 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.
 4 Essential Websites for Early California Genealogy Research If you’ve ever researched ancestors who lived in California before statehood, you already know how challenging — and fascinating — early California genealogy can be. Over the past few days, I’ve been deep into an early California case involving Spanish and Mexican-era records, mission communities, settlers, and families who lived in Alta California long before 1850. While working through this project, I relied heavily on four outstanding websites that proved invaluable for uncovering baptisms, marriages, burials, migration clues, and rich historical context. If you’re researching:
Why Early California Genealogy Is UniqueCalifornia genealogy does not follow the same research patterns as most U.S. states. Before statehood in 1850, California passed through three distinct eras:
That’s where the following four websites really stand out. 1. Early California Population Project (ECPP)🔗 https://ecpp.ucr.edu The Early California Population Project (ECPP) was the cornerstone of my recent research — and honesty, it’s one of the most powerful genealogy databases for early California available anywhere. According to the website, ECPP is: “A reference database and research project that explores the lives of more than 100,000 individuals who appear in the sacramental records created by California’s Franciscan missionaries between 1769 and 1850.” This remarkable project is a partnership between:
The database provides public access to information extracted directly from:
Depending on the record, you may uncover:
✨ Research tip: Always search using name variants, Spanish spellings, and phonetic possibilities. 2. Online Archive of California (OAC) 🔗 https://oac.cdlib.org The Online Archive of California (OAC) is an amazing portal to archival collections across the state. From the website: “Free public access to detailed descriptions of primary resource collections maintained by more than 350 contributing institutions.” These include:
While many records are not digitized page-by-page, OAC excels at helping you locate collections you may never have known existed, such as:
✨ Research tip: Even if a collection isn’t digitized, the finding aid alone can reveal names, locations, and time periods worth pursuing. 3. Calisphere🔗 https://calisphere.org Calisphere is one of my favorite California research resources — and one that many genealogists underuse. According to the website, Calisphere is: “A gateway to California’s remarkable digital collections.” It provides free access to over two million digitized items, including:
Calisphere may not always name your ancestor directly — but it brings their world to life. You can often find:
✨ Research tip: Search by location, mission name, or rancho — not just surnames. 4. California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC) 🔗 https://cdnc.ucr.edu The California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC) is hosted by the Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research (CBSR). Although CBSR closed in June 2025, the site remains available for historical research. CDNC provides free access to:
Depending on the time period, newspapers may uncover:
Putting It All TogetherWhen researching early California families, no single website tells the whole story. But when used together:
Final Thoughts Early California genealogy is challenging — but incredibly rewarding. The records may be old, handwritten, translated, and sometimes incomplete, but the stories they tell are powerful ones:
Happy researching — and may your California ancestors finally come into focus. More Genealogy ResourcesFind more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Exploring Google NotebookLM's Data Table Feature for Genealogy One of the most exciting aspects of using AI tools in genealogy is how quickly they evolve. Just when you think you’ve explored all the current features, something new appears that can genuinely change how you work. That’s exactly what happened last month. While attending an AI for Genealogy presentation, I noticed a slide showing NotebookLM with a button I had never seen before: “Data Table.” Since I had been using NotebookLM just days earlier, it immediately caught my attention. Sure enough, when I checked the next morning, the feature was live—and it had only been released two days earlier, on December 18. After testing it with an existing genealogy notebook, I can confidently say this is a very promising new tool for genealogists.  NotebookLM Data Table Option in the Studio Example What Is the NotebookLM Data Table Feature? The new Data Table feature allows NotebookLM to automatically extract structured information from your notebook and generate a clean, organized table within seconds. With a single click, NotebookLM:
While you can customize the table if you wish, I opted for the automatic option during my first test—and the results were impressive. Testing the Feature with Real Genealogy Data To test the Data Table feature, I used an existing NotebookLM notebook for my 2nd great-grandparents, John William Taylor and Sarah Stubbins, including their children, parents, and related records. Within seconds, NotebookLM generated a table with the following column headings:
Not only was the data laid out clearly and logically, but NotebookLM also included all sources used as footnotes at the bottom of the table. For genealogists, this is a critical and very welcome detail.  NotebookLM Data Table Output Example Instant Export to Google Sheets One of the standout benefits of this feature is how easily the data can be reused. With a single click, the table can be exported directly to Google Sheets—almost instantly. This opens up tons of possibilities, including:
For genealogists who already use spreadsheets as part of their workflow, this integration alone makes the feature incredibly useful.  NotebookLM Data Table Automatic Export to Google Sheets Example Why This Matters for Genealogists The real value of the Data Table feature isn’t just speed—it’s structure. Genealogists often work with:
Being able to take all of that information and instantly convert it into a structured, source-linked table is a major time-saver. While the output should always be reviewed and verified (as with any AI-generated content), it provides an excellent starting point for analysis, reporting, and visualization. This feature is especially promising for:
Breaking down complex research into manageable views Another Big Win for NotebookLM NotebookLM continues to evolve quickly, and this new Data Table feature is another strong example of how AI tools are becoming more practical—and more genealogy-friendly. If you’re already using NotebookLM for research notes, source analysis, or case studies, this feature is well worth exploring. And if you’re new to NotebookLM, the Data Table option alone makes it an excellent tool to add to your genealogy toolbox. As always, AI works best when paired with solid genealogical methodology—and this feature fits perfectly into that approach. 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 #GenealogyTech #GenealogyTools #GenealogyInnovation
1/11/2026 Would You Animate Your Ancestors’ Photos? What Genealogists Really Think About AIRead Now  AI and genealogy collide as family historians debate animating ancestor photos What a Facebook Poll Reveals About Memory, Ethics, and AI in GenealogyEvery so often, I return to a style of blog post I truly enjoy—one rooted in social genealogy, where community conversations themselves become a source worth examining. This week’s blog grew out of a simple Facebook poll I posted on Friday, January 11, 2026: Would you use AI to animate your ancestors’ photos?
