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6/29/2025 LiveMemory™ Now Available on the MyHeritage Website: Bring Your Photos to Life—Right From Your DesktopRead Now A cherished holiday memory brought to life: MyHeritage’s LiveMemory™ feature now available on the web If you’ve ever wished you could step inside a treasured family photograph, MyHeritage is making that dream even more accessible. After a successful launch on the MyHeritage mobile app last November, LiveMemory™—a tool that transforms still photos into short, lifelike video clips—is now available directly on the MyHeritage website. As part of the MyHeritage Friends program, I had the opportunity to preview the new web-based version of LiveMemory™ ahead of its release. I’m excited to now share that this powerful feature is officially available for everyone to use--no mobile app required! What Is LiveMemory™?LiveMemory™ uses advanced AI to animate entire scenes from old photographs. Unlike earlier tools that focused on facial animation alone, LiveMemory™ takes it to the next level by bringing movement and subtle action to the whole scene. A photo of your grandmother at her sewing machine, a child at the beach, or a birthday celebration frozen in time—LiveMemory™ reimagines those moments in motion. Since its launch, over half a million animations have been created by users all over the world. It’s been moving, emotional, and inspiring to see family memories animated with such heart. What’s New with the Web Version?The newly released desktop version of LiveMemory™ includes several exciting additions:
How to Use LiveMemory™ on the WebGetting started is simple:
A Few of My Own LiveMemory™ TrialsAs part of the MyHeritage Friends group, I had early access to LiveMemory™ and tested it out on a variety of photos—some with more natural results than others. I found that clear, close-up portraits tended to work best with the AI animations, especially when the subjects were facing the camera. Here are a few examples from my own family photo collection that I tried using the new web-based version of LiveMemory™: Grandma with Her Two Young Sons (Circa 1944) This sweet black-and-white photo features my grandmother holding my father and uncle on her lap. The LiveMemory™ animation gently brought out movement in my grandmother’s expression and added a lifelike quality to the scene—like stepping into a quiet afternoon in the 1940s. A Visit with Santa (Circa 1955–1957) This charming snapshot shows my mother as a child sitting on Santa Claus’s lap at a department store during the holidays. The LiveMemory™ animation gave the scene a subtle sparkle of holiday magic—adding a little laughter and movement as if he were asking her want she wanted for Christmas. Christmas Morning (Circa 1962) Here’s one from my mother’s teenage years—she’s about 14 in this photo, sitting in front of the family’s Christmas tree with her three younger brothers. This busy holiday snapshot translated surprisingly well with LiveMemory™, adding a flicker of excitement and animation to what was clearly a joyful, gift-filled morning. Three Generations in One Frame (Circa early 1950s) This family group photo includes my father as a boy of about 10, along with his older sister, her husband and their baby, my grandfather, and one of my dad’s older brothers. The LiveMemory™ animation added subtle gestures that made it feel like a candid moment from a family gathering rather than just a posed portrait. Why Try LiveMemory™?LiveMemory™ isn’t just a novelty—it’s an emotional, sometimes breathtaking experience. For genealogists, family historians, and anyone curious about the past, it offers a new way to connect with ancestors and loved ones on a deeper level. Whether you’re creating clips to share at a family reunion or using them to inspire the next generation’s interest in family history, this tool adds something fresh and powerful to your storytelling toolbox. Final ThoughtsThe new web release of LiveMemory™ makes this feature more accessible than ever before. Whether you’re revisiting photos you’ve animated before or trying something new with one of the creative effects, it’s the perfect time to explore how technology can deepen our connection to the past. Give it a try on the MyHeritage website, and don’t forget to share your results using #MyHeritage and #LiveMemory. I’d love to hear what moments you’ve brought to life! More MyHeritage, AI, and Other Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more MyHeritage, AI in Genealogy, and other family history and genealogy resources under the MyHeritage, AI in Genealogy, Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
