GMThttps://www.knowwhowearsthegenesinyourfamily.com/blog/testing-chatgpt-work-can-it-build-a-genealogy-research-workbook
ChatGPT-generated genealogy research workbook with a dashboard and multiple research-management tabs.
ChatGPT turns ancestor research into a genealogy research workbook and an entire Research Command Center.

Testing ChatGPT Work: Can It Build a Genealogy Research Workbook, using AI?

When I think about fun new ways to use AI for genealogy, Excel spreadsheets aren't usually the first thing that comes to mind. 😉
But since ChatGPT Work can now create and edit spreadsheets along with documents, presentations, PDFs, and other finished deliverables, I decided to see what it could do with genealogy research.
Naturally, I pulled out my favorite AI test ancestor again: my 2nd great-grandfather, Samuel “Sam” Steinman.
This time, I wanted something completely different.
I asked ChatGPT to turn Samuel's existing research into a Genealogy Research Command Center.

For this quick test, I intentionally kept the input simple. I uploaded only Samuel’s ancestor profile, which already contained many of my researched facts, details, notes, and source information. I did not upload my complete research file, full citations, individual record images, newspaper articles, or every document I have collected for him. The purpose of the experiment was simply to see what ChatGPT could build from a limited starting file—not to create a complete professional research file for Samuel.

More Than a Spreadsheet

​What ChatGPT created was an actual editable Excel workbook with multiple coordinated tabs for managing different parts of the research.
It included areas for Samuel's ancestor profile, documented timeline, research log, evidence and conflict analysis, sources and citations, FAN Club research, tasks and next steps, findings and conclusions, and more.
The Dashboard pulled the project together by tracking things such as completed and open tasks, logged sources, unresolved claims, timeline events, and research progress.
This was much more interesting than simply putting genealogical facts into rows and columns.

Turning a Brick Wall Into a Workflow

I especially liked that the workbook was built around an actual research objective.
In Samuel's case, one question I've been exploring is when and how he entered the butcher trade.
We know he was working on the family farm in 1870. By the 1880 census, he was a butcher. Then, in 1885, he purchased G. W. Shepherd's meat market.
But what happened in between?
Using the information available in the limited ancestor profile I supplied, the workbook turned that question into specific research tasks: search 1875–1880 newspapers, investigate directories and merchant records, build a timeline for G. W. Shepherd's business, and explore the Hulet/Shepherd/Steinman FAN network.
That is where this became useful to me.
It wasn't just storing research.
It was helping manage the research process.

Evidence, Conflicts, and Things That Are NOT Samuel

​Another tab separated claims from the evidence supporting them.
Instead of treating everything as equally certain, the Evidence Matrix categorized conclusions as Proven, Supported, Unresolved, or Excluded and recorded conflicts, gaps, and possible next actions.
That also gave me somewhere to preserve records that had been investigated and ruled out.
For example, an old 1921 St. Louis newspaper item involving Prohibition stills had previously been associated with Samuel. Later research showed definitively that it was not him.
Rather than simply deleting it and potentially rediscovering the same false lead later, the workbook retains it as an excluded identity issue.
That is good research management.

And I Didn't Have to Build the Excel System Myself

​This may be my favorite part.
The workbook contains things such as formulas, status tracking, organized tables, and drop-down selections.
I don't have to build all of that functionality manually.
I can simply use the fields and dropdowns, add research as I go, and give the workbook back to ChatGPT later if I want something changed, expanded, or reorganized.
That makes a fairly sophisticated spreadsheet much more accessible.

Examples

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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Dashboard
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Projects & Objective
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Ancestor Profile
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Timeline 1-1
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Timeline 1-2
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Research Log 1-1
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Research Log 1-2
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Evidence Matrix
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Sources & Citations
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Fan Club 1-1
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Fan Club 1-2
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Tasks
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Record Checklist
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ChatGPT Generated Genealogy Research Workbook Example: Findings & Conclusions

My Takeaway

​I originally thought I was testing whether ChatGPT could make a genealogy spreadsheet.
What it actually created was closer to a research-management system.
I can see this being useful for:
  • brick wall projects
  • ancestor deep dives
  • complex family lines
  • FAN Club research
  • DNA cases
  • locality projects
  • client research
  • any project with lots of sources, questions, and moving pieces
Would I replace my genealogy database with it?
No.
But as a dedicated workspace for managing one complicated research problem?
That is much more interesting.
And once again, ChatGPT took something I could have spent a great deal of time building and gave me a functioning starting point instead. 😉

AI Reminder

A well-organized workbook does not make the information inside it accurate. Genealogical facts, evidence classifications, research conclusions, and citations still require independent review and verification.
​A quick note about my testing: These were intentionally quick capability tests, not complete genealogy research projects. Depending on the experiment, I supplied only limited material—such as an ancestor profile containing selected research, notes, facts, and source information; a few documents or photographs; or an existing blog post. I did not provide my complete research files, full citations, or every supporting document unless the particular test required it.

More AI and Genealogy Resources

Learn about more AI and family history & genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and  Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
]]><![CDATA[Testing ChatGPT Sites for Genealogy: Can It Build an Interactive Ancestor Website?]]>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:17:46 GMThttps://www.knowwhowearsthegenesinyourfamily.com/blog/testing-chatgpt-sites-for-genealogy-can-it-build-an-interactive-ancestor-website
Blog graphic for “Testing ChatGPT Sites for Genealogy,” showing a laptop with an interactive family history website, ancestor photos, a family tree, timeline, records, and genealogy materials.
Testing ChatGPT Sites for genealogy to see how AI can turn family history research into an interactive ancestor website.

