Exploring Google NotebookLM’s New Report Options for Genealogy

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.

Google NotebookLM "Report" Example 1: A Biographical Narrative of Cora Alice Taylor and Edmond Cole Steinman

Google NotebookLM "Report" Example 1-2: A Biographical Narrative of Cora Alice Taylor and Edmond Cole Steinman

Google NotebookLM "Report" Example 1-3: A Biographical Narrative of Cora Alice Taylor and Edmond Cole Steinman

Google NotebookLM "Report" Example 1-4: A Biographical Narrative of Cora Alice Taylor and Edmond Cole Steinman

Google NotebookLM "Report" Example 1-5: A Biographical Narrative of Cora Alice Taylor and Edmond Cole Steinman

Google NotebookLM "Report" Example 1-6: A Biographical Narrative of Cora Alice Taylor and Edmond Cole Steinman

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!

Try Google NotebookLM

💬 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 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.

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