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 A visual summary of the top five reasons to explore your genealogy—Discovery, Preservation, Breakthroughs, Connection, and Understanding. Top 5 Reasons for GenealogyGenealogy, the study of family history and lineage, is more than just a hobby—it’s a way to connect with the past, understand the present, and preserve the future. Whether you're just starting your journey or you're an experienced researcher, there are numerous reasons why genealogy is both rewarding and valuable. Below are the top five reasons to delve into your family history, complete with detailed explanations and examples to inspire your research. 1. Discover Your Roots and Identity Understanding where you come from is fundamental to knowing who you are. Genealogy offers a deep dive into your ancestry, revealing the stories, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before you. This exploration can provide a sense of identity and belonging that connects you to your cultural and familial heritage. Example: Imagine discovering that your great-grandparents were immigrants who crossed the ocean with nothing but hope for a better future. Uncovering details about their journey, the challenges they faced, and how they adapted to a new country can give you a profound sense of pride and appreciation for their resilience. This knowledge can also enhance your understanding of cultural traditions, language, and values that have been passed down through generations. 2. Preserve Family History for Future Generations One of the most important reasons for genealogy is the preservation of family history. By documenting your research, you create a tangible legacy for future generations. This preservation ensures that the stories, experiences, and lessons of your ancestors are not lost over time. Example: Consider the impact of creating a detailed family tree, complete with photos, documents, and personal stories, that you can pass down to your children and grandchildren. This not only helps them understand their lineage but also instills a sense of pride and continuity. It's a way to keep the memories of loved ones alive, even as time moves forward. 3. Solve Family Mysteries and Break Down Brick Walls Genealogy can often resemble detective work, especially when it comes to solving long-standing family mysteries or breaking through brick walls in your research. Whether it's uncovering the true identity of a mysterious ancestor, finding out what happened to a long-lost relative, or clarifying family legends, genealogy provides the tools and methods to piece together the puzzle. Example: Imagine your family has always spoken of a distant relative who “disappeared” during the Great Depression. Through diligent research, including census records, newspaper archives, and perhaps DNA testing, you could uncover the truth—maybe this relative moved to another state, changed their name, or started a new life elsewhere. Solving such mysteries not only satisfies curiosity but also fills in important gaps in your family’s narrative. 4. Connect with Living Relatives and Build New Relationships Genealogy isn’t just about the past; it’s also about the present. Researching your family history can lead to connections with living relatives you never knew existed. These connections can be both rewarding and enriching, as they allow you to expand your family network and share research, stories, and memories. Example: Through your research, you might discover a distant cousin living in another country. Perhaps they’ve been researching the same family lines and have information or documents you haven’t yet uncovered. Reaching out to them can lead to a collaborative effort in building your family tree, and you may even develop a meaningful relationship that bridges geographical and cultural divides. 5. Gain a Better Understanding of History and Its Impact on Your Family Studying genealogy provides a personal lens through which to view history. By researching your ancestors, you can gain insights into how historical events—wars, migrations, economic depressions, and more—impacted your family. This personal connection to history can make it more relatable and meaningful. Example: If you discover that your ancestors were involved in the Civil War, you might delve into military records to understand their experiences. Learning about the battles they fought in, the conditions they endured, and the impact of the war on their lives can make history come alive in a way that goes beyond textbooks. This understanding can also provide context for the decisions and actions of your ancestors, helping you see history not just as a series of events, but as a collection of personal stories. Conclusion Genealogy is a journey of discovery, connection, and preservation. Whether you’re motivated by a desire to uncover your roots, solve family mysteries, or simply document your heritage for future generations, the rewards of genealogy are vast and deeply fulfilling. Each family has a unique story waiting to be told, and by engaging in genealogical research, you become the storyteller, ensuring that the legacy of your ancestors lives on. More Top GenealogyMore Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Bringing ancestor stories to life with AI tools and family history visuals What if your ancestors could speak to you? Not just through letters, photos, or census records—but in their own voice, telling their story in 30 seconds or less? That’s exactly what I set out to explore in a recent AI experiment: combining real ancestor research with cutting-edge (and free!) AI tools to create short, emotionally engaging ancestor videos. These clips aim to preserve and share family stories in a way that’s fast, fun, and surprisingly powerful. Whether you're looking for a new way to engage your relatives—or just want to bring your family history research to life—this technique might be just the creative spark you need. What Is the "Ancestor Voice Clip" Project?This project is part of an ongoing experiment I’m conducting to explore new, low-effort but high-impact ways of sharing family history through AI. The concept is simple: take a moment from your ancestor’s life, craft a short script in their voice, and then bring it to life with AI narration, images, and video editing tools. The result? A 30-second digital storytelling experience that can grab attention, stir emotion, and even get younger generations asking questions about their roots. Two Examples I Created▶️ Example 1: A Near-Death Experience Story: In this clip, Samuel recounts a frightening accident that nearly cost him his life. AI Tools Used:
▶️ Example 2: Returning to Butchering Story: After nearly 15 years of farming in Missouri, Samuel decided to sell his farm in 1892 and return to his original trade—meat cutting. AI Tools Used:
Why This Works
How You Can Create One Too: Step-by-StepWant to give it a try? Here’s a general workflow that you can follow: 1. Upload or Prepare Your Ancestor Profile Start with a short narrative or bullet points about your ancestor—perhaps from an existing ancestor biography or a family history summary, or just upload a PDF of your Ancestry or MyHeritage ancestor profile page. 2. Generate a 30-Second Script Use ChatGPT (or another writing assistant) to help craft a short monologue in your ancestor’s voice. Think first person—like they’re telling you a story themselves. Example Prompt: “Write a 30-second script in the voice of Samuel Steinman, who sold his Missouri farm in 1892 to return to butchering.” 3. Create a Voice Clip Use a tool like ElevenLabs (free accounts available) to generate audio from your script. You can choose from many realistic voice styles or customize your own. 4. Upload an Ancestor Image Optional, but impactful: upload a portrait or symbolic image of your ancestor to visually represent them. This helps personalize the voice clip. 5. Create Symbolic AI Images (Optional) Ask ChatGPT or another AI image platform to generate visual backdrops or symbolic scenes that reflect your ancestor’s story—like a dusty butcher shop or a Missouri farmhouse at dawn. 6. Put It All Together in Canva (or similar) Upload your audio, images, and text into a free platform like Canva to assemble the final video. Canva makes it easy to animate text, add transitions, and export the clip for social sharing. Expanding the Experiment: Two More Tests Using MyHeritageAfter the initial voice-to-story clips using ChatGPT, ElevenLabs, and Canva, I expanded the experiment by testing two more creative approaches—this time using MyHeritage’s AI features. Each of the new clips used the same short scripts and the same AI-generated ancestor photos, but each followed a slightly different path. ▶️ Test #2: Using MyHeritage DeepStory In this version, I uploaded my ancestor photos and the script into MyHeritage's DeepStory tool. DeepStory animates a still photo and adds a lifelike voice narration using its built-in AI features—no ElevenLabs needed. The result? My ancestor appears to speak directly to you, narrating his life story in his own words. It's seamless, intuitive, and very emotionally effective.
▶️ Test #3: MyHeritage LiveMemory + ElevenLabs + Canva This version used a more layered approach:
This test gave me more creative control over the voice, visual pacing, and transitions. It combined the realism of ElevenLabs with the animation capabilities of LiveMemory, all wrapped in Canva’s design tools. Why These Extra Tests MatterThese variations show that there’s no single “right way” to do this kind of storytelling. Each tool—whether ChatGPT, ElevenLabs, MyHeritage DeepStory, LiveMemory, Grok, or Canva—brings something unique to the table. You can mix and match them depending on your comfort level, creative goals, and the type of story you want to tell. Whether you want a fast, all-in-one experience (like DeepStory) or more control and polish (like combining LiveMemory with Canva), the technology is there—and much of it is free or low-cost. What This Project Is (and Isn’t)This isn’t meant to be a polished documentary or in-depth biography. It’s a bite-sized memory, intended to spark curiosity, open the door to conversations, and inspire further exploration. It’s an experiment—one I’m continuing to test, tweak, and improve with each new ancestor story. And the best part? It’s totally free (or very low-cost), accessible to beginners, and endlessly customizable. Why This Might Be the Hook Your Family NeedsIf you’ve ever struggled to get your kids, siblings, or cousins interested in family history, this might be the answer. One well-timed 30-second story—told in a familiar-sounding voice, with compelling visuals—might connect in a way that a 40-page research report never could. Whether you’re a genealogist looking to share your work more meaningfully or a curious beginner looking for a creative spark, these tools open up a new frontier for storytelling. Want to Try It? I’m Happy to Help.If you’re curious about trying this with your own ancestors, feel free to reach out or drop a comment. I’d love to share what I’ve learned—or even walk you through the process step-by-step. Together, let’s explore new ways to make our family history speak—literally. Because even a 30-second voice from the past can echo for generations. More AI and Genealogy ResourcesLearn 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. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #AncestorVoices #AIinGenealogy #ElevenLabs #ChatGPT #Canva #DigitalPreservation #CreativeGenealogy #FamilyLegacy #PreserveYourStory #AncestorStories #FreeGenealogyTools
