I’ve combined Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 ancestors in 52 weeks challenge, and Steve Little’s The 2025 AI Genealogy Do-Over, to create a unique 52 AI ancestors in 52 weeks party!

52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 39: Disappeared

Introduction

My ancestor Andrew DRISKOL never existed.

At least, not on paper.

Several people, born England and New York from the 1860s to the 1880s, claim their father was Andrew DRISKOL born Germany.

I’ve written about him before, 35 weeks ago, in Overlooked. But he truly is a disappeared also.

Discussion

I wish I could say that since I wrote about him early this year, I have uncovered some miracle findings. Unfortunately, though I have