What followed was not just a tally of votes, but a thoughtful, emotionally layered discussion that highlights where genealogists—and family historians more broadly—currently stand with AI-generated photo animation. What struck me most was not which answer won, but why people felt the way they did. A Community Divided—But ThoughtfulThe responses fell fairly clearly into the three poll categories, yet very few answers were flippant. Even those who chose a firm “no” often articulated deeply held values about memory, authenticity, and responsibility. “Yes” — Curiosity, Connection, and EmotionThose open to animating ancestor photos often framed it as:
Several people emphasized joy—seeing a smile, a blink, or a subtle movement that made an ancestor feel momentarily present. Others noted that they were comfortable animating photos of ancestors from long before their own lifetimes, but not relatives they personally remembered. For these respondents, AI animation was described as emotional storytelling, not documentation. “Maybe” — Fascinated, But UncomfortableThe “maybe” responses were some of the most detailed. Common themes included:
Several people stressed clear labeling—making sure that any AI-altered image was explicitly identified as such. Others described mixed emotional reactions, especially when animating images of close relatives, noting that the experience could feel sad, uncanny, or unexpectedly intense. This group seems to occupy the growing middle ground in genealogy’s AI conversation: open to experimentation, but anchored by ethical guardrails. “No” — Preservation, Authenticity, and ContextThose firmly opposed to animating ancestor photos expressed strong and consistent reasoning:
Many respondents drew a clear distinction between minor restoration (such as sharpening or repairing damage) and transformative changes like animation or colorization. For them, animation crossed a line—from preservation into invention. A recurring concern was accuracy. Eyes, mouths, and facial movements were frequently mentioned as areas where AI “gets it wrong,” making the result feel less like a loved one and more like a digital approximation. An Important Observation One particularly interesting note: The first wave of responses came from an AI-focused genealogy group, yet even within that audience—people already comfortable with AI tools—the reactions were far from universally enthusiastic. That alone is telling. It reinforces that acceptance of AI in genealogy is not all-or-nothing. Genealogists may embrace AI for transcription, analysis, clustering, or restoration—while simultaneously rejecting its use in other areas. The Real Issue Isn’t Technology—It’s Trust At its core, this conversation is not really about animation software. It’s about:
Many respondents—across all three answers—agreed on one crucial point: Transparency matters. If AI is used:
This mirrors long-standing genealogical best practices. We already distinguish between original records and transcriptions, abstracts, interpretations, and hypotheses. AI-generated images simply introduce a new category—one that requires even clearer explanation. Where I Land (and Why It Matters) As someone who works extensively with AI in genealogy, I find these conversations essential. AI can be:
Animating an ancestor’s photo can be meaningful, moving, and even beautiful--if it is treated as a modern interpretation, not a historical truth. And it is equally valid to say: this is not for me. Final Thoughts This poll reminded me why community discussions are so valuable in genealogy. There is no single “right” answer—only thoughtful choices rooted in respect, context, and intention. Whether you answered yes, maybe, or no, one thing was clear: Genealogists care deeply about how family history is preserved, presented, and passed on. And that, more than any tool or technology, is what truly matters. Have you ever animated an ancestor’s photo—or chosen not to? Conversations like this are shaping the future of genealogy, one thoughtful decision at a time. More AI and GenealogyLearn about more AI in Genealogy under the AI in Genealogy and Genealogy Resources categories and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Post-1850 Census Research Checklist: Getting the Most Out of Named Enumerations When the 1850 U.S. census arrived, everything changed. For the first time, every free person in the household was listed by name, age, sex, and birthplace—a dramatic shift from the sparse, tick-mark style of earlier census records. Because of that, the post-1850 era often feels easier to navigate, but these censuses offer far more than basic household lists. With the right approach, they can help you build timelines, uncover relationships, track migrations, and confirm identities with remarkable detail. This quick reference guide walks you through the key steps to help you fully analyze and interpret census records from 1850 through 1950—because even familiar records can reveal new insights when examined with intention. A Quick Research Checklist for Post-1850 Census Records 1. Transcribe the Entire Household Don’t rely solely on the indexed information.