6/8/2025 Uncovering a Legacy: African American, Native American, and Cherokee Freedmen AncestryRead Now Blended legacy: Portraits representing African American and Cherokee ancestry with the Trail of Tears in the background, honoring a powerful and complex family history Every so often, a genealogy case opens a door not only into a family’s past, but into the very heart of American history. This month, I had the privilege of working on a client case that stands out as one of the most fascinating and meaningful in my career—an extraordinary journey into ancestry that intersected African American history, Native American identity, Cherokee tribal heritage, and the legacy of slavery and survival through the Trail of Tears. As a professional genealogist, I’ve worked with African American families for many years. But this case took me into new and profound territory: tracing a lineage that included African Americans enslaved by Cherokee citizens, Cherokee Freedmen, free African Americans born well before the Civil War, “Intruders” in Indian Territory, and Cherokee ancestors themselves. One of the client’s 4th great-grandfathers, an enslaved African American, was documented as having been part of the Trail of Tears, and there may be more who were forced westward alongside him. This powerful ancestral story, woven through overlapping cultural and historical threads, became a case study in complexity, resilience, and historical truth. A Client’s Search for Her Roots Brittany approached me with a desire to know more about her paternal grandmother, who had died when her father was only about 6 years of age. With only limited information—her grandmother’s name and where she thought she was born and lived—she had struggled, like many descendants of slavery, to get past the genealogical roadblocks of the late 1800s. The 1870 census, often the earliest record available for African Americans, had always been her stopping point. Through careful research, I was able to build her tree back to her 4th great-grandparents, uncovering extraordinary stories along the way. One of the most powerful discoveries: an enslaved, by the Cherokee, African American ancestor who lived through the Trail of Tears, and another line of African American ancestors who had been free nearly a century before Emancipation. “Diane was able to locate census records, newspaper clippings/articles, Dawes Rolls records, marriage records, and death records dating back to the mid-1800s. Her research has helped me to feel empowered... I’ve never felt that before.” — Brittany Douglass, June 5, 2025 Exploring the African American & Native American Line One branch of Brittany’s ancestry told a layered and often painful story—one that included not only Cherokee Freedmen (African Americans who were formerly enslaved by Cherokee citizens and later adopted into the tribe), but also individuals classified as "Intruders" (those living in Indian Territory without tribal citizenship), enslaved African Americans, Cherokee Indians, and guardians assigned to freed people. This case required accessing and interpreting a wide variety of records related to both African American and Cherokee heritage:
The Free-at-Birth African American LineIn contrast to the complexities of tribal identity and enslavement, another branch of Brittany’s family revealed a powerful and lesser-known reality: African American ancestors who were free long before the Civil War. These families lived in North Carolina and surrounding states, owning land, engaging in community life, and navigating legal systems that continuously threatened their status. This line includes not only her direct ancestors, but also their extended networks--neighbors, guardians, church associates, and others who shared surnames or social ties. These clusters of people often served as informal safety nets, and researching them can provide the missing context needed to break through 19th-century barriers. Key records consulted included:
Two Deep-Dive Cluster Studies To build on this research, I am currently conducting two focused deep-dive studies, using cluster analysis to fully explore both lines: Study #1: African American & Cherokee Line This study includes not just the Freedmen and tribal members, but also:
This study examines:
Records and Repositories Utilized This case drew on a wide spectrum of genealogical records, archives, and online tools, including but not limited to: Record Types:
A Legacy Reclaimed This case was not just about finding records. It was about restoring stories—stories of freedom and displacement, survival and endurance, family and identity. It was about giving a modern-day descendant a tangible connection to those who came before her and showing her that her family’s legacy is not only powerful—it’s real, documented, and enduring. “Diane’s research has made me feel like I have a strong family legacy, and I’ve never felt that before.” If you’re struggling to find your roots, particularly if your ancestors were African American, Native American, or both, know this: the journey may be difficult, but your family’s story is out there. And it deserves to be found. More African Amercian GenealogyMore Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. More Genealogy Records6/1/2025 Exploring Google NotebookLM for Genealogy: An AI-Powered Research and Storytelling AssistantRead Now Exploring Google NotebookLM for Genealogy: An AI-Powered Research and Storytelling Assistant In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and genealogy, few tools have excited me recently as much as Google NotebookLM (short