Testing ChatGPT Sites for Genealogy: Can It Build an Interactive Ancestor Website with AI?

​I have created plenty of family history pages and ancestor stories over the years, but building an interactive website around one ancestor is another matter entirely.
So when OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Sites in July 2026, I immediately started wondering what it could do with genealogy.
Sites is currently in public beta and allows ChatGPT to turn information into an interactive website or lightweight web app that can be previewed, refined, and shared through a URL.
Naturally, I pulled out my official AI guinea pig—my 2nd great-grandfather, Samuel “Sam” Steinman. 😉

My First Genealogy Site Test

​Because this was only a test, I didn't upload every piece of research I have on Samuel.
I started with his Ancestry ancestor profile containing facts, notes, sources, and timeline information, along with a few family photographs and selected records.
Then I asked ChatGPT to turn that material into a family-history Site.
And it did.
Instead of giving me code or instructions for building a website myself, ChatGPT created the actual Site.
It organized Samuel's story into sections covering his life, family, research evidence, photographs, and records, and turned the material into something that felt much more like a small ancestor website than a document pasted onto a webpage.
That alone was an interesting test.
But, of course, I couldn't leave it there. 😂

Could I Make It More Interactive?

​The first version looked nice, but it still felt somewhat like a long scrolling family-history page.
So I created a second version and asked ChatGPT to make the experience substantially more interactive and exploratory while preserving the genealogy and overall visual style.
The goal was to let visitors explore Samuel's life rather than simply read from top to bottom.
That is where Sites became much more interesting to me.
I could continue editing the Site conversationally—asking ChatGPT to restructure sections, improve navigation, change captions, add interactive elements, or refine the visitor experience.
OpenAI specifically describes Sites as something you can preview and refine directly with ChatGPT before sharing. 
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Samuel Steinman Family History ChatGPT Site Example-1
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Samuel Steinman Family History ChatGPT Site Example-2
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Samuel Steinman Family History ChatGPT Site Example-3
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Samuel Steinman Family History ChatGPT Site Example-4

Protecting Family Photographs

One part of this experiment became especially important.
I had included four personal family photographs, and I wanted them protected.
At first, the watermark behaved more like a visual overlay and could disappear if someone opened or saved the image.
That wasn't good enough.
So I had ChatGPT replace only those displayed copies with flattened, permanently watermarked versions, while preserving the original source images.
The watermark remained part of the actual served image rather than simply appearing over it in the Site viewer.
That was a good reminder that when experimenting with new publishing tools, genealogists need to think beyond appearance.
What happens when someone opens, enlarges, shares, or saves the material?
For family photographs, documents, and other privately held material, that matters.
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Samuel Steinman Family History ChatGPT Site Example-5

What I Like About Sites for Genealogy

​I don't see Sites replacing a full genealogy website or research database.
What interests me is the possibility of creating focused family-history experiences.
For example:
  • an ancestor biography
  • a family migration story
  • a research case study
  • a reunion history
  • a military ancestor tribute
  • an immigrant family's journey
  • a collection of photographs and records
  • an interactive research presentation
Instead of handing someone a long narrative and hoping they read it, you could potentially let them explore the story.
That is a very different way of presenting family history.

A Few Cautions

​As with any AI-created genealogy product, the finished Site still requires careful review.
I specifically instructed ChatGPT not to invent genealogical facts, relationships, dates, quotations, or evidence.
I also reviewed the structure, captions, photographs, and research presentation myself.
And because Sites are designed to be shareable and can potentially be published through a URL, privacy and copyright deserve special attention before putting family-history material online. 

My Takeaway

​This test surprised me because I originally expected something closer to a generated webpage.
Instead, I found myself building and revising an interactive family-history experience through conversation.
And because I created two versions of Samuel's Site, I could also experiment without destroying the original.
For me, that is where the real potential is.
Not simply:
“AI can make a website.”
But:
“AI can help turn genealogy research into something family members can actually explore.”
And that opens up a lot of possibilities. 😉
​A quick note about my testing: These were intentionally quick capability tests, not complete genealogy research projects. Depending on the experiment, I supplied only limited material—such as for this quick test, I uploaded Samuel’s ancestor profile along with only a few selected records and family photographs—not my complete research collection for him.
View Site

More AI and Genealogy Resources

Learn about more AI and family history & genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and  Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
]]><![CDATA[Why I Don't Start My Genealogy Research Online]]>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:05:24 GMThttps://www.knowwhowearsthegenesinyourfamily.com/blog/why-i-dont-start-my-genealogy-research-online
Hand-drawn family tree, family photographs, documents, and handwritten notes spread across a table before beginning online genealogy research
Why starting your descendancy research offline can lead to stronger genealogy discoveries

Why I Don't Start My Genealogy Research Online: Descendancy Research Series – Part 3

​It may sound surprising coming from a professional genealogist, but one of the first pieces of advice I give people starting a new genealogy project, such as descendancy research, is this:
Don't go online—not yet.
In a world where millions of historical records are available with just a few clicks, it seems almost counterintuitive to avoid genealogy websites at the beginning of a project. But after years of researching my own family, clients, descendants, brick walls, and unknown parentage cases, I've learned that spending a little time offline first usually leads to better research, and fewer mistakes.
Here's why.

