Reliving Family Memories with MyHeritage’s LiveMemoryWhen it comes to family history, photographs hold incredible power. They capture moments frozen in time, allowing us to get a glimpse into the lives and stories of our loved ones. But what if those moments could come alive, offering a richer and more emotional connection to the past? That’s exactly what MyHeritage’s newest feature, LiveMemory, aims to do. This AI-driven tool breathes life into still photos, animating scenes to create short video clips that feel like stepping back in time. As an early tester, I couldn’t wait to dive in and see how it worked with some of my cherished family photos. While the results varied, the emotional impact was undeniable. Here are a few examples from my collection, along with thoughts on this exciting new feature. Bringing My Family’s Photos to Life *Note: Next to each photo, I’ve included the animated video created with MyHeritage LiveMemory so you can see the transformation in action. The results showcase the potential of this new feature to turn still moments into dynamic memories. 1. Boxing Brothers (Circa 1950) One of my favorite photos of my father and his brother captures a playful moment in their childhood. Wearing boxing gloves and sparring in the yard, the scene is full of energy and sibling camaraderie. With LiveMemory, the photo was transformed into an animated clip that reimagined the movement of their playful punches and added a dynamic, lively feel to this treasured memory. 2. Lunch Counter Vacation (Circa 1950-1951) This one shows my grandparents with my aunt as a toddler, seated on bar stools at what looks like a lunch counter during a family vacation. My grandparents’ smiles and my aunt’s curiosity shine through the still image, but with LiveMemory, the scene was reanimated with subtle movements—my aunt wriggling slightly on her stool and my grandmother gesturing mid-laugh. It was as if I’d been transported to that moment in their lives. 3. A Fountain of Laughter (Circa 1951-1952)Another treasured photo shows my father as a mischievous boy, goofing off by my great-grandmother’s front-yard fountain—a fountain notorious in the family for its ability to “christen” grandchildren who fell into it. LiveMemory turned this snapshot into a whimsical video clip, capturing the joy and silliness of my father’s antics. 4. Beachside Bliss (Circa 1972-1973) One of my most nostalgic family photos features my mother, my sister, and me at the beach. My sister and I, then six and three, were savoring ice cream cones while taking a break from playing in the sand. The LiveMemory animation brought this scene to life with happenings in the background and a touch of movement as we posed mid-lick with our cones. How did MyHeritage know that my sister was full of mischievous antics, always picking on me, haha?! 5. Coffee Shop Elegance (1981) This final photo is a personal favorite of my mom, seated at a coffee shop in an outfit that made her look like a businesswoman, even though she wasn’t. With her coffee cup in hand and an air of casual sophistication, the LiveMemory animation enhanced the scene with her chatting away, while drinking her cup of coffee. The result was subtle but deeply moving, especially since she just passed away a few years ago and I miss her deeply. The Hits and Misses of LiveMemoryLiveMemory isn’t perfect—yet. While some animations were magical, others were more humorous surprises. For example, in one animation, the AI misinterpreted my photo, replacing my father and uncle with children of a completely different ethnicity! While it was amusing, it underscored that this feature is still in its early stages. Despite these quirks, I found LiveMemory to be a compelling tool with immense potential. It’s clear that as the technology improves, the results will only get better. Why You Should Try LiveMemoryIf you’re passionate about family history, LiveMemory is a must-try. It offers a unique way to engage with your photos, sparking nostalgia and deepening your emotional connection to your ancestors. Plus, it’s a fantastic tool for sharing your family stories with others, whether at reunions, online, or in your personal genealogy projects. Here’s how to get started and try it for FREE:
Final Thoughts While LiveMemory is still a work in progress, it’s an inspiring glimpse into the future of genealogy tools. It’s a reminder of how technology can bring our family histories closer, making the past feel detailed and alive. I can’t wait to see how this feature evolves and what stories it will help us tell in the years to come. Have you tried LiveMemory yet? I’d love to hear about your experience and see your animated memories! Try It for FREEThere is currently an unspecified number of free LiveMemory trys for anyone who wants to try out this new groundbreaking feature! So, give it a try at: MyHeritage LiveMemory (app downloads available) 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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As a genealogist, I’m always looking for unique ways to connect with my ancestors and make their stories come alive. Since the beginning of this year, I have been testing out the power of AI and its many family history and genealogy transforming capabilities, bringing my research to a whole new level. Recently, I ventured into a creative experiment that blended genealogy and artificial intelligence (AI) in an unexpected way: I used AI to compose songs based on my ancestors' life stories by creating a song to honor my 2nd great-grandfather, Samuel “Sam” Steinman, with AI playing a key role in crafting this musical tribute. The Power of Storytelling Through Music Genealogy usually revolves around research—documents, records, family trees, and dates. However, it’s the stories behind those names and dates that make genealogy so meaningful. I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of finding new ways to tell those stories, whether through writing, video, or photographs. This time, I chose music to tell Samuel’s story. Samuel Steinman lived during a pivotal time in rural America, facing the challenges of a changing world while raising his family and working hard on the land. To honor him, I wanted to create something that captured the essence of his life: resilience, hard work, and the enduring bond of family. And that’s where AI came in. Using ChatGPT to Generate Song Lyrics The process started with ChatGPT, an AI language model that can generate text in various forms, including song lyrics. I copied Samuel Steinman’s ENTIRE ancestor profile page/historical timeline on Ancestry.com (use can use your ancestor profile page from MyHeritage as well), which I had carefully compiled through my research and already had plenty of details and descriptions included in the facts, and pasted the entire profile page into ChatGPT with a simple prompt: "Generate a song for my 2nd great grandfather, Samuel “Sam” Steinman using the following genealogical timeline: (pasted ENTIRE ancestor profile page)” The AI quickly generated a song that captured the spirit of Samuel’s life, using storytelling lyrics to convey the key moments of his journey. From his humble beginnings in rural America to the trials and triumphs he faced along the way, the song brought his story to life in a way that I hadn’t imagined before. Here’s a snippet of the lyrics ChatGPT produced: " A man of Ohio, born in the fall, Worked with his hands, standing tall. From butcher’s blade to family ties, Sam Steinman lived under open skies." The folk genre was the perfect fit for this project, with its storytelling approach and emotional depth. The lyrics reflected Samuel’s values and the strength he exhibited throughout his life, all while honoring his connection to the land and family. Adding Music with AI Tools Once I had the lyrics, it was time to add music. I used AI music generators like AI Music Factory and Suno to create instrumental backing tracks and produce a complete song, including voice. These platforms allow you to input lyrics or choose a musical style, and they generate a backing track that complements the mood and tone of the song. With AI Music Factory, I was able to manually give directions to use a folk-inspired arrangement that included acoustic guitar, soft percussion, and a harmonica to echo the rural American setting of Samuel’s life, which ChatGPT generated. Suno, on the other hand, gave me a bit more of a modern take on the folk-inspired genre, blending traditional elements with subtle electronic enhancements to add depth to the song. Each version offered a different, yet powerful, interpretation of Samuel’s story. Why Use AI to Create Family History Songs? This experiment was not just about making music—it was about finding a new way to preserve and share family stories. AI offers a range of possibilities for genealogists who want to explore creative storytelling methods beyond the traditional family tree. Whether it’s generating lyrics, composing a soundtrack, or even creating visuals to accompany a family history, AI opens doors to new forms of expression. If you're looking to try this approach in your own research, here’s a step-by-step outline of how I brought Samuel Steinman’s story to life through AI-generated music: 1. Compile a Complete Historical Timeline Start by gathering all the key events, locations, and personal details to add to your ancestor’s profile—just as I did with Samuel’s profile on Ancestry.com. Make sure you include important milestones, emotional moments, and any themes that resonate with your ancestor’s story. 2. Use ChatGPT to Generate Lyrics Once you have a complete timeline, paste the ENTIRE ancestor profile page, in one swoop, into ChatGPT with a specific prompt. For example, you might request lyrics in a particular genre, tone, or mood that reflects your ancestor’s life. This customization can help tailor the song to the unique essence of the person you’re honoring, but ChatGPT will also generate it for you automatically, based on your ancestor timeline/facts and details, so there is really no need. 3. Choose AI Music Generators for Backing Tracks After the lyrics and composition are complete, try using AI tools like AI Music Factory or Suno to create the instrumental backing track, and even voice. You can select the genre, mood, and instruments that best complement your ancestor’s story, or you can just free text what ChatGPT turned out for you. Experiment with different platforms to see what kind of soundscape works best. 4. Combine the Elements Finally, merge the lyrics, by pasting what ChatGPT gave you, and backing track to complete the song. You can also adjust the vocals or try different arrangements to refine the final product. The Final Result The songs I created for Samuel Steinman were more than just music—they were an emotional tribute to a man whose life shaped my family’s history. Each version of the song, whether created through AI Music Factory or Suno, brought Samuel’s story to life in a way that words alone could not. Check out the different outcomes using the same ChatGPT response!