for “Language Model”). Designed as a powerful, AI-enhanced note-taking and research assistant, this tool is not only versatile but genuinely fun to use. Over the past few days, I’ve had the opportunity to test out its features, run multiple experiments, and explore its potential for genealogy, client work, family history storytelling, blogging, and even podcast creation. Here’s a look at what I discovered—and why this tool may quickly become one of your favorite digital companions in genealogical research. What Is Google NotebookLM? Google NotebookLM is an AI-powered notebook environment designed to help users understand, organize, and interact with their sources. It works by uploading or linking to your research materials—whether that be documents, PDFs, blog posts, URLs, or a combination of these. The AI then enables you to generate summaries, timelines, FAQs, study guides, audio overviews, and even creative outputs like presentation drafts or mind maps. You can think of it as your personal research assistant that reads, processes, and reflects back insights from the content you give it. How I Tested Google NotebookLM for Genealogy To evaluate its effectiveness for genealogical research, I created four notebooks focusing on different kinds of sources: 1. Using URLs as Sources
2. Blog-Based Notebook from a PDF
 Google NotebookLM Blog Commentary Example 3. Ancestor Profile & Research Summary PDFs
 Google NotebookLM Ancestor Research Example  Google NotebookLM Ancestor (Samuel Steinman) Research Mind Map Example 1  Google NotebookLM Ancestor (Samuel Steinman) Research Mind Map Example 1-2  Google NotebookLM Ancestor (Samuel Steinman) Research Mind Map Example 1-3  Google NotebookLM Ancestor (Samuel Steinman) Research Mind Map Example 1-4 4. Expanded Family Unit Research
What Can You Do With It? Here are some of my favorite features—and how I think genealogists can benefit from each: ✅ Generate Summaries Instantly turn long-form blog posts, research notes, or PDFs into a short and clean summary—perfect for client reports or family history write-ups. ✅ Create Study Guides This feature is ideal for genealogical lectures or self-paced learning. Upload materials related to a topic—say, U.S. Census research—and NotebookLM can produce a study guide with key concepts, takeaways, and learning objectives. ✅ Timelines Upload an ancestor profile, then generate a timeline of life events, residence changes, or historical context. Great for visualizing migration paths or summarizing a person’s life for storytelling. ✅ Briefing Documents Useful for prepping for presentations, consultations, or writing, these documents highlight the most important content in your source and synthesize it for quick reference. ✅ Mind Maps Visually organize related people, events, or themes in your research. Helpful for identifying clusters of activity, neighborhood patterns, or overlapping timelines. ✅ Source Guide Summaries & Discussions Let the AI pull out key topics, themes, and facts from a group of sources and engage with it like a thought partner—perfect for refining your analysis. ✅ Audio Overviews By far one of the most exciting features: NotebookLM can generate an audio summary of your notebook, reading out insights and highlights across your sources. You can download these as .wav files. Pro Tip: I took these audio clips and ran them through Adobe Podcast AI, which allowed me to polish them into high-quality MP3 podcast episodes. I even turned them into audigram videos (animated captioned transcripts) and posted them on YouTube using custom background images. This is a game-changer for genealogists looking to share research in accessible, engaging formats. How Genealogists Can Use NotebookLM The possibilities are vast, but here are a few practical ideas for everyday family historians and professionals:
NotebookLM: The Specs As of now, the date of this post (free version):
Final Thoughts: A Research Assistant in Your Pocket Google NotebookLM is still evolving, but its current feature set already offers an incredible amount of support for genealogical professionals, researchers, and bloggers. Whether you’re compiling research, creating content, or just trying to organize your thoughts and findings, this AI tool acts like a personalized assistant—one that reads your sources, listens to your needs, and responds with meaningful output. If you're looking to experiment with AI and haven’t yet tried NotebookLM, I highly recommend giving it a test drive. You may be surprised at how much it can enrich your research, storytelling, and creative process. Have you tried Google NotebookLM yet? What features are you most excited about—or curious to try? Let me know in the comments, and stay tuned for a follow-up post where I’ll share some real examples from my test notebooks, blog-to-podcast experiments, and ancestor research timelines! More AI and Genealogy ResourcesLearn 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.
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Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family: Family History and Genealogy BlogI hope my family history and genealogy blog on genealogy research tips, resources, events, and more, along with my own genealogy journeys, will help you in your research and in building your family tree to learn more about your ancestors and family history to preserve for future generations to come! Categories
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