Start with What You Already Know

Before searching a single online record, gather everything you already have.
Talk with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and longtime family friends. Pull out old photographs, letters, certificates, military papers, funeral cards, family Bibles, and other documents tucked away in drawers or boxes.
You may be surprised how much information is already sitting in your own home, or in the homes of relatives.
These first conversations many times reveal names, places, occupations, family traditions, and stories that never appear in historical records.

Family Stories Are Worth Recording

Family stories aren't always completely accurate.
Names get mixed up. Dates change. Events become exaggerated over time.
But I've found that most stories contain a kernel of truth somewhere within them.
Instead of dismissing them, record everything.
Later, you can compare those stories with historical records to determine which details can be confirmed.
Sometimes one seemingly insignificant comment becomes the clue that solves an entire research problem. 

Record Every Clue—Even If It Doesn't Make Sense Yet

One of the habits I've developed over the years is writing down every clue, no matter how small or insignificant it seems at the time.
A nickname.
A military branch.
A hometown.
An occupation.
An illness.
A family argument.
A mention of "the twins."
Even details that don't make sense initially may become incredibly important later.
I've had research cases where a single clue, remembered years after a family conversation, eventually led to the correct person once enough evidence had been gathered.

Draw Your Family Tree by Hand

Yes...
By hand.
I know genealogy software is wonderful, and I use it regularly.
But before entering information into a computer, I still recommend sketching out a simple family tree on paper.
Why?
Because drawing it yourself forces you to slow down.
You begin noticing gaps.
Questions naturally appear.
Relationships become easier to visualize.
You're thinking about the family instead of clicking hints.
It doesn't need to be perfect.
A rough sketch is usually all you need to organize your thoughts before diving into records. 

Why I Wait Before Searching Online

​This is probably the advice that surprises people the most.
Online genealogy websites are incredible resources.
But they also come with distractions.
Within minutes you may find:
  • Record hints
  • Other people's family trees
  • Suggested relatives
  • Conflicting information
Before long, it's easy to start following someone else's research instead of your own.
Beginning offline helps you develop your own understanding of the family before outside information influences your thinking.
I want my conclusions to come from evidence, not suggestions generated by an algorithm.

Build Your Own Foundation First

​Once you've gathered everything your family already knows and organized your information, then it's time to begin searching historical records.
Now you're approaching those records with questions to answer rather than simply hoping the next hint will tell you where to go.
That small shift in mindset usually leads to stronger research and more confident conclusions.

Slow Down to Move Faster

​It may seem like you're delaying your research by avoiding online resources at first.
In reality, you're building a much stronger foundation.
The more organized you are before you begin searching records, the less likely you are to chase the wrong family, duplicate work, or overlook important clues already sitting in your own home.
Sometimes the fastest way to solve a genealogy problem is to spend a little extra time at the very beginning.
​Part 2: How to Choose the Best Starting Ancestor for Descendancy Research
This is #3 in a series based on my 2017 "Finding Descendants in Your Family Tree" presentation

More Genealogy Research Methods & Tips

Get more genealogy research tips, under the Genealogy Research Tips and Genealogy Quick Tips categories.
]]><![CDATA[How to Choose the Best Starting Ancestor for Descendancy Research]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:27:29 GMThttps://www.knowwhowearsthegenesinyourfamily.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-starting-ancestor-for-descendancy-research
Genealogist planning a descendancy research project with a family tree highlighting a carefully selected starting ancestor
Choosing the right starting ancestor when beginning a descendancy research project in genealogy

How to Choose the Best Starting Ancestor for Descendancy Research: Descendancy Research Series – Part 2

​Once you've decided to research your ancestors' descendants, the next question is often the hardest: Which ancestor should you begin with?
It may seem like a simple decision, but choosing the right starting point can make the difference between an enjoyable, productive project and one that quickly becomes overwhelming.
Over the years, I've found that a little planning before you begin can save countless hours later. Rather than selecting an ancestor at random, I recommend choosing one that gives you the greatest opportunity for success while keeping the project manageable.
Here are the factors I consider when deciding where to begin.

Start with an Individual or an Ancestral Couple

One of the first decisions you'll need to make is whether to begin with a single ancestor or an ancestral couple.
In most cases, I recommend starting with an ancestral couple whenever possible. This allows you to research all of their children and descendants together, providing a more complete picture of the family.
If information about one spouse is limited, however, beginning with an individual ancestor may make more sense until additional records are located. If an ancestor has more than one spouse, you may want to choose that individual to start with.

Four to Five Generations Back Is Usually Ideal

​One of the most common mistakes I see is starting too far back in the family tree.
While it may be tempting to begin with your earliest known ancestor, doing so can create an enormous amount of unnecessary work. Every additional generation dramatically increases the number of descendants you'll need to research.
In many cases, I find that choosing an ancestor about four to five generations back strikes a good balance. The family is large enough to provide valuable clues while still remaining manageable for most research projects. 

Consider an Immigrant Ancestor

If your goal is to better understand how your family arrived in a new country, an immigrant ancestor often makes an excellent starting point.
Researching all of their descendants can reveal migration patterns, settlement locations, occupations, military service, family traditions, and how later generations spread across the country.
You may discover branches of the family you never knew existed.

Choose Someone with an Interesting Story

​Sometimes the best starting ancestor is simply the one who sparks your curiosity.
Perhaps they served in the military, survived a historical event, immigrated from another country, or left behind an intriguing family mystery.
Research is often easier, and a lot more enjoyable, when you're genuinely interested in the person you're studying.

