Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days, from chatbots to photo enhancers, and genealogy is no exception. While family history research has always relied on a mix of detective work and educated guesswork, AI is making things faster, easier, and—dare I say—more fun.
I’ve been using AI tools in my own genealogy research, and I want to share how they’ve helped me, along with some ways you can use them too!
1. Transcribing and Translating Old Documents
One of the biggest challenges in genealogy is reading historical documents. Whether it’s handwritten census records, faded letters, or documents in another language, AI-powered transcription and translation tools are game-changers.
🔹 How I Use It: I upload old records to tools like Google Lens or Transkribus, which convert handwriting to searchable text. If a record is in another language (especially Chinese, in my case), I use Google Translate or DeepL to get a rough idea of the content.
🔹 How You Can Too: Try OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tools to make handwritten documents more accessible. Even if the AI doesn’t get everything right, it’s a huge time-saver!
2. Enhancing and Colorizing Old Photos
Old family photos are priceless, but they don’t always age well. AI-powered photo enhancement tools can sharpen details, remove scratches, and even add color to black-and-white images.
🔹 How I Use It: I run old family portraits through tools like MyHeritage’s Deep Nostalgia (which also animates photos!) or Adobe Photoshop’s AI-based restore tools. The results make these images feel more alive.
🔹 How You Can Too: Try MyHeritage, Remini, or VanceAI for quick photo restoration. Even free versions of these tools can bring out hidden details.
3. Organizing and Analyzing DNA Matches
Sorting through DNA matches can be overwhelming, but AI tools are making it easier to find connections.
🔹 How I Use It: I use DNA Painter’s tools to map out shared DNA segments and Genetic Affairs’ AutoCluster to group matches into likely family lines. AI-driven tools help me visualize which side of the family a match is likely from.
🔹 How You Can Too: If you’ve taken a DNA test, try using AutoCluster or tools from DNA Painter to break down your matches into more manageable groups.
4. Generating Research Ideas and Summarizing Information
Sometimes, I hit a roadblock in my research and need fresh ideas. AI-powered assistants (like ChatGPT) can suggest new research strategies or summarize complex historical events that might have affected my ancestors.
🔹 How I Use It: If I’m stuck on an ancestor, I ask AI for ideas on what records might exist. For example, I might ask, “Where would I find records of a Chinese immigrant to California in the 1890s?”—and AI gives me new leads.
🔹 How You Can Too: If you’re stuck, try using AI chatbots to brainstorm new record types, migration patterns, or historical context for your ancestors.
5. Writing Family Stories Faster
Once I’ve gathered the research, AI helps me turn it into engaging stories.
🔹 How I Use It: I use AI writing tools to organize my notes, format family biographies, and even suggest ways to make my ancestors' stories more compelling.
🔹 How You Can Too: If writing feels intimidating, AI tools like Grammarly, Notion AI, or even a chatbot can help you structure your research into a readable family history.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t replacing traditional genealogy research—but it is making it more efficient. Whether you need help transcribing records, organizing DNA matches, or bringing old photos to life, AI can be a valuable tool in your family history journey.
I’d love to hear from you! Have you used AI in your genealogy research? What tools have worked for you? Let me know in the comments!