 Testing AI Photo Animations: Which Style Brings Ancestors to Life Best? Over the last few years, short-form video has become one of the most effective ways to draw in family members who don’t normally engage with genealogy. Quick, visually interesting clips can spark curiosity in relatives who might scroll past a long family history write-up—but will happily stop for a short animation or video. With this in mind, I’ve been exploring how AI tools can help create brief, eye-catching “animated shorts” featuring ancestors from my own family tree. For this round of testing, I used an animated version of my 2nd great-grandfather, Samuel Steinman. About six months ago, I generated a stylized animated image of Samuel using ChatGPT, based on my original photograph of him. Because realistic animation of historical individuals can be easily misunderstood, I intentionally focused on tools that produce clearly stylized, cartoon-like results. The goal is to entertain, not to mislead. To see how different platforms handle animation and movement, I ran Samuel’s two different styles of animated portraits through three major AI tools: 1. MyHeritage MyHeritage continues to be one of the most accessible platforms for genealogy-friendly imagery and animations. Their tools for movement, facial expression, and video enhancement are extremely user-friendly and tend to produce smooth, subtle animations.
2. Meta AI Meta’s tools offer a modern, slightly more animated feel—sometimes more dynamic, sometimes a bit bolder. Their animations often introduce movement in the background or in facial expressions, which can add energy to a short clip.
3. Grok Grok’s animation style leans more heavily into artistic interpretation. Depending on the prompt and output, the results can feel more stylized, bold, or cartoon-inspired, making it an interesting contrast to the other two platforms, while also automatically adding sound.
Comparing the Styles: Subtle, Animated, and Full Cartoon To make this a meaningful test, I created three slightly different versions of Samuel’s animated portrait—each one with a distinct level of stylization:
Why These Experiments Matter for Family History Family history can be deeply meaningful, but not everyone feels naturally drawn to written research summaries or long narratives. Quick, animated shorts offer a different kind of entry point—something fun, visual, and accessible. When a relative recognizes a face, even a stylized one, it opens the door to conversations, stories, and deeper engagement. At the same time, it’s important to be clear that these animations are creative interpretations, not authentic representations. That’s why the cartoon-style versions are so valuable: they help ensure viewers understand that these clips are playful and imaginative, not historical reconstructions. Your Turn: Which One Should I Use? To make this experiment even more engaging, I shared these versions on social media, a few months ago, and asked viewers to vote on their favorite style. Seeing how others respond—especially relatives who aren’t typically invested in family history—helps me understand what resonates most. Each version offers something unique, and I’ll continue exploring how these tools can be used responsibly and creatively in family history storytelling. If you’ve tried any of these platforms, or if you’ve experimented with animated ancestor videos yourself, I’d love to hear what worked (and what didn’t!) for you. More tests coming soon—Samuel is becoming quite the animated star. More AI Tools, Features, and ResourcesLearn about more AI in Genealogy tools and features that can be used in your family history and genealogy under the AI in Genealogy category, and find more of my AI Genealogy Animation experiments on my YouTube Channel. More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
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12/28/2025 Combining Google NotebookLM’s Slide Deck with Google Slides and Google Vids: A Fast, Powerful New Workflow for GenealogistsRead Now Combining Google NotebookLM’s Slide Deck with Google Slides and Google Vids: A Fast, Powerful New Workflow for Genealogists Every once in a while, a new tech discovery comes along that changes the way we share our family history—instantly, unexpectedly, and in the best way possible. The day the Slide Deck feature came out was one of those days. Google NotebookLM quietly rolled out two new features: Infographic and Slide Deck. After spending most of that morning testing them (using my 2nd great-grandfather, Samuel Steinman, as my official “AI ancestor tester”), I was already impressed with what they could produce. Then, something even more exciting happened: I discovered a simple workflow that turns those auto-generated Slide Decks into fully narrated videos within minutes—and all for free. This combination of tools opens a brand-new door for genealogists who want to share family histories creatively, quickly, and beautifully. Here’s how it works. Step 1: Generate a Slide Deck in Google NotebookLM The new Slide Deck option in NotebookLM creates a clean, nicely structured presentation directly from your notebook content. In my test case, I used a notebook full of research notes and analysis on my 2nd great-grandfather, Samuel Steinman, and the resulting deck provided:
 NotebookLM to Instant Videos with Vids, Example 1 Step 2: Save Each Slide's PNG for FlexibilityTo make the slides editable and usable across multiple platforms, I saved each slide of the slide deck's PNG images (you can also save each slide of the PDF as an individual PNG image). This only takes a moment, and once done, you’re free to:
 NotebookLM to Instant Videos with Vids- PDF or PNGs Download the PDF of the slide deck and convert them to images, or expand the slide deck and save each PNG image from the slide deck itself, as seen above and below.  NotebookLM to Instant Videos with Vids- Expanded Slide Deck View Step 3: Import the PNG Slides into Google Slides Once the images were ready, I uploaded them into a blank Google Slides presentation—one image per slide. This creates a clean, ready-to-use slide show version of your NotebookLM Slide Deck. This step is fast, and it sets up the real magic that follows.  NotebookLM to Instant Videos with Vids- Importing NLM Slide Decks to Google Slides Step 4: Pull Your Google Slides into Google Vids This is the part that surprised me. Google Vids now allows you to import your Google Slides directly—and once you do, it automatically builds a complete narrated video from your slides in a matter of seconds. The results include:
In under a minute, my Slide Deck on Samuel Steinman transformed into a polished ancestor video—without any editing, recording, or design work on my end.  NotebookLM to Instant Videos with Vids- Coverting NLM Slide Decks in Google Vids  NotebookLM to Instant Videos with Vids- Outcome of Google Vids Automatically Coverting Google Slides NotebookLM to Instant Videos with Vids- Final Video Product Why This Workflow Is a Game-Changer for Genealogy This simple chain--NotebookLM Slide Deck → PNG Slides → Google Slides → Google Vids—opens a fast, low-effort way to produce beautiful, engaging family history content. Genealogists can now create:
For professionals, it can add a polished, optional supplement to project deliverables (with a note about citation limitations, of course). For hobbyists, it makes sharing family stories with relatives easier and more exciting than ever. Final Thoughts That day of discovery felt like stumbling into an entire new genealogy storytelling toolset. The automation, speed, and quality make this workflow truly stand out—and I can already see endless uses for it in family history work. If you haven’t explored these new features yet, I highly recommend giving them a try. The possibilities are incredible, and you may find, like I did, that a simple test becomes an entirely new way of bringing your ancestors to life. More AI VideosMore AI and GenealogyLearn about more AI in Genealogy updates, tips, and resources, along with other family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and Genealogy Resources categories and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #AIinGenealogy #GoogleNotebookLM #GenealogyTech #GenealogyTools #GenealogyInnovation
12/7/2025 Exploring Google NotebookLM’s New Infographic and Slide Deck Features for GenealogyRead Now  Exploring Google NotebookLM’s New Infographic and Slide Deck Features for Genealogy Google NotebookLM has been rolling out new tools rapidly over the past year, but a couple of weeks ago brought one of the most exciting updates yet: two brand-new features designed to turn your research into highly engaging visuals--Infographic and Slide Deck. These were not available even a day before when I generated a family history narrative for a client. Naturally, I had to test them right away. To get a clear picture of what these tools can do, I used my long-running Steinman Family Notebook. This notebook focuses on my second great-grandfather, Samuel Steinman, his wife, their children, and brief notes on early descendants. It includes research, notes, sources, timelines, context, and more, and I have used it as my controlled “tester ancestor” since last May to evaluate various AI features. These two new tools did not disappoint. In fact, they may be the most exciting additions to NotebookLM so far—especially for those of us who want to make family history more accessible and appealing to relatives who tend to “glaze over” when reading long narratives. The Infographic Feature: A Family Story in One Visual The new Infographic feature generated a clean, concise, and eye-catching summary of the Steinman family. It captured the major life events, relationships, and themes in a single, well-organized layout. What stood out most was how accurately it distilled the family’s history. In one view, it presented key milestones, family dynamics, and important historical context—exactly the kind of visual summary that can help non-genealogists understand a family story in seconds. There were two small hiccups worth noting:
These minor inconsistencies didn’t detract from the overall usefulness of the infographic. For quick summaries, family sharing, or visual storytelling, this new feature is incredibly promising.  The Steinman Family American Story- NotebookLM Infographic Day 1 Test, November 22, 2025 The Slide Deck Feature: A Full Visual Presentation of Family History Next, I tested the brand-new Slide Deck feature. This one truly impressed me. NotebookLM automatically created a multi-slide presentation--15 slides in total—based on the Steinman Notebook. Each slide focused on a different piece of the family’s story, turning the narrative into an easy-to-follow visual journey. The slides included:
Each slide felt like a standalone infographic, which made the entire deck engaging and easy to read. I could immediately imagine relatives finally showing interest because of how approachable and visual this format is. There was only one noticeable hiccup: one slide stated that all five children survived to adulthood while also noting that one child died in infancy. A simple contradiction, but the only one across the entire deck. Even so, the overall quality was excellent. This feature has incredible potential for storytellers, genealogists, family historians, and anyone trying to present complicated information in a way people will actually want to look at. Why These New Tools Are Game-Changers for Genealogy Both of these features point toward an emerging trend: AI tools are becoming more visually oriented and more capable of transforming dense research into formats that connect with modern readers. For genealogists, this means:
Best of all, these tools work instantly, and they draw on the information already in your NotebookLM collections. That means you can generate multiple visual formats from the same research without starting from scratch. As more families lean toward quick, visual content, these features offer a meaningful way to bridge the gap between our research and the people we want to reach. More AI and Genealogy Learn about more AI in Genealogy updates, tips, and resources, along with other family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and Genealogy Resources categories and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #AIinGenealogy #GoogleNotebookLM #GenealogyTech #GenealogyTools #GenealogyInnovation
 Testing Google NotebookLM’s new AI video feature for family history and ancestor storytelling If you read my earlier blog post on Google NotebookLM for Genealogy, you know how impressed I was with its ability to organize research, create summaries, generate timelines, and even produce audio overviews and podcasts from uploaded research, notes, sources, and more. Well, there’s an exciting new update that takes things a step further—and it’s one genealogists are going to love. Google NotebookLM has recently introduced a video generation feature, and I had the chance to test it out quite a few weeks ago. The result? A surprisingly powerful and creative new way to share your research and tell your ancestors’ stories. What’s New: Video Creation in Google NotebookLM NotebookLM’s latest feature allows users to automatically generate videos from the materials within their notebooks. Using your uploaded content—whether that’s family history notes, ancestor profiles, research summaries, or even blog posts—the AI can now create visually engaging, narrated videos that summarize and bring your work to life. You can upload:
Once your sources are uploaded, the AI processes your uploaded content and crafts a dynamic video complete with text narration, visuals, and effortless transitions. You can customize the tone and style, edit the output, or even download and refine it further in your preferred video editor. My Test Projects To see what it could really do, I tested the feature using two of my existing projects—both of which I had already created while exploring NotebookLM’s earlier capabilities. 1. The Life and Times of Samuel Steinman You may recognize this one from my previous blog—Samuel Steinman, my 2nd great-grandfather, is my official AI ancestor tester! This project already contained a rich mix of uploaded materials, including:
2. African American and Native American Research (Client Case) For a second test, I used an existing client project notebook that focused on a dual-heritage case study. Instead of starting from scratch, I simply uploaded my case notes, ancestor profiles (with tons of facts, details, and sources), and a blog post on that case into the notebook. NotebookLM used it to generate a compelling video titled “A Grandmother’s History,” highlighting key moments from the research in an accessible and visual format. The end result showed real potential for client work, offering a fresh and engaging way to share discoveries beyond the traditional written report. Why This Feature Is a Game-Changer for Genealogists The new video generation tool isn’t just fun to experiment with—it’s genuinely useful for a range of genealogical purposes: 🎞️ 1. Storytelling Made Easy Turn your ancestors’ research files, notes, and timelines into short, captivating videos. Perfect for family reunions, online sharing, or preservation projects. 🗂️ 2. Project Summaries Quickly create visual summaries of client research or ongoing projects to share progress or updates in a professional, creative format. 🎙️ 3. Companion to Audio Overviews Pair NotebookLM’s existing audio overview feature with the new video output to create both podcast and video versions of your work—ideal for multi-format storytelling. 🧬 4. Educational and Presentation Uses For genealogical educators and speakers, this feature offers new ways to present case studies or historical examples in a visual and engaging way, possibly using them for video blogs. 👩💻 5. Enhanced Family History Sharing Not everyone wants to read a 20-page narrative or research report. With these videos, you can share your family stories with relatives in a format they’ll actually watch and enjoy. Creative Possibilities for the Future The ability to turn your compiled notes, research, and documents into a video has tremendous potential for genealogists, educators, and storytellers. You could:
Final Thoughts Testing this new feature was a lot of fun. Seeing my ancestor Samuel Steinman’s story transformed into “The Steinman Family” video—and my client’s “A Grandmother’s History” brought to life—was incredibly rewarding. It’s one thing to read an ancestor’s timeline; it’s another to watch it unfold before your eyes, told in a narrative voice, backed by visuals that highlight the journey of discovery. This new video capability opens up endless creative possibilities for genealogists, family historians, and educators alike. Whether you’re preserving stories for your family, creating educational materials, or experimenting with AI-powered storytelling, Google NotebookLM is quickly becoming one of the most innovative tools available to us. Have you tried creating videos with NotebookLM yet? I’d love to hear how you’re using it in your own research or storytelling! More AI VideosSee more AI video testers and examples on my YouTube channel. More AI and Genealogy Learn about more AI in Genealogy updates, tips, and resources, along with other family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and Genealogy Resources categories and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #AIinGenealogy #GoogleNotebookLM #GenealogyVideos #GenealogyTech #GenealogyTools #GenealogyInnovation
 Using Google NotebookLM’s report features to enhance genealogy work Have you explored Google’s NotebookLM lately? If not, you’re in for a surprise. In just a few short months, it has rolled out a ton of new features — including something that immediately caught my eye: Reports. These preset, research-based templates automatically generate summaries, narratives, and even biographical sketches directly from your uploaded materials. Naturally, I had to see what it could do for genealogy research. Testing the New Report Formats When I opened NotebookLM to test out the new video overview feature, I noticed the addition of a Report section — something that wasn’t there the last time I explored it back in May and June. The new section offers several preset report themes (you can also choose Custom and input your own prompt), each already built with a distinct writing style and purpose. What’s especially interesting is that NotebookLM doesn’t just create a format — it actually chooses the topic based on the content you’ve uploaded. The first option I tested was the Historical Narrative Report, which automatically selected my great-grandparents, Cora Alice Taylor and Edmond Cole Steinman, as the focus. The result was a detailed six-page narrative that wove together years of research into a cohesive story — complete with historical context and biographical highlights. While the tone wasn’t exactly my own (a bit more academic and formal than my typical writing), it did an excellent job organizing, summarizing, and connecting information. It’s impressive to see AI pull together genealogical data into a complete, research-based family narrative.
Personal Story and Biographical Sketch Reports Next, I tried the Personal Story report option. This one, again automatically generated, chose my great-grandmother as the subject. The focus shifted to her personal journey and experiences, rather than the couple’s shared life. Then came the Biographical Sketch format, which NotebookLM titled “A Research-Based Biographical Sketch of the Taylor and Steinman Families.” This one took a broader approach — summarizing key facts and life events across multiple generations. It was almost like a “family summary report,” offering a high-level overview of several branches at once. Each of these formats demonstrated NotebookLM’s growing ability to interpret, organize, and write from complex genealogical notes, timelines, and records. Creating Custom Reports One of the most exciting additions is the “Create Your Own” option. This feature lets users design their own report from scratch or modify an existing preset. To test it, I copied the automatically generated text from the Historical Narrative report and repurposed it using my own chosen couples — my 2nd great-grandparents and my 3rd great-grandparents. NotebookLM successfully reshaped the text to fit the new subjects while maintaining the same structure and flow. This custom feature is especially useful for genealogists who prefer to keep their own tone and perspective while still using AI as a framework to organize their material. More Report Types (and What’s Coming Next) Along with the Historical Narrative, Personal Story, Biographical Sketch, and Create Your Own options, there are several other preset reports. Some are reimagined versions of older features that used to stand alone but are now neatly grouped under the Report category. One that particularly caught my attention — and that I plan to test next — is the “Blog” report option. This format could be a real time-saver for genealogists who write family stories, project updates, or research summaries online. If the existing report types are any indication, it could be a useful draft generator for writers who want to spend more time polishing than structuring. Final Thoughts The new Report options in Google NotebookLM is another leap forward for AI-assisted genealogy writing. These tools don’t just summarize data — they organize it, interpret it, and transform it into readable family narratives in minutes. Of course, while AI can’t replicate the unique storytelling voice or emotion genealogists can bring to their writing, it’s becoming an incredibly valuable assistant for structuring and streamlining the process. I’ll be diving deeper into the Blog report format next and sharing how genealogists can use it to make writing family histories faster and easier — without sacrificing the personal touch. Stay tuned! 💬 Have you tested out the new NotebookLM Report options yet? I’d love to hear your impressions and how you’re using AI in your genealogy writing. More AI and GenealogyLearn about more AI in Genealogy updates, tips, and resources, along with other family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and Genealogy Resources categories and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #AIinGenealogy #GoogleNotebookLM #GenealogyWriting #GenealogyTech #GenealogyTools #GenealogyInnovation
11/2/2025 Immersive Genealogy with ChatGPT-5: Turning Research into “A Day in the Life” StoriesRead Now  Bringing ancestor research to life with immersive storytelling, with the help of ChatGPT and AI Genealogical research can give us the facts about an ancestor’s life—but those facts alone don’t always help readers picture the world they lived in. That’s where immersive storytelling can make history feel alive. For my research on Samuel Steinman (1855–1925), my official AI tester ancestor, I tested ChatGPT-5’s ability to take verified facts and create short narrative scenes imagining what an ordinary day in his life might have been like. Then, I paired each scene with a historical context blurb so whoever is reading enjoys both the immersive moment and the educational background. 1) A Day in the Life ScenesWhat they are: Short, stand-alone portraits that place the reader right beside the ancestor in a specific time and place. These aren’t fictional in the sense of “made-up events”—they’re built from factual research (your research) about where the ancestor was, what they were doing, and what their environment was like. Example: Albany, Missouri, Spring 1910 — Samuel’s hands worked quickly, trimming the fat from a slab of beef as the morning rush began at the market. The wooden counter smelled faintly of sawdust from the day before, and the bell over the door jingled with each new customer. He glanced out the window toward the dusty street, thinking of Hattie tending the garden back home. Why I use them:
How GPT-5 helped:
2) Historical Context Blurbs What they are: Brief factual side notes that explain the real-world background to each scene—placed directly after the short narratives so they feel connected, not like an appendix. Example paired with the above scene: Historical Context – Butchering in Missouri, 1910 In the early 20th century, local butchers were central to small-town economies. Shops often relied on deliveries from nearby farms, and refrigeration was limited to iceboxes. Skilled butchering meant not just cutting meat but also advising customers on the best cuts for stews, roasts, or Sunday dinners. Why I use them:
How GPT-5 helped:
3) Pairing Scenes and Context for Maximum ImpactWhen paired, the scene and context work together like this:
This approach creates a “Life in Scenes” section that’s especially engaging for books and blogs because it blends the emotional connection of narrative with the reliability of factual context. A Day in the Life Scenes ExampleThis is any example of one, of many, A Day in the Life Scenes of Samuel Steinman. *Click to zoom in
What GPT-5 Did Better (vs. earlier ChatGPT)
(Could older ChatGPT do this?) Yes--GPT-4 could write both scenes and context notes, but GPT-5 reduced the amount of rewriting I needed to align them in tone and detail. Practical Tips (if you want to replicate this)
PromptAnd because many seem to ask; although, it is no longer necessary to craft the perfect prompt, here is a prompt you can utilize to generate this: Prompt: Write a detailed “Day in the Life” story for [full name] in [year or period], based on the following known facts: [insert facts/research notes, etc. here—location, occupation, events, family, etc.]. Use historically accurate details about the time period, location, and occupation to make the scene vivid. Blend the documented facts with realistic daily activities for that era, but avoid adding major fictional events. Keep the tone immersive and narrative, as if the reader is experiencing the day alongside the person. Include sensory details (sounds, smells, sights) and interactions with family or community. 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 categories and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
9/28/2025 Timeline Storytelling for Genealogy: Three Ways ChatGPT-5 Structures an Ancestor’s LifeRead Now  ChatGPT-5 creates a variety of flawless timelines to structure ancestral lives When writing family history, a plain list of dates can feel boring—but a fully written biography can sometimes totally overwhelm those reading who just want the key events. The perfect balance usually lies somewhere in between. For my research on Samuel Steinman (1855–1925), my official AI tester ancestor, I tested how ChatGPT-5 could reshape the same life story into three timeline-based formats:
1) Side-by-Side Timeline + Narrative Hybrid What it is: A clean two-column layout where the left column lists the dates and places, while the right column contains a short narrative for each event. Those reading can scan dates at a glance or read the story in order. Why I use it:
*Click to view
2) Timeline + Narrative Hybrid with Historical Side NotesWhat it is: Same date-and-narrative format as above, but with an added short historical blurb next to certain entries—just enough to help those reading understand what was happening in the wider world. Example: (Date/Narrative) 1860 – The Steinman family was living in Hancock County, Ohio, as farmers. (Historical Note) In 1860, Ohio farmers relied heavily on horse-drawn plows, and corn was the dominant crop in the region. Why I use it:
*Click to view
3) Ready-to-Use Book Page Version of Hybrid TimelineWhat it is: A fully formatted page that’s print-ready for a family history book. This isn’t just about text—it’s about layout, pacing, and visual flow. GPT-5 produced a version with:
*Click to view
What GPT-5 Did Better (vs. earlier ChatGPT) Older versions could produce timelines and narratives, but:
Yes--GPT-4 could produce timelines and add historical notes, but GPT-5 reduces the amount of post-editing, keeps formatting consistent across large sections, and improves the relevance of historical details. Practical Tips (if you want to replicate this)
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 categories and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Exploring one ancestor’s story in three formats with ChatGPT-5 Genealogists often struggle with the challenge of presenting the same research in different formats. Sometimes you need a deeply researched, fully sectioned biography for a family history book; other times you need a flowing, narrative chapter that reads like a story; and sometimes you just need a short “ancestor snapshot” for quick reference. For my research on Samuel Steinman, my official AI tester ancestor, I decided to test ChatGPT-5 by giving it the same set of research facts — and asking for three different biographies:
Here’s how each turned out — and what I learned about GPT-5’s capabilities. 1. Detailed, Sectioned Biography with Historical ContextThe first format was a full, sectioned biography — the kind you might see in a formal research report or a comprehensive family history. This biography included:
Why it works: This approach ensures no detail is lost. It’s perfect for record-keeping, reports for clients, or the main biographical section in a printed family history. What GPT-5 added: Older versions could list facts well, but GPT-5 integrated them smoothly with historical notes, avoided repetition, and kept each section consistent in tone. It felt “polished” without heavy post-editing.
2. Narrative-Style Biography for Family History Books Next, I asked GPT-5 to take the same facts but weave them into a flowing narrative — the kind of biography that feels like you’re reading a chapter from a historical novel, even though it’s entirely factual. Example excerpt: “By the spring of 1910, Samuel had left Albany temporarily for work in El Dorado, Kansas. The Nicodemus Market kept him busy, with farmers coming in before dawn, boots muddy from the fields. But his thoughts drifted home, to Hattie and the children, and the lilac bush blooming by their gate.” Why it works: This format pulls readers in emotionally, helping them picture the ancestor as a living, breathing person. It’s ideal for family history books, presentations, or blogs where engagement matters as much as detail. What GPT-5 added: While GPT-4 could create narratives, GPT-5 stayed more historically grounded and avoided introducing anachronistic or overly modern phrases. The flow felt natural and era-appropriate without sacrificing accuracy.
3. Condensed Ancestor Snapshot for Quick Reference Finally, I asked GPT-5 to condense the same material into a brief ancestor profile — just enough for a caption next to a photo or a family tree entry. Example: Samuel Steinman (1852–1925) – Born in Hancock County, Ohio, Samuel worked as a butcher in Missouri for decades. Married to Hattie, he raised four children, was active in his community, and was known for his strong work ethic. He died in Albany, Missouri, in 1925. Why it works: These quick-reference summaries are perfect for timelines, photo albums, online family trees, and social media posts. What GPT-5 added: The ability to distill decades of life into a few sentences without losing the core identity of the person. Older versions could do this, but GPT-5 does it with more precise word choice and without cutting out essential facts.
Key Takeaways for Genealogists
This exercise proved that GPT-5 isn’t just about answering questions — it can reshape the same research into exactly the format you need, making it a powerful tool for professional and personal genealogy projects. 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 categories 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
 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.
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:
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 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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Author, Diane HenriksHi, I'm Diane Henriks, a professional genealogist, speaker, author, investigator, and the founder of Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family who... 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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