Why I Usually Recommend an Ancestor Who Was Living Around 1850

​Whenever possible, I recommend choosing an ancestor who lived around the mid-1800s.
For many researchers in the United States, this provides access to a growing number of census records and other valuable historical sources while keeping the project within a manageable timeframe.
Beginning much earlier often means working with fewer surviving records and significantly more generations of descendants to research. 

Don't Make the Project Bigger Than It Needs to Be

​I learned this lesson firsthand.
For one of my own family lines, I decided to begin one generation earlier than I normally recommend. While it certainly can be done, it also created considerably more work because every additional generation adds more descendants to research.
That experience reinforced something I still recommend today: start with a project you can realistically complete before expanding it further.
There's always time to go back another generation later.

Think About Your Research Goal

Before selecting a starting ancestor, ask yourself:
  • Are you trying to break through a brick wall?
  • Are you looking for living relatives?
  • Do you need potential DNA testers?
  • Are you searching for family photographs or heirlooms?
  • Are you researching an estate or probate case?
  • Are you simply hoping to better understand one branch of your family?
Your research goal often determines the best place to begin.

You Don't Have to Start with the "Oldest" Ancestor

Many beginners assume they should always start with the earliest known ancestor in their tree.
In reality, that's rarely necessary.
A more recent ancestor usually provides plenty of opportunities to learn descendancy research techniques while producing faster and more rewarding results.
As your confidence grows, you can always expand your research to earlier generations.

Start Smart, Not Big

One of the keys to successful descendancy research isn't simply choosing an ancestor—it's choosing the right ancestor.
By selecting a manageable starting point that fits your research goals, you'll build a stronger, more organized descendancy tree while avoiding unnecessary frustration.
Remember, every successful research project begins with a single ancestor. Choosing that ancestor wisely can set the stage for discoveries that extend far beyond your direct family line.
​Part 1: Why You Should Research Your Ancestors' Descendants (And Not Just Your Direct Line)
This is #2 in a series based on my 2017 "Finding Descendants in Your Family Tree" presentation

More Genealogy Research Methods & Tips

Get more genealogy research tips, under the Genealogy Research Tips and Genealogy Quick Tips categories.
]]><![CDATA[Gemini's AI Video for Genealogy: My First Ancestor Video Experiments (The Good, the Bad, and the Hilarious)]]>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 16:16:46 GMThttps://www.knowwhowearsthegenesinyourfamily.com/blog/geminis-ai-video-for-genealogy-my-first-ancestor-video-experiments-the-good-the-bad-and-the-hilarious
Gemini Omni AI video test using ancestor Samuel Steinman for genealogy storytelling.
Testing Gemini's new Omni AI video generation to create historical ancestor videos for genealogy
Artificial intelligence continues to evolve at an incredible pace, and naturally, I couldn't resist testing another new feature.
After experimenting with Google's new Lyria 3 and Lyria 3 Pro music generation tools, I decided to see what Gemini could do with AI-generated video. Could it create realistic scenes from an ancestor's life? Could multiple short clips be combined into a believable historical story?
As usual, I turned to my "official AI test ancestor," Samuel Steinman.
For the past few years, Samuel has been my consistent benchmark for testing new AI genealogy tools. Using the same ancestor across different AI platforms allows me to compare results more fairly over time.
This time, however, I wasn't asking AI to write about Samuel.​
I wanted it to bring him to life.

Experiment #1: No Prompt at All

For my first test, I decided to do almost nothing.
I uploaded only the AI-generated character portrait I had previously created of Samuel (in ChatGPT a little over a year ago)—no prompt, no instructions, no historical context.
Gemini automatically generated a short 10-second video.
To my surprise, it didn't simply animate the portrait. It also created an entire scene, complete with sound effects, dialogue, and a setting inspired by the background in the image. Because Samuel's character portrait happened to include a farm auction sign in the background, Gemini built an entirely new scene around that setting.
While the story it created wasn't historically relevant to Samuel's actual life, it was very interesting to watch. The video felt surprisingly cinematic considering I hadn't given the AI any direction whatsoever.
It was a pretty impressive demonstration of Gemini's creativity, but not necessarily of historical storytelling.

​Experiment #2: Directing "A Day in the Life of Samuel Steinman"

Next, I wanted to see whether Gemini could create something much more meaningful for genealogy.
Rather than letting AI invent its own story, I wanted to direct one myself.
The idea was simple:
  • Use the same Samuel character image for every scene.
  • Create a detailed character description in ChatGPT so Gemini would maintain the same appearance throughout.
  • Write individual prompts in ChatGPT for each 10-second scene.
  • Stitch all of the clips together into a short film showing a day in Samuel's life as a late-19th-century butcher.
The first scene was incredibly promising.
Samuel looked exactly like the character portrait I'd been using for a little over a year. The historical atmosphere was beautiful, the lighting felt cinematic, and watching him walk through town toward his butcher shop was genuinely impressive.
At that point, I was thinking...
"This might actually work."

Then the AI Gremlins Arrived

The second scene started well enough.
Samuel unlocked the door to his butcher shop, reached up to remove his hat...
...and then immediately put it back on.
Without explanation.
Without reason.
Apparently, he changed his mind.
The third scene introduced an even more entertaining challenge.
As Samuel prepared for the day, he began sharpening his butcher knives.
Except the knives couldn't decide how many of themselves existed.
One knife somehow became two.
Then three.
A cleaver suddenly appeared.
Another knife seemed to duplicate itself.
At one point, Samuel briefly wandered away from the butcher block before instantly returning as though nothing had happened.
It reminded me a lot of the early days of AI image generation, when people mysteriously had six fingers or extra limbs.
Instead of extra fingers...
Samuel had extra knives.

