AI and Family History: Creating a Perfect Ancestor Biography Using ChatGPT

AI and Genealogy: Creating a Perfect Ancestor Biography Using ChatGPT

Over the past few months, I've been diving deeper into the potential of AI for genealogy and family history. One of the fascinating aspects of AI is how it continuously evolves and improves, especially when applied to a complex and personal field like genealogy. To test how far the technology has come, I decided to recreate a biography for my 2nd great-grandfather, Samuel Steinman, one that I had first generated around five months ago.

For context, this project was part of a study I had conducted for an "AI and Family History" presentation. I wanted to see if ChatGPT had improved since that time—after all, family history is ever-evolving, and so too should our tools. Five months may not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, but in the world of AI development, it's a significant span.

The Experiment

I approached this test with the same mindset I had months ago. First, I used my own gathered research—Samuel Steinman’s entire family history, meticulously compiled on Ancestry.com. Then, I took the same steps I had previously: I opened ChatGPT, prompted it to generate a biography, and copied and pasted Samuel Steinman’s entire ancestor profile page (in one swoop) directly into the prompt.

What happened next was nothing less than impressive.

A Flawless Result, First Try

Unlike the earlier version where I had to tweak and fine-tune the generated text to remove overly flowery language or adjust historical context, this time ChatGPT nailed it on the first try. The biography it created was clean, well-structured, and detailed without unnecessary embellishment. It pulled in my research flawlessly and even incorporated a touch of historical context, just as I had requested.

Gone were the excessive adjectives that usually muddled early versions of AI-generated content. Instead, I received a biography that was not only factual but written in a professional tone that resonated with my family history documentation style.

Here’s why this was particularly impressive: I didn’t feed the AI much detail other than the ancestor profile/my research. There were no long-winded instructions, just a simple prompt. Yet, ChatGPT was able to seamlessly weave together all the relevant information into a cohesive narrative—just the way I had imagined it.

AI and Family History: Creating a Perfect Ancestor Biography Using ChatGPT Example: Biography for Samuel Steinman-1

AI and Family History: Creating a Perfect Ancestor Biography Using ChatGPT Example: Biography for Samuel Steinman-1-2

How AI Has Improved Over Time

The key takeaway from this experiment is just how much AI, specifically ChatGPT, has evolved in such a short period. Five months ago, I could see the potential, but I still had to make manual adjustments to refine the generated text. This time, I was left with a ready-to-use biography that required no extra work.
Here are a few improvements I noticed:

• Reduction in Flowery Language: One of the most common complaints I had in my earlier tests was the excessive use of flowery, overly emotional language. This can often detract from the professionalism and clarity needed for genealogy work. This time, the AI delivered a straightforward, factual biography.
• Historical Context Integration: I asked for some historical context, but in the past, this sometimes led to unrelated or overly detailed tangents. The updated version kept the context minimal yet relevant, adding just enough to enrich the biography without overwhelming it.
• Accurate Use of My Research: ChatGPT pulled from the ancestor profile I copied from Ancestry.com with precision. Names, dates, places—all were used correctly, and the AI even organized them in a way that flowed logically.

A Game-Changer for Family Historians

For those who might be skeptical about using AI in genealogy, this experience highlights just how transformative these tools can be. Not only can AI significantly reduce the time it takes to compile and write family biographies, but it also allows researchers to focus on the other aspects of family history—like uncovering stories and connections—while leaving much of the writing and organization to AI.

Imagine how this could help you write your family history! Whether you’re working on biographies, timelines, or even trying to contextualize historical events within your family’s narrative, AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming even more invaluable resources.

The Future of AI in Family History

This recent test of ChatGPT reaffirms my belief that AI will continue to play an essential role in family history research. With the ongoing improvements, AI will likely become even better at organizing and interpreting complex genealogical data, turning raw information into compelling, accurate stories. It has already streamlined a significant part of the process for me—and I can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve.

For anyone curious about using AI to assist in your genealogy research, now is the perfect time to start experimenting. The tools are here, and they are more powerful than ever.

So, what’s next for me and my AI journey? I’ll continue testing and fine-tuning my approach, looking for ways to integrate AI into every aspect of my family history research. And who knows, maybe the next big breakthrough will come in just a few months, as AI continues to advance and redefine the possibilities for genealogists like us.

In the meantime, Samuel Steinman’s biography stands as a testament to how far we’ve come in just a few short months. I look forward to seeing what the future holds.

​More AI and Genealogy Resources

Learn about more AI in Genealogy and other family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and  Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.