Getting Started: The 3 Free AI Tools I Use for Genealogy Research

Summary

In this video, genealogy expert Lisa shares how AI can be a valuable research assistant for tracing ancestry. She demonstrates using three AI platforms: Chat GPT, Google's Gemini, and Perplexity, to transcribe, translate, and suggest records. Lisa explains AI's role in DNA analysis, creating timelines, and overcoming research obstacles. She advises verifying AI facts and crafting context-rich prompts for better results.

Takeaways

• 🧑‍🔬 AI can function as a research assistant in genealogy by transcribing and translating text from various languages, making historical records more accessible.
• 🌐 AI algorithms can suggest relevant records and potential family connections that might not be immediately apparent.
• 🧬 In DNA analysis, AI plays a crucial role in identifying potential relatives and providing insights into genetic ancestry.
• 🗓️ AI can create detailed timelines of ancestors' lives, mapping their movements and placing them in historical context.
• 🔍 AI can generate research questions, suggest new avenues of research, and help break through genealogy 'brick walls'.
• ⏰ AI saves time by performing tasks that might take humans hours in just seconds or minutes.
• 🔗 AI helps identify connections and patterns in data that might not be immediately obvious to human researchers.
• 📖 AI assists in storytelling by helping to compile research into narratives that can be shared with family members.
• ⚠️ While AI can be a powerful tool, it's not always accurate, so it's important to verify any facts it provides.
• 💡 When using AI, providing context in your prompts will yield better and more relevant results.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video discusses how AI platforms can be used as genealogy research assistants.

Who is Lisa Listen?

Lisa Listen is a genealogy expert with over 15 years of experience helping people find their ancestors.

What are the three AI platforms mentioned in the video?

The three AI platforms mentioned are Chat GPT, Google's Gemini, and Perplexity.

How can AI tools assist in genealogy research?

AI tools can transcribe and translate text from various languages, suggest relevant records and family connections, analyze DNA data, create timelines, and act as research assistants.

What is the role of AI in DNA analysis?

AI plays a crucial role in DNA analysis by identifying potential relatives and providing insights into genetic ancestry.

How does AI help in creating detailed timelines of ancestors' lives?

AI helps create detailed timelines by mapping ancestors' movements and placing them in relation to other important events within their community, region, state, or country.

What are some of the challenges AI faces in terms of accuracy?

AI is not always accurate and can sometimes provide incorrect or incomplete information, so it's important to verify the facts it provides.

How does providing context in prompts to AI platforms improve the quality of responses?

Providing context in prompts helps AI platforms give more accurate and relevant information tailored to the specific research needs.

What are some tips for using AI as a genealogy research assistant?

Some tips include verifying any facts given by AI, providing context in prompts, and using the AI's suggestions to explore new avenues of research.

What does the acronym 'AI' stand for?

AI stands for Artificial Intelligence.

How can AI help overcome genealogy 'brick walls'?

AI can help overcome genealogy 'brick walls' by suggesting new research questions and avenues of research that might not have been considered.