​What I Learned

Despite the amusing glitches, I actually came away fairly encouraged.
Gemini did an excellent job maintaining Samuel's overall appearance from scene to scene. His facial features, clothing style, and the historical setting remained surprisingly consistent.
Where the AI struggled was with object permanence and complex actions.
Simple scenes, like walking, looking around, entering a building, etc., worked really well.
Scenes involving multiple objects, hand movements, or several sequential actions were much less reliable. Hats developed minds of their own, knives multiplied, and continuity occasionally wandered off in unexpected directions.
In other words, AI video today feels very much like AI image generation did a couple of years ago.
The potential is obvious.
The technology simply isn't quite there yet, at least maybe not for Omni.

​Will I Keep Testing It?

Absolutely.
This first experiment wasn't about creating a polished historical film.
It was about discovering what today's AI video tools can, and can't, do for genealogy.
As these models improve, I plan to continue using Samuel Steinman as my benchmark ancestor. Running the same prompts over time should provide an interesting look at how rapidly AI video evolves and whether it eventually becomes practical for creating historically inspired ancestor stories.
For now, though...
I'll probably keep a close eye on Samuel's hat.
And count the knives.

A Note on Responsible AI Use

As with all of my AI experiments, these videos are creative interpretations, not historical evidence. While AI can help visualize an ancestor's world, it should never replace documented research or be presented as an accurate reconstruction of events.
If you choose to create AI-generated ancestor videos, consider clearly disclosing that they are artistic interpretations based on historical research. The genealogy, records, source analysis, and conclusions should always come from documented evidence, not the AI itself.
​Have you experimented with AI video yet? If so, I'd love to hear which tool you used and how your results compared. Did your ancestor behave perfectly...or did hats and household objects suddenly develop a mind of their own, too?

More AI and Genealogy Resources

Learn about more family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and  Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
]]><![CDATA[Creative AI for Genealogy: You Don't Need to Be a Prompt Engineer]]>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 14:52:06 GMThttps://www.knowwhowearsthegenesinyourfamily.com/blog/creative-ai-for-genealogy-you-dont-need-to-be-a-prompt-engineer
Picture
Creative AI for Genealogy: Easy, Engaging Family History Projects with Little or No Prompting

Creative AI for Genealogy: You Don't Need to Be a Prompt Engineer

Discover how today's AI tools can help you preserve and share your family history in engaging new ways, without writing complicated prompts.
Artificial intelligence seems to be everywhere these days. Open social media, browse genealogy forums, or attend a conference, and you'll likely hear someone talking about AI. Unfortunately, many genealogists still feel that AI is complicated, intimidating, or only useful for people who enjoy writing long, detailed prompts.
The good news?
It doesn't have to be.
Many of today's AI tools can create meaningful and engaging family history projects with very little effort. In many cases, all you need to do is upload a photo, choose an ancestor, or click a single button.
But before we talk about the tools themselves, I'd like to ask you a few questions.
  • How do we help people feel connected to their ancestors?
  • How do we get children and grandchildren interested in their family history?
  • How do we turn years of research into something people actually want to experience?
  • How do we preserve family history in formats future generations will actually enjoy?
Those questions have become more and more important to me over the years.
As genealogists, we spend tons of hours researching records, solving mysteries, documenting sources, and building family trees. But many times, those years of hard work remain tucked away inside binders, filing cabinets, genealogy software, or online family trees that few relatives ever explore.
Our research deserves an audience.
More importantly, our ancestors deserve to be remembered.

AI Is Simply Another Tool

Artificial intelligence doesn't replace genealogy research.
It doesn't replace careful analysis, original records, or sound conclusions.
Instead, AI gives us new ways to share the stories we've already uncovered.
Think of it this way.
A beautifully researched ancestor can become:
  • A well-written biography.
  • A short narrated video.
  • A song inspired by their life.
  • An animated family photograph.
  • An easy-to-understand infographic.
  • A visual timeline.
  • A social media post that sparks conversations with relatives.
The genealogy hasn't changed.
Only the way we tell the story has.

You Don't Need to Be a Prompt Engineer

One of the biggest myths about AI is that you need to become an expert prompt writer before you can create anything worthwhile.
That just isn't true anymore.
Many AI tools now include built-in features that require little or no prompting at all. Others need only a short instruction such as:
"Generate a biography."
or
"Create a one-minute video about this ancestor."
The technology has become much more friendly, allowing genealogists to focus on creativity rather than complicated instructions.

Why Creative Projects Matter

Family history is much more than collecting names and dates.
It is about preserving lives.
When we transform our research into stories, music, videos, or visual experiences, we create opportunities for others to connect with our ancestors in ways that traditional pedigree charts just can’t.
A grandchild may never sit down to read a twenty-page research report.
But they might happily watch a one-minute video about a great-great-grandparent.
They may listen to a song inspired by an ancestor's life.
They may become curious after seeing an old family photograph gently smile through animation.
Those moments can become the doorway into a lifelong interest in family history.

