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7/19/2026 AI in Genealogy: Creating Ancestor Songs with Gemini's New Lyria 3 Music GeneratorRead Now 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:
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:
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 VersionNow 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 StepThis 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:
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 ThoughtsOne 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 ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
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7/12/2026 Why You Should Research Your Ancestors' Descendants (And Not Just Your Direct Line)Read Now 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 GenealogyHave 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 HeirloomsFamily 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 WholeOur 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:
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 & TipsGet more genealogy research tips, under the Genealogy Research Tips and Genealogy Quick Tips categories.
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:
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.
 Testing Ancestry's new AI-powered "Fill in Timeline Gaps" feature to see how well it enhances ancestor timeline facts Testing Ancestry's New AI "Fill in Timeline Gaps" Feature: My First ImpressionsArtificial intelligence continues making its way into genealogy, and Ancestry has quietly introduced another AI-powered feature that caught me completely by surprise. About a week and a half ago, while I was in the middle of researching one of my ancestors, I noticed something new. As I worked through an ancestor's profile in the Facts view, I saw small "Description" buttons appearing next to some—but not all—of the timeline facts. Curious, I clicked one to see what it was. That led me to Ancestry's new BETA "Fill in Timeline Gaps" feature. Of course, I had to stop what I was doing and put it through a few tests. What Is the "Fill in Timeline Gaps" Feature? When you click one of the new Description buttons, a side panel opens displaying Ancestry's BETA Fill in Timeline Gaps tool.  Ancestry AI Fill in Timeline Gaps Feature- Example The feature uses AI to generate a description for a specific timeline fact. Before generating the text, you're given three options for how detailed you'd like it to be:
It's a pretty simple concept, but one that has the potential to make ancestor profiles much more informative—especially for users who don't normally add descriptions to their timeline facts.  Ancestry AI Fill in Timeline Gaps Feature- Detail Choices Example Why Fact Descriptions MatterMany Ancestry users simply enter a date and place for events like births, residences, marriages, or deaths and move on. While that's perfectly acceptable, the Description field provides an opportunity to add context that helps tell the story behind each event. For example, instead of simply recording a residence, you might note that the family was living with relatives, renting a farm, or appearing in a particular census enumeration district. A birth description might include details taken directly from a birth record, while a military fact might summarize information found in a pension file. Adding these details can make an ancestor's timeline much richer and easier to understand without having to open every attached source. That's exactly why I was interested to see how well Ancestry's new AI handled this task. My First Test The first person I tested was my fourth great-grandfather, Nehemiah Hulet, simply because I happened to be working on his profile when I discovered the feature. I selected the Birth fact and generated all three description options. This test actually impressed me. The AI stayed focused on the birth event itself.
So far, so good.  Ancestry AI Fill in Timeline Gaps Feature- Example 1
My Second Test Produced Very Different Results Next, I switched to my "official tester ancestor," my second great-grandfather, Samuel Steinman, whose tree I've often used to evaluate new genealogy features. Once again, I selected the Birth fact and generated all three levels. This time, however, the results were completely different. Instead of describing Samuel's birth, the AI began summarizing his life.