Whether you’re a genealogist like me or simply someone who wants to honor a loved one’s memory, AI offers endless possibilities for creative expression. Through this project, I’ve discovered a new way to use AI in family history and genealogy and keep an ancestor’s legacy alive, and I encourage others to explore how technology can help us tell the stories of the past in innovative ways. What do you think? Have you tried using AI to create family history songs, or do you have another creative method to share your ancestor’s story? Let me know in the comments! © 2024 Diane Henriks @ Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family About the AuthorI'm Diane Henriks, a professional genealogist with a passion for preserving family histories through creative methods. Whether through writing, music, or digital media, I strive to make each ancestor’s story come alive. I have experience in a variety of genealogical research areas, including expertise in unknown parentage, brick walls, DNA testing, descendant research, and living people search. 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.
Transcribe and analyze your ancestors' obituaries easily and flawlessly, even creating biographies from them, to enhance your family history! I am still in the process of testing out and using various AI platforms for different tasks, as some work out for certain tasks better than others, in my genealogical world. I recently tested out obituary transcriptions in the new FREE version of ChatGPT-4o to see the difference between the ones I had done in Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini a few months ago, in which you can check out those results in “AI in Genealogy: Copilot and Gemini OCR for Obituary Transcriptions and Analysis!”. Copilot was not that great with the task, and Gemini totally failed the task. Until ChatGPT-4o came out just a couple of weeks ago, you could not upload images with the free version at that time, ChatGPT 3.5. Keep in mind that as of this post, there is a significant limit in uploads in the free version of ChatGPT-4o, depending on peak times, etc., and will vary. When I tested this feature within the first few days it became available, I was only able to upload 3 photos for descriptions, then my limit was reached. I was in “limit jail” for 3 days until I could use the upload feature again. Check out the results below for transcribing obituaries with the free version of ChatGPT-4o, giving you yet another way to use AI in genealogy! Results of ChatGPT-4o Ancestor Obituary Transcriptions and AnalysisIn the following examples below, I had used one of the obituaries (he had a few) for my 2nd great grandfather, Samuel Steinman. I prompted it for a description, transcription, and analysis, without including the type of document to see if it could describe what kind of document it was. *Note: Click on images to zoom in ChatGPT-4o AI-Powered Obituary Transcriptions and analysis in Genealogy- ExampleThe only prompt I had used for this was “Describe, transcribe, and analyze this genealogical document for my 2nd great grandfather, Samuel Steinman completely”, in which it churned out fantastic results! There was only one very minor error in the transcription- it left out the word two, and 1 small error in the analysis- stating his daughter and brothers were by his side in his final hours, but it was his daughter, sons, and one brother. Other than that, I’d say this transcription was close to perfect, even down to all the grammar errors in the obituary! ChatGPT-4o AI-Powered Ancestor Death Date Calculator in Genealogy- ExampleSince it did not provide a date of death in the analysis, which I’m surprised it didn’t automatically calculate it, because there was no date of death in the obituary, I decided to ask it to calculate that with the prompt “Determine the date of death from the information that was provided in the document that include his birth date and how old he was when he died”. It was able to calculate it, and give it’s reasoning, and it was spot on! ChatGPT-4o AI-Generated Ancestor Biography from Obituaries in Genealogy- ExampleI then decided to test if it could write a decent ancestor biography just from an obituary, with the prompt “Can you generate a biography from the information in this document”, in which again it churned out fantastic results! Compare the Results to the Free Versions of Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini Try FREE ChatGPT 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.
Describe and analyze your historical photos, easily, to enhance your family history! I am still in the process of testing out and using various AI platforms for different tasks, as some work out for certain tasks better than others, in my genealogical world. I recently tested out photo descriptions in the new FREE version of ChatGPT-4o to see the difference between the ones I had done in Microsoft Copilot a few months ago, in which you can check out those results in “AI in Genealogy: Microsoft Copilot for Historical Photos!”. Until ChatGPT-4o came out just a couple of weeks ago, you could not upload images with the free version at that time, ChatGPT 3.5. Keep in mind that as of this post, there is a significant limit in uploads in the free version of ChatGPT-4o, depending on peak times, etc., and will vary. When I tested this feature within the first few days it became available, I was only able to upload 3 photos for descriptions, then my limit was reached. I was in “limit jail” for 3 days until I could use the upload feature again. Check out the fantastic results below for describing photos with the free version of ChatGPT-4o, giving you yet another way to use AI in genealogy! Results of ChatGPT-4o Historical Photo Descriptions In the following examples below, I had used photos concerning my 2nd great grandfather to test this free feature. *Note: Click on images to zoom in ChatGPT-4o AI Historical Photo Descriptions in Genealogy- Example 1The only prompt I had used for this was “Describe this photo in detail”, in which it churned out fantastic results! ChatGPT-4o AI Historical Photo Descriptions in Genealogy- Example 2Once again, the only prompt I had used for this was “Describe this photo in detail”, in which it again churned out fantastic results! ChatGPT-4o AI Historical Photo Descriptions in Genealogy- Example 3 Yet again, the only prompt I had used for this was “Describe this photo in detail”, in which again it churned out fantastic results, with nothing other than a simple prompt! ChatGPT-4o AI Historical Photo Descriptions in Genealogy- Example 4 For this example, I decided to create a second prompt to help ChatGPT out with the family member description and time period it had churned out for the last example. I provided names, along with the time it was taken and where, thus making it more personal and adding context to enhance my ancestor’s family photo and family history. The prompt I used for this was: This photo was taken in Albany, Missouri 1894 and includes my 2nd great grandparents: Samuel and Mary Harriet Steinman and their children from eldest to youngest: Ralph Waldo, Lillie Ethel, Edmond Cole (my great grandfather), and Arthur Olander. Compare the Results to the Free Version of Microsoft Copilot Try ChatGPT for Free 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.
Yes, there is a way to copy and save your DNA match list, easily! I am still in the process of testing out and using various AI platforms for different tasks, as some work out for certain tasks better than others, in my genealogical world. I recently tested out copying and pasting my DNA match list into the FREE version of ChatGPT to see if it would be an easy way to retain and save my matches and notes. Check out the results below for using AI to save your match lists, giving you yet another way to use AI in genealogy! Steps to Copy and Save Your DNA Match List with ChatGPT
Results of ChatGPT Retained DNA Match List and Notes*Note: Click on images to zoom in More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
I am still in the process of testing out and using various AI platforms for different tasks, as some work out for certain tasks better than others, in my genealogical world. I recently tested out generating transcriptions, extracts, and abstracts, using OCR and HTR for historical documents, from my family history, in Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. My preferred platform is ChatGPT, but I need to use Copilot and Gemini for images, if I want to go about it the free way. So far, I have tested out historical photos, which you can check out in, "AI in Genealogy: Microsoft Copilot for Historical Photo Descriptions!", transcribing obituaries, which you can read about in, "AI in Genealogy: Copilot and Gemini OCR for Obituary Transcriptions and Anaysis!", and parish records, that you'll find for information about in, "AI & Genealogy: Gemini HTR for Parish Record Transcription and Analysis!". Some will not work in Copilot but work in Gemini and Vice Versa, while some just don’t work at all. Some also turn out better than others, while some just make me laugh. It’s a hit and miss. Of course, nothing is perfect, but I’m sure it will get better as time goes by. Check out a few of the results below for using AI to transcribe and/or analyze genealogical records, such as death certificates, and see how you can use AI in your genealogy! Death Certificate Transcribed with Google Gemini Below is an example of a Gemini Transcription, using OCR and HTR, of my 2nd great grandfather’s death certificate. I’d say it did pretty darn well, with only a few hiccups, highlighted in yellow. Take a look! *Note: If you click on the images, it zooms in. 😉 I know, not very useful at this point in time, but just think of the OCR and HTR capabilities that will be here in the very near future, making all of our genealogical work a breeze, with endless possibilities! 😉 More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
The Free Google Gemini AI Platform performs a good attempt at handwritten text recognition and analysis in genealogical documents, such as parish records! I have been testing and using AI for many things in my genealogical world this past year, along with testing out and using various AI platforms for different tasks, as some work out for certain tasks better than others. I recently tested out generating transcriptions, extracts, and abstracts, using HTR for historical documents, from my family history, in Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. Some will not work in Copilot but work in Gemini and Vice Versa, while some just don’t work at all. Some also turn out better than others, while some just make me laugh. It’s a hit and miss. Of course, nothing is perfect, but I’m sure it will get better as time goes by. OCR is much better than HTR, such as in newspaper articles, which you can read more about in "AI in Genealogy: Copilot and Gemini OCR for Obituary Transcriptions and Analysis!". Check out a few of the results below for using AI to transcribe and/or analyze parish records and see how you can use AI in your genealogy! Google Gemini AI-Powered HTR Parish Record Transcription and Analysis TestsNot very useful, but I just wanted to test out HTR capabilities with free AI platforms. 😉 More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
Explore Ancestry's Records with AI!Ancestry has just come out with a new AI records feature, a few days ago, that allows you to further explore your ancestor’s records, using AI technology, that further enhances your family history experience! Records Available with This Feature (For Now)
How to Get to Ancestry's AI Record Explorer
Currently in BETA ModeThis feature is new and currently in BETA mode, and they have already changed the results that are churned out quite a few times already. The moment this feature popped up, while working on a client’s case, I quickly checked it out on a possible record I was already in the process of viewing, when it just all of the sudden appeared before my eyes. The first AI record exploration I tried had extremely flowery language and made me laugh. It also seemed to add a lot of context that was not based on facts. I quickly went to my own tree and tried it out on a few of my own ancestor’s records. Within minutes, the tone and mood of the results had changed, along with it sticking more to the facts, with context slightly truer to the facts. As of today, it has now changed to pretty much just straight facts, without much of a tone or mood of any kind. I prefer the second change, with a little context and slight tone and mood. Check out the examples below! Update: Within minutes after I gave the “as of today” above, it has changed again. So, I guess you’ll never know what you will get, until they work out all the kinks. 😉 Ancestry AI Record Explorer with WW II DraftAncestry AI Record Explorer with Census RecordAs you can see, from these 4 different versions generated, each at different times, since release, the output keeps changing, but I'm sure they'll find a perfect balance. This is a fantastic, fun addition, and I hope to eventually be able to explore more records with this AI feature! More Ancestry and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
Are you using AI to help generate transcriptions, extracts, or abstracts for and/or understand your genealogical documents? I have been testing and using AI for many things in my genealogical world this past year. I have tested out and used various AI platforms for different tasks, as some work out for certain tasks better than others. I recently tested out generating transcriptions and using OCR for historical documents, from my family history, in Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. Some turned out better than others. It’s a hit and miss. Of course, nothing is perfect, but I’m sure it will get better as time goes by. Check out a few of the results below for using AI to transcribe and/or analyze obituaries and see how you can use AI in your genealogy! Microsoft Copilot AI-Powered OCR Obituary Transcription and Analysis Test- Example (Try #1)Here is an example using AI-Powered OCR for transcription and analysis of an obituary for my 2nd great grandfather, Samuel Steinman. It turned out pretty good, I'd say! Google Gemini AI-Powered OCR Obituary Transcription and Analysis Test- Example (Multiple Tries)After multiple attempts, with different prompts, Google Gemini was unable to use AI-Powered OCR for transcription and analysis of the same obituary for my 2nd great grandfather, Samuel Steinman. I tried the same prompt as above, just simply "Transcribe", simply "What is this?", and more, to no avail. Now, don't think for a moment that Google Gemini is of no use. As I mentioned, I use a combination of different platforms depending on the task, and Google Gemini performs much better in other tasks. More coming soon. More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
FamilySearch has just added new, experimental products to the FamilySearch Labs, with many using AI! One of these new features is a historical record full-text search, powered by AI, where you may unearth hidden discoveries in historical records that have never been searchable until now! As of now, there are only 2 collections included in the experimental FamilySearch Labs for this feature, U.S. Land and Probate Records and Mexico Notary Records, with more being added soon! Not only does it generate a full-text search, but it also gives you a full transcript, which is downloadable, with the original record! Check out an example below! FamilySearch Full-Text Record SearchFamilySearch Full-Text Record Search & Full Record TranscriptFamilySearch Full-Text Search Record Transcript DownloadIf you’d like to try out this or any other experimental features, you must sign up first at: FamilySearch Labs More FamilySearch and other Genealogy ResourcesLearn about other FamilySearch updates and features, along with more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
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