A New Series on Creative AI

Over the next several articles, we'll explore some of my favorite ways to use today's AI tools to bring family history to life.
We'll look at projects such as:
  • Creating ancestor biographies
  • Writing family history songs
  • Animating old photographs
  • Producing short family history videos
  • Designing engaging infographics
  • And other creative ways to preserve and share the stories you've worked so hard to uncover
The best part?
Most of these projects require little or no prompting and can be completed by genealogists of all experience levels.
You don't need to be a tech expert.
You just need a story worth telling.
And if you're a genealogist, chances are you already have hundreds of them waiting to be shared.

Final Thoughts

​Artificial intelligence isn't replacing genealogy.
It's giving us new ways to preserve, experience, and share the family stories we've spent years discovering.
After all, the goal isn't simply to build a family tree.
It's to make sure future generations want to climb it. 

More AI and Genealogy Resources

Learn about more family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and  Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
]]><![CDATA[AI in Genealogy: Creating Ancestor Songs with Gemini's New Lyria 3 Music Generator]]>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:16:40 GMThttps://www.knowwhowearsthegenesinyourfamily.com/blog/ai-in-genealogy-creating-ancestor-songs-with-geminis-new-lyria-3-music-generator
illustration representing Google's Gemini Create Music feature with Lyria 3 generating a folk ballad about an ancestor from a genealogy research timeline
Testing Gemini's new Create Music feature by turning my 2nd great-grandfather's life story into a folk ballad
Ever since AI image generation became popular, I've wondered when AI music would become just as accessible for genealogists.
I've been experimenting with AI music for a couple of years now using tools like Suno and AI Music Factory (you can read more about that at Creating Family History Songs with AI: Honoring Our Ancestor’s Through Music), usually by writing lyrics first (often with ChatGPT) and then letting the music platform bring those words to life. The results have ranged from impressive to surprisingly emotional.
So when I recently noticed that Gemini now includes a Create Music feature powered by Lyria 3, I knew exactly what I wanted to test.
Naturally, my official AI test subject made another appearance...
My 2nd great-grandfather, Samuel "Sam" Steinman.

My Test

I actually discovered that this feature has apparently been available since around late February, but I simply hadn't noticed it. I spend far more time in ChatGPT and Claude than I do in Gemini, so this one slipped under my radar.
For consistency, I used exactly the same source material I use for many of my AI experiments:
  • Samuel Steinman's Ancestry Research Profile/Timeline
  • A Folk Ballad music style
  • No custom prompt (at least for the first tests)​
​Samuel has become my "official AI ancestor." I've used his research profile for countless AI experiments over the past few years because I know his life story well enough to quickly recognize when an AI gets something right—or wrong.

Test #1: No Prompt Required

This may be the most beginner-friendly part of the entire feature.
I simply selected the "Folk Ballad" template and uploaded Samuel's research profile.
That was it.
No prompt.
No instructions.
No songwriting.
Anyone could do this.
Gemini generated a song automatically.
Actually...I generated two different versions, each about 30 seconds long.
Version One
I was pleasantly surprised.
Although short, it actually included accurate information about Samuel's life and sounded pretty good.
Version Two
This one wasn't nearly as successful.
Some basic facts were incorrect, despite using exactly the same uploaded research profile.​
That's one important reminder when using AI:
Always fact-check the output.

Wait...Why Was I Only Getting 30-Second Songs?

After a little digging, I discovered something interesting.
Everything I'd read suggested Lyria 3 was capable of creating songs closer to three minutes long, yet mine kept stopping after about 30 seconds.
It turns out there are two different experiences:
  • Lyria 3
  • Lyria 3 Pro
Since I'm a Gemini Pro subscriber, I should have access to Lyria 3 Pro.
The trick?
I needed to switch my chat model from the default Flash to Pro before creating the music.​
Once I did that...
Success.

Test #2: The Three-Minute Version

Now Gemini produced a full-length song.
This version was much more accurate than the second 30-second attempt.
The problem wasn't accuracy.
It was pacing.
Samuel lived a full life.
Trying to squeeze seventy years of births, deaths, moves, occupations, marriages, tragedies, and accomplishments into a three-minute song made everything feel rushed.
Instead of telling a story...
...it sounded more like a timeline trying to sing.

Test #3: Adding One Extra Step

This is where things became much more interesting.
Instead of letting Gemini invent the lyrics, I first asked ChatGPT to write a proper folk ballad based on Samuel's research profile.
Then I copied those lyrics into Gemini.
I selected the same Folk Ballad music style.
And let Gemini compose the music.
The difference was dramatic.
The lyrics flowed naturally.
The story unfolded at a comfortable pace.
The chorus repeated like an actual folk song.
The music fit the lyrics instead of trying to summarize an entire lifetime in a few rushed verses.
It sounded...
Fantastic.

My Overall Thoughts

If you're completely new to AI...
Gemini's Create Music feature is wonderful.
Seriously.
You don't have to know anything about prompting.
You don't have to write lyrics.
You don't even have to know where to begin.
Choose a music style.
Upload a document.
Click Create.
Done.
That simplicity alone makes it worth trying.
However...
If you're willing to spend one extra minute creating better lyrics first, the results improve dramatically.
For me, the winning workflow became:
  1. Use ChatGPT to create thoughtful, historically grounded lyrics.
  2. Copy the lyrics into Gemini.
  3. Choose a music style.
  4. Let Gemini generate the performance.
That tiny extra step completely transformed the final song.

Which Version Did I Like Best?

Interestingly...
My favorite wasn't actually the three-minute version generated entirely by Gemini.
I actually preferred the original 30-second clip over Gemini's longer automatically generated song.
The shorter version stayed focused and felt more polished.
But the clear winner overall was:
ChatGPT-generated lyrics + Gemini-generated music.
That combination produced, by far, the best result.
(I guess ChatGPT is still my favorite all-around AI tool!)

Listen for Yourself

​I've uploaded all three versions to YouTube so you can compare them yourself.
You'll be able to hear: I think hearing the differences side-by-side tells the story much better than words ever could.

Final Thoughts

​One of my favorite parts of genealogy is finding new ways to tell our ancestors' stories.
Sometimes that's through writing.
Sometimes through photographs.
Sometimes through animation.
And...
Sometimes through music.
Will AI-generated songs replace carefully written family histories?
Of course not.
But they can add something wonderfully unexpected—a way to experience an ancestor's story rather than simply read it.
And if a three-minute folk ballad inspires someone to learn more about the person behind the lyrics...
I'd call that a successful experiment.

More AI and Genealogy Resources

Learn about more family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and  Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
]]><![CDATA[Why You Should Research Your Ancestors' Descendants (And Not Just Your Direct Line)]]>Sun, 12 Jul 2026 14:09:38 GMThttps://www.knowwhowearsthegenesinyourfamily.com/blog/why-you-should-research-your-ancestors-descendants-and-not-just-your-direct-line
Illustration of a family tree expanding from one ancestor into multiple descendant branches, representing the value of descendancy research in genealogy.
Why researching your ancestors' descendants can reveal new stories, solve genealogy brick walls, and enrich your family history.

Why You Should Research Your Ancestors' Descendants (And Not Just Your Direct Line) in Genealogy

Have you ever spent hours—or even years—researching your direct ancestors, only to find yourself staring at a brick wall? If so, you may be overlooking one of the most powerful research strategies in genealogy: descendancy research.

When most people begin tracing their family history, they naturally focus on their direct ancestors—parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. While that's an important part of genealogy, it's only one side of the story.

What many genealogists don't realize is that researching an ancestor's descendants can usually reveal information that just isn't found by following your direct line alone. In fact, some of my biggest breakthroughs, both in my own family history and in client research, have come from looking forward instead of backward.

What Is Descendancy Research?

Descendancy research is exactly what it sounds like: instead of tracing your family tree backward through your direct ancestors, you start with an ancestor and research all of their descendants—their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and beyond.

Rather than focusing on a single branch, you're building an entire family network.
​
This approach may take more time, but the rewards can be tremendous.

Why Research Descendants?

There are many reasons to research the descendants of an ancestor, and each project may have a different goal. Here are just a few ways descendancy research can benefit your family history research.

Break Through Brick Walls

Sometimes the answers you're searching for aren't found in your direct ancestor's records—they're hidden in the records of a sibling, cousin, niece, nephew, or another descendant.

Perhaps a descendant's obituary identifies family members that earlier records never mentioned. A probate record may name heirs that establish relationships. A newspaper article might explain why a family suddenly disappeared from one location and reappeared somewhere else.

By researching the entire family, you can uncover clues that solve long-standing mysteries.

Find Living Relatives

One of the most common reasons I use descendancy research methods is to locate living relatives.

Whether you're hoping to reconnect with distant cousins, interview family members, identify potential DNA testers, or just expand your family connections, researching descendants often leads to relatives you never knew existed.

Locate Family Photographs and Heirlooms

Family treasures don't always stay with your direct line.
​
Old photographs, family Bibles, letters, military memorabilia, journals, and other heirlooms often pass down through different branches of the family. A distant cousin may unknowingly have the very photograph you've spent years searching for.

Preserve Family Stories

Every branch of a family preserves different memories.

One cousin may remember stories about a great-grandparent's military service, while another has childhood memories, photographs, or letters that have never been shared with the rest of the family.

Researching descendants helps preserve these stories before they're lost to time.

Support DNA Research

Descendancy research and genetic genealogy work hand in hand.

When trying to solve an unknown parentage case, identify the parents of an ancestor, or confirm a family connection, finding the right living descendants to test can make all the difference.
​
Building accurate descendancy trees also helps identify how DNA matches may fit into your family.

Understand the Family as a Whole

Our ancestors didn't live in isolation.

They lived within families, communities, and networks of relatives who usually migrated together, served together in the military, witnessed each other's records, inherited property from one another, and appeared together throughout the historical record.

Researching descendants lets you to see the bigger picture rather than viewing each ancestor as a single individual.

Estate, Probate, and Heir Research

Descendancy research is also an important tool in legal genealogy.

Professional genealogists are often asked to identify living heirs, locate beneficiaries named in wills, or reconstruct families for probate and estate matters.
​
These projects require researching entire descendant lines to determine who is living today and how they relate to the deceased.

Medical Genealogy

Family health history can sometimes be better understood by researching descendants.
​
Learning about inherited conditions that appear across multiple branches of a family may help identify patterns that aren't obvious when looking only at your direct line.

When Should You Consider Descendancy Research?

Descendancy research may be especially useful if you are:
  • Trying to break through a brick wall.
  • Looking for living relatives.
  • Searching for potential DNA testers.
  • Hoping to locate old family photographs or heirlooms.
  • Looking for a family Bible.
  • Planning a family reunion.
  • Conducting estate or heir research.
  • Researching inherited medical conditions.
  • Wanting to better understand an ancestor's entire family.
If any of these sound familiar, descendancy research may be exactly the strategy you need.

Looking Beyond Your Direct Line

It's easy to become so focused on tracing your family tree backward that we forget another equally important direction—forward.

Every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild of an ancestor represents another branch of your family's story. Those branches usually hold records, photographs, memories, DNA connections, and clues that can help answer questions your direct line alone cannot.

After years of researching descendants for my own family, clients, attorneys, and investigators, I've found that some of the greatest discoveries happen when we stop looking only at where our ancestors came from and start exploring where their families went.

Sometimes, the key to understanding the past is found by researching those who came after.
This series is based off of my 2017 "Finding Descendants in Your Family Tree"  presentation

More Genealogy Research Methods & Tips

Get more genealogy research tips, under the Genealogy Research Tips and Genealogy Quick Tips categories.
]]><![CDATA[Google NotebookLM's New Short Video Overview: A Genealogist's First Look]]>Sun, 05 Jul 2026 14:09:19 GMThttps://www.knowwhowearsthegenesinyourfamily.com/blog/google-notebooklms-new-short-video-overview-a-genealogists-first-look
Google NotebookLM's Short Video Overview feature showing an AI-generated genealogy video created from a presentation and blog article.
Google NotebookLM's new Short Video Overview feature transforms genealogy presentations and blog articles into engaging one-minute videos with AI.

​Google NotebookLM's New Short Video Overview: A Genealogist's First Look

When Google NotebookLM first introduced Audio Overviews, I was impressed with how easily it could turn research into a conversational podcast. Since then, NotebookLM has continued adding new AI-powered features, and a few days ago another one quietly appeared: Short Video Overview.
​
Naturally, I had to try it.

As many of you know, I enjoy testing new AI tools to see how they can actually help genealogists—not just because they're new, but because they might save time, improve communication, or make family history more engaging.
​
So I spent some time experimenting.

​My Test

Rather than uploading random documents, I decided to use material I already knew well.

My first test used the PDF of one of my PowerPoint presentations, complete with the speaker notes:
Finding Descendants in Your Family Tree

NotebookLM analyzes whatever sources you add to your notebook and then offers three suggested topics it thinks would make good short videos. You can also ignore those suggestions and create your own custom topic.

I generated several versions, using each option.

The first attempt wasn't particularly impressive.

The second was noticeably better.

By the third version, NotebookLM had created a concise one-minute video that did a nice job explaining Why Genealogists Trace Descendants, one of the suggested topics. It wasn't perfect, but it was certainly good enough to share.​

Want to see the result?
▶ Watch: "Why Genealogists Trace Descendants"

​Testing with a Blog Article

Next, I wanted to see whether NotebookLM worked just as well with written content.
​
This time I uploaded one of my blog articles:
4 Essential Websites for Early California Genealogy Research

Again, NotebookLM suggested several possible video topics.

I generated several versions, trying each option, until I found one I liked.
​
One that caught my attention was:
How to Find Pre-1850 California Ancestors
​
▶ Watch: "How to Find Pre-1850 California Ancestors"
Testing both presentations and blog articles gave me a better idea of where this new feature shines—and where it still needs some work.

​What I Like

After creating quite a few videos, here are my first impressions.

Short and Easy to Watch
Each video is only about a minute long.
That makes them much easier for viewers to consume than longer educational videos, especially on social media.

It Finds Good Talking Points
I was pleasantly surprised by many of the suggested topics NotebookLM generated automatically.
Sometimes it identified the exact angle I would have chosen myself.

Multiple Versions
One thing I quickly learned is that you're not limited to a single result.
If the first video isn't quite right, simply generate another.
Each version is slightly different, and sometimes the improvement is significant.
​
Custom Topics
You're not limited to NotebookLM's suggested topics.
If you already know what you'd like the video to focus on, you can enter your own custom topic and let NotebookLM build the video around that idea.

​Where It Still Falls Short

Like most AI tools, the results can be somewhat inconsistent.
​​ 
Some videos were excellent.

Others completely missed the point I wanted to emphasize.

That's why I recommend generating multiple versions before deciding whether a video is worth sharing.

Another thing I discovered is that the videos themselves can become fairly large files, even for these shorts.

Since I wanted to add my website address to each video, I imported them into Google Vids to add a small text footer.

That simple edit nearly doubled the file size.​

Instead of uploading those large files directly, I chose to upload them to YouTube and simply share the links. For me, that's a much more practical solution.

​Ideas for Genealogists

As I experimented, I found myself thinking beyond presentations and blog posts.
​
This feature could be useful for creating:
  • Summaries of genealogy presentations
  • Quick introductions to research topics
  • Educational social media posts
  • Highlights from genealogy blog articles
  • Family history storytelling
  • Ancestor spotlights
  • Society announcements
  • Research tips
Because the videos are so short, they're ideal for grabbing attention and encouraging viewers to learn more.

My Overall Thoughts

NotebookLM's Short Video Overview feature isn't perfect, but it's surprisingly useful.

Some videos will miss the mark.

Others will capture your content remarkably well.

The key is experimenting with different sources, trying multiple generations, and taking advantage of both the suggested and custom topics.

For genealogists who already create presentations, write blog posts, or produce educational content, this feature offers another creative way to repurpose the work you've already done.

I'll definitely continue experimenting with it, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Google improves it over time.
​
If you've tried NotebookLM's new Short Video Overview feature, I'd love to hear about your experience. Did it capture your content well, or did you have to generate several versions before finding one you liked?

​More AI in Genealogy

Learn about more AI in genealogy updates, tips, and resources (including more NotebookLM tools), along with other family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and Genealogy Resources categories and on my dedictaed Genealogy Resources page.
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