That wasn't what I expected the feature to do.  Ancestry AI Fill in Timeline Gaps Feature- Example 2
Testing a Residence Fact I decided to keep experimenting. I selected one of Samuel's Residence facts—one of only a couple that displayed the new Description button. This time, the results were much closer to what I had hoped for. The AI focused on the specific residence and even incorporated information from one of the three sources attached to that event. Seeing the AI reference a supporting source was encouraging because I think that's where this feature has tremendous potential.  Ancestry AI Fill in Timeline Gaps Feature- Example 3 A Bit Hit-or-Miss (For Now) After trying the feature on several facts, my overall impression is that the results are currently somewhat inconsistent. Sometimes the AI stays focused exactly where it should—on the individual timeline fact. Other times it drifts into summarizing the ancestor's life rather than describing the specific event. Fortunately, this isn't particularly surprising. The feature is clearly labeled BETA, and beta features exist so developers can identify issues, improve consistency, and refine the user experience before wider release. Where I Think This Feature Could Really Shine As someone who researches professionally, I can currently write these descriptions myself much faster and with greater precision. For me, it's still quicker to manually add information to a fact description than to generate AI text and then edit it. However, experienced genealogists are not necessarily the primary audience for this feature. The majority of Ancestry users are family historians who may not realize they can—or should—add descriptions to timeline facts in the first place. For those users, this tool could become incredibly helpful. If future versions consistently:
My Overall ThoughtsI always enjoy seeing genealogy companies explore new ways to use artificial intelligence, and I appreciate that Ancestry continues experimenting with features that help users better understand and present their family history. Like many beta features, Fill in Timeline Gaps shows promise but still has a few rough edges. At the moment, I'd describe it as somewhat hit-or-miss, depending on the ancestor and timeline fact you're working with. When it stays focused on the specific event, it does a nice job of expanding the information. When it drifts into writing a mini biography for a single fact, however, it becomes much less useful. I'm optimistic that Ancestry will continue refining the feature as more people test it and provide feedback. As with any AI-generated content, remember that it should always be reviewed before accepting it. AI can be an excellent assistant, but it shouldn't replace your own analysis or careful evaluation of the records and sources supporting your research. For now, I'll continue experimenting with Fill in Timeline Gaps, and I'm interested to see how it evolves over the coming months. Have you noticed Ancestry's new AI "Fill in Timeline Gaps" feature yet? If you've tried it, I'd love to hear what you think. Did it stay focused on the individual facts, or did it wander into life summaries like some of my tests? Let me know in the comments! More Ancestry and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Ancestry.com and the Genealogy Resources categories of my blog and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. More AI Tips, Tools, and FeaturesLearn about more AI in Genealogy tips, tools, features, and resources under the AI in Genealogy category.
 MyHeritage New Tribute Reel Photo Feature: Bringing Family Photos Together in a Video Reel MyHeritage Tribute Reel: Bringing Family Photos Together in a New Way MyHeritage continues to expand its collection of AI-powered photo tools, and in May 2026 they introduced a new feature called Tribute Reel. As someone who enjoys preserving family history and exploring new ways to share it, I decided to give it a try using photos of my mother and grandmother. The results were both fascinating and surprisingly emotional. What Is Tribute Reel? Tribute Reel lets you to combine up to 15 photographs into a single animated video. The tool animates each photo, much like MyHeritage's LiveMemory feature, then seamlessly weaves the images together into a continuous presentation. Users can:
My First Experiments I started by creating several Tribute Reels using photos of my mom. As with many AI photo tools, I quickly discovered that some images work better than others. Certain photos produced natural-looking movements, while others generated results that felt less realistic. After a few attempts, I selected the images that animated most successfully and created a version I was happy with. Next, I experimented with photos of my grandmother. Again, I tested multiple versions, swapping photographs in and out and trying different music selections to see which combinations worked best. The ability to easily recreate the reel encouraged experimentation, and I found myself refining the project several times before settling on a final version. A Genealogist's Perspective Because I personally knew both my mother and grandmother, of course, I viewed the videos with a different perspective than someone seeing them for the first time. Some of the facial expressions and movements felt familiar and believable. Others did not reflect how they actually moved or expressed themselves. This is important to remember when using any AI animation tool: the animations are generated interpretations, not authentic recordings of a person's behavior. As genealogists and family historians, we should always be careful not to confuse AI-generated content with historical reality, and mark them as so. That said, the overall effect can still be powerful. The Emotional ImpactWhat surprised me the most was the reaction from others. Several people who watched the Tribute Reel commented on how moving it was. One person said: "I don't even know you and that brought tears to my eyes. Well done!" That response reminded me that family history is ultimately about people and connections. While we spend countless hours researching records, building family trees, and analyzing DNA matches, tools like Tribute Reel offer another way to share those stories in a format that resonates emotionally with family members. For relatives who may never read a lengthy research report or family history book, a short video can sometimes create an immediate connection to the past.  MyHeritage Tribute Reel: A Tribute to My Grandmother Final ThoughtsOf Course, Tribute Reel is not a replacement for traditional genealogy research, nor should its animations be viewed as historically accurate representations of our ancestors. However, as a storytelling tool, it offers an engaging way to showcase family photographs and create meaningful presentations for relatives. Like many AI tools, the quality of the final product depends on the photographs you choose, so don't be afraid to experiment with different images and settings. After creating reels for both my mom and grandmother, I found the feature really easy to use, fun to experiment with, and capable of producing some surprisingly touching results. For family historians looking for new ways to share treasured photographs and preserve memories, Tribute Reel may be worth exploring. Have you tried MyHeritage Tribute Reel yet? I'd love to hear about your experience and see how you've used it to bring your family history to life. More MyHeritage and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more MyHeritage updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the MyHeritage and the Genealogy Resources categories of my blog and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Using AI beyond genealogy research: Creating speaking invites and promotional graphics in seconds with ChatGPT When most genealogists think about artificial intelligence (AI), they think about genealogy research. AI is often associated with transcribing documents, translating records, analyzing DNA matches, summarizing information, or helping solve brick wall problems. Although AI can certainly assist with those tasks, I use it for much more than genealogy research. Today, I spent some time creating promotional images for several of my upcoming genealogy presentations. It reminded me just how much AI has changed the way I create content for business and speaking engagements. What once required multiple programs and a considerable amount of design time can now usually be accomplished in seconds. My Journey Creating Speaking Invites with AII've been creating genealogy speaking invitations with AI ever since image generation tools first became available. Like many early adopters, I experienced the growing pains of the technology firsthand. The earliest AI-generated images often required significant editing and sometimes produced some pretty strange results. Text was frequently misspelled, designs could be inconsistent, and it usually took multiple attempts to create something usable. Over the past few years, however, the technology has improved dramatically. Each new update has brought better image quality, improved layouts, more realistic designs, and much greater control over the final result. Today, I can usually create a professional-looking speaking invitation in just a few seconds using ChatGPT's image generation capabilities. Examples
Less than 3 minutes for the batch. AI vs. Traditional Design ToolsFor many years, I relied heavily on Canva and Adobe Express to create promotional graphics, presentation invitations, website images, and social media content. I sometimes still use both tools and find them valuable for specific projects. Canva remains useful for certain templates and recurring image series, while Adobe Express offers additional design capabilities when I need more customization. However, when I need a quick graphic for an upcoming presentation or announcement, AI has become my first choice. Instead of starting with a blank canvas and manually building a design, I can simply describe what I need and have multiple options generated within seconds. This allows me to focus more on my presentations and less on the design process. AI in Genealogy Isn't Just for ResearchOne of the biggest misconceptions about AI in genealogy is that it is only useful for research. In reality, AI can assist genealogists in many aspects of their work, whether they are professional genealogists, society volunteers, speakers, bloggers, authors, or family historians. AI has become a valuable tool not only for discovering family history but also for sharing it with others. Other Ways Genealogists Can Use AIBeyond research, genealogists can use AI to help with:
The Biggest Benefit: Saving TimeFor me, the greatest advantage of using AI for image creation is the time savings. As genealogists, we already spend countless hours researching records, analyzing evidence, developing presentations, writing reports, creating educational content, and helping others discover their family stories. The less time I spend creating graphics from scratch, the more time I can devote to serving clients, preparing presentations, writing blog posts, and conducting research. While AI won't replace creativity or expertise, it can significantly reduce the time required to complete many routine tasks. Final ThoughtsAI has become one of the most versatile tools in my genealogy toolbox. While it can certainly assist with family history research, its usefulness extends far beyond records, DNA, and brick wall problems. Whether I'm creating speaking invitations, website graphics, blog images, or educational materials, AI helps me work more efficiently and focus on the aspects of genealogy I enjoy most. The next time you think about AI in genealogy, consider looking beyond research applications. You may discover that it can help simplify many other parts of your genealogy journey as well. How are you using AI in your genealogy work? Are you using it strictly for research, or have you found creative ways to incorporate it into your genealogy projects, presentations, society work, or business? More AI in GenealogyLearn about more AI in genealogy updates, tips, and resources (including photo 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.
6/7/2026 Immigration & Passenger List Research Checklist: A Quick Guide to Finding Your Ancestor’s JourneyRead Now Immigration Research Checklist: Steps for genealogy Success Tracing an ancestor’s immigration story is one of the best parts of genealogy. Whether you’re researching 17th-century arrivals in the colonies or 20th-century passengers entering Ellis Island, immigration records provide essential clues about family origins, migration patterns, occupations, relationships, and sometimes the personal motivations behind the journey itself. Because immigration records vary a lot by time period, country, and port, this checklist gives you a structured approach that works for almost any period. Use it as a quick reference guide whenever you begin a new immigration search or when you need a framework to help untangle multiple candidates with the same name. 1. Start With What You Already Know Before jumping to the passenger lists, gather all home-country and U.S. clues.
2. Estimate the Date Range of Immigration Use U.S. records to narrow down the window:
3. Identify Likely Ports of Arrival The most common U.S. arrival ports include:
4. Search Passenger Lists Using Variants Names were recorded by how they sounded, inconsistently, and many times incorrectly.
5. Examine the Full Passenger List Page Don’t rely on just the index entry.
6. Pay Special Attention to the “Nearest Relative” Fields These fields usually contain the "breakthrough" details you may need:
7. Track Traveling Companions People rarely traveled alone.
8. Review Border Crossings and Secondary Entries Your ancestor may show up multiple times.
9. Connect Passenger Lists With Naturalization Records Naturalization files can usually clarify confusing passenger entries.
10. Look for Clues in Ship Manifests Beyond the Basic List Many manifests contain additional pages.
11. Build a Timeline of the Journey A good timeline helps you:
12. Document Findings and Cite Every Record Immigration research usually involves various pieces of indirect evidence.
Putting It All Together Immigration records can break through brick walls and connect your research directly to your ancestral homeland, but only when you approach it with a thoughtful plan. By gathering U.S. clues first, searching passenger lists systematically, paying close attention to traveling companions, and linking findings with naturalization records, you can turn scattered data into a much more understandable narrative. This checklist is ideal for your research toolkit or those “quick win” research days when you want to uncover something meaningful without taking on a major project. More Genealogy Research Tips & ResourcesFind more genealogy research tips, checklists, guides, and resources, under the Genealogy Research Tips, Genealogy Quick Tips, and Genealogy Resources categories and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Top 5 Free Genealogy Education Resources to help you learn new research skills, discover records, and more Genealogy education doesn't have to be expensive. Whether you're just getting started or have been researching your family history for years, there are countless opportunities to learn new skills, discover new records, and stay current with the latest genealogy tools and techniques. The best part? Some of the best genealogy education available today is completely free. Here are my top 5 free genealogy education resources to help you continue growing as a genealogist. 1. Legacy Family Tree Webinars Legacy Family Tree Webinars Free Genealogy Learning Legacy Family Tree Webinars is one of my favorite genealogy education resources. It features hundreds of classes taught by some of the leading researchers, speakers, and experts in the genealogy field. Most live webinars are free to attend, and recordings are typically available free for the first seven days. MyHeritage-sponsored webinars remain free to watch indefinitely. In my experience, many of these webinars are the same high-quality presentations given at genealogy conferences and institutes, making this an excellent way to learn from top experts without leaving home or breaking the bank. Some of the topics available include:
2. FamilySearch & FamilySearch Library  FamilySearch Library Free Genealogy Learning Resources FamilySearch offers one of the most extensive collections of free genealogy education available anywhere. Between its Learning Center, Research Wiki, webinars, classes, and RootsTech library, genealogists can find thousands of hours of educational content covering virtually every topic imaginable. Whether you're learning basic research skills, exploring records from another country, studying DNA, or trying to decipher old handwriting, FamilySearch likely has a resource available. Some of the free educational resources include:
3. BYU Library Family History Center  BYU Library Family History Center Free Genealogy Learning Resources The BYU Library Family History Center offers a fantastic collection of free genealogy education resources online. Their educational content includes webinars, virtual classes, instructional videos, and presentations taught by respected genealogy experts. Topics cover a wide range of research areas and skill levels, making it a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced genealogists. Resources include:
4. Genealogical Societies  Genealogical Societies Free Genealogy Learning Example- Southern California Genealogical Society Many genealogical societies offer free lectures, webinars, workshops, and special events throughout the year. While some presentations may be limited to members, many societies regularly host free programs that are open to the public. These presentations often feature experienced genealogists, professional researchers, authors, and speakers sharing valuable research techniques and case studies. Ways to find free genealogy education through societies include:
A simple Google search for genealogical societies in your area is often a great place to start. 5. Genealogy YouTube Channels  YouTube Genealogy Channels Free Genealogy Learning Example YouTube has become one of the largest free genealogy classrooms available. Thousands of genealogy videos are available covering nearly every topic imaginable, from beginner tutorials to advanced research techniques. Whether you want a quick tip during your lunch break or an in-depth presentation on a specific topic, there's likely a genealogy channel covering it. Topics commonly found on genealogy YouTube channels include:
Final Thoughts One of the best things about genealogy today is that so much high-quality education is available for free. Whether you prefer webinars, videos, classes, research guides, or society presentations, there are countless opportunities to learn new skills and become a better researcher. The more you learn, the more successful you'll be at uncovering your family's story. So pick one of these resources, dive in, and see where your genealogy education journey takes you next! More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. More Top Genealogy Testing ChatGPT Images 2.0’s “Research Visual” option for genealogy education Testing ChatGPT Images 2.0 “Research Visual” for Genealogy InfographicsOkay, so what do you do when you’re sick and playing hooky from client work? Apparently… you test AI image tools on genealogy topics. 😄 A few weeks ago, I noticed a new option inside ChatGPT Images 2.0 called “Research Visual” (complex topic infographic). Naturally, I had to try it. For my tests, I used genealogy topics and materials I already knew very well, especially my brick wall research content, so I could easily spot what worked, what didn’t, and how accurate the results actually were. I tested many examples over the last few weeks, but for this blog, I’m only showing the two brick wall examples because they showed the progression and improvements especially well, and of course I can't show them all. Test #1: Brick Wall Problem-Solving as a SystemFor the first test, I used my brick wall troubleshooting blog article as the source material, as well as my other notes. My first reaction? Very, very cool. The infographic looked polished, educational, and visually appealing. It took the structure of my article and turned it into something that felt much bigger and more layered than a normal infographic. The main sections stayed very close to my original article and were largely on point. But then ChatGPT started doing something interesting… It began adding its own extra educational sections and mini add-ons to make the infographic feel more complete and visually useful. Some of those additions were actually excellent:
Honestly? Some of the add-ons improved the infographic quite a bit. But… not everything was correct. A few sections were close, but not quite there:
The infographic kept generating resources and reading lists that looked legitimate, but several were incorrect, blended together, incomplete, or simply made up. That became a repeating pattern in the early “Research Visual” tests I tried.  ChatGPT Images 2.0 “Research Visual” for Genealogy Infographics- Example 1, Early Test Test #2: Brick Wall Problem-Solving with Practical StrategiesFast forward just a couple of weeks later, and the results were noticeably different. This time:
ChatGPT simply left it out this time. And honestly? That seemed to fix the biggest problem from the earlier tests. The earlier “Research Visual” infographics kept struggling with the resources and references sections. Once those disappeared, the overall accuracy improved dramatically. The second version also felt less like a “complex topic research visual”, that it should have been, and more like a traditional infographic. So while it may have been less visually ambitious than the first test, it was far more reliable overall. And for genealogy? Accuracy matters more than fancy visuals.  ChatGPT Images 2.0 “Research Visual” for Genealogy Infographics- Example 2, Improved My Biggest Takeaways A few things really stood out to me from these tests: 1. The improvement in just a couple weeks was huge The difference between May 4 and May 23 was honestly impressive. 2. AI is getting very good at visually organizing complex genealogy concepts Especially workflows, systems, checklists, and educational-style breakdowns. 3. It still absolutely requires expert review Some of the incorrect information looked very convincing at first glance. That’s important. 4. The potential here is enormous I could easily see tools like this being useful for:
Final Thoughts Even with the flaws in the early tests, I came away really impressed with this new option. Watching the improvement happen in real time over only a couple weeks was fascinating. And honestly? I think this is just the beginning of where tools like this are heading for genealogy education and visual learning. More AI and GenealogyLearn about more AI in Genealogy updates, tips, and resources (including photo tools), along with other family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and Genealogy Resources categories and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
5/17/2026 Finding Living Relatives: How a Weekend of Deep-Dive Research Reconnected Me to My Mom’s FamilyRead Now  Reconnecting with family through genealogy and living people research Finding Living Relatives: How a Weekend of Deep-Dive Research Reconnected Me to My Mom’s Family There are some areas of genealogy research that become more than just records, dates, and documents. Sometimes, they become deeply personal. This past weekend, I found myself diving back into a side of my family that I honestly had not researched intensely in well over a decade, my mother’s immediate family line in Ohio. While I’ve spent years helping clients locate living relatives, biological family members, heirs, unknown family connections, and long-lost cousins, this time the search was for me. And oddly enough, it all started because I simply could not stop thinking about my mom after Mother’s Day this year. A Side of the Family I Never Really KnewGrowing up in California, my immediate family was physically and emotionally distant from much of my mother’s side of the family, who largely lived in Ohio. There were first cousins I never knew. Stories I never heard. Relationships that never had the chance to form. As genealogists, we often spend so much time researching ancestors from the 1800s and early 1900s that we sometimes forget there are still living chapters of our family story waiting to be uncovered. This weekend reminded me of that in a very powerful way. Living People Search Starts Long Before GoogleOne of the biggest misconceptions people have about living people research is that it starts with a people-search website. It doesn’t. It starts with genealogy. Good living people research requires a very well-built tree. That means:
You have to fan out completely. Only then can you accurately narrow down who the living relatives likely are today. That foundational genealogical work is what makes successful living people searches possible. The Early Days of Living People SearchAs I worked through my mom’s family over the weekend, I found myself laughing a bit thinking back to how different living people search was when I first started heavily doing this type of work around 2010. Back then, there were far fewer public online directories and searchable public-record databases than there are today. Some of the old-school sites many genealogists and researchers probably remember include:
It was a very different research landscape. Then Came the Explosion of Public Record DatabasesA few years later, living people search changed dramatically. Sites like BeenVerified and Instant Checkmate started becoming much more visible in Google search results around 2013 or so, and suddenly researchers had access to significantly more searchable data in one place. I remember when:
Now there are countless public record databases and directory sites available, including tools such as:
Experienced researchers know that one database may have outdated information while another has current addresses, phone numbers, possible relatives, or useful location clues. That’s why experienced living people research almost always involves comparing information across multiple sources. But Records Alone Are Never the Whole StoryOne of the things I always emphasize is that living people research is not just about locating someone. It is about context. It is about understanding family relationships. It is about carefully piecing together lives and movements across decades. And sometimes, it is about healing. Over the weekend, I was able to successfully make contact with several cousins. We shared stories. We filled in gaps. We talked about family history, difficult relationships, old memories, and the things that were never fully understood growing up. And honestly? Some of those conversations helped me understand my mother in ways I never fully had before. Why she was the way she was. Why she made certain decisions. Why she ultimately cut off contact from parts of her family. Genealogy has a way of humanizing the past, even when the past is still living. Living People Research Is Genealogy TooSometimes people separate “living people search” from genealogy, but in reality, they are deeply connected. Living people research often requires:
And while records can help us find people, it is often the conversations afterward that become the most meaningful part of the journey. This weekend reminded me of that. Sometimes genealogy is not just about discovering the past. Sometimes it is about reconnecting with the living pieces of it. More Genealogy ResourcesFind more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
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Welcome to the BlogWelcome to Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family! Here you'll find genealogy research tips, family history resources, DNA insights, technology and AI tools, genealogy news, and stories from my own research journey. Whether you're just starting your family tree, exploring your ancestry, or tackling a challenging brick wall, my goal is to help you discover, understand, and preserve your family's story. Categories
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