2. Compare Ages Across Census Years Ages can vary widely—but patterns matter.
3. Make Note of Occupations and Education These details can unlock additional record types.
4. Study Household Structure Look beyond the list of names.
5. Examine Place of Birth Clues Birthplace columns offer powerful hints.
6. Analyze the Neighborhood Census records are community documents.
7. Pay Attention to Special Census Schedules Depending on the decade, the census may include:
8. Identify Gaps and Missing Family Members Absences matter just as much as appearances.
9. Cross-Reference With Vital and Local Records Once you collect census clues, turn them into leads.
10. Document Your Analysis Clearly Good research requires clear reasoning.
Putting It All Together Post-1850 census records may feel familiar, but they are packed with details that often go unnoticed. By slowing down, reviewing each column, studying the neighborhood, and putting the census together with supporting records, you can turn a simple household entry into a detailed account of your ancestor’s life. This checklist is perfect to keep on hand during your research time—and great for days when you need a quick, meaningful genealogy task that moves your work forward. More on Genealogy RecordsLearn more about the censuses, along with other genealogy records and resources, under the Genealogy Records category and the Genealogy Resources category, as well as on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. Also, stay on the lookout for when and where I'll be speaking about these records next.
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
12/20/2025 Ancestry Expands Its AI Record Explore Feature: Introducing Listen and Explore (Beta)Read Now  Ancestry Expands AI Record Explore with New “Listen and Explore” Feature (Beta) Back in April of 2024, I introduced Ancestry’s first major step into AI-powered record interpretation in my blog post, Ancestry’s New AI Record Explore Feature! At the time, the feature provided AI-generated summaries of individual records—an exciting development that helped genealogists better understand what a record contained and how their ancestor appeared within it. Fast forward to now, and Ancestry has taken that concept several steps further with a new, expanded beta feature: Listen and Explore. This enhancement builds on the original AI Record Explore tool by transforming static records into richer, more contextual narratives about our ancestors’ lives. I recently tested this new feature using my 2nd great-grandfather, Samuel Steinman, and his 1920 U.S. census record, and the results were genuinely impressive.  Ancestry AI Listen and Explore Record Feature- Example What Stays the Same: AI Record Summaries At its core, the feature still includes an AI-generated summary of the record, clearly explaining:
 Ancestry AI Listen and Explore Record Feature- Example 1, Summary What’s New: “Listen to Their Story” The biggest enhancement is the addition of a “Listen to their story” option. This feature expands well beyond a simple summary and provides a narrative-style explanation that includes:
Even better, this narrative is downloadable, making it especially useful for:
 Ancestry AI Listen and Explore Record Feature- Example 2, Listen to Their Story “Explore What Shaped Their Life”: A Dynamic Research Companion Another standout addition is the “Explore what shaped their life” section. Using Samuel Steinman’s 1920 census record, Ancestry presented me with four thematic topics to explore further. What was particularly interesting is that these options changed each time I revisited the feature, offering new angles and research prompts. Some of the topics I was offered included:
This rotating selection encourages deeper thinking and prevents the experience from feeling repetitive.  Ancestry AI Listen and Explore Record Feature- Example 3, Explore What Shaped Their Life  Ancestry AI Listen and Explore Record Feature- Example 3, Explore What Shaped Their Life 1  Ancestry AI Listen and Explore Record Feature- Example 3, Explore What Shaped Their Life 2  Ancestry AI Listen and Explore Record Feature- Example 3, Explore What Shaped Their Life 3 Footnotes, Sources, and a Very Pleasant Surprise Clicking on Occupation in butcher shops (in two slightly different versions) produced two similar but not identical explorations—and both included footnotes at the bottom. This is where the feature really shines. In the first version, the cited sources included:
In the second version, the sources included:
Each exploration also includes a copy function, making it easy to save, reuse, or adapt the content. The Drawback: Speed As exciting as this feature is, it does come with one notable drawback: it is slow. Clicking on “Listen and Explore” can take a significant amount of time to load. In some cases, the delay is long enough that users may assume the feature isn’t working at all, as I did at first, and navigate away. This may be a beta-stage issue, and while understandable, it’s worth noting so users know to be patient while the AI processes the request. Final ThoughtsAncestry’s Listen and Explore feature is a meaningful evolution in how genealogists interact with records. Rather than simply extracting facts, this tool helps:
If you haven’t explored this feature yet, it’s well worth your time—just be sure to give it a moment to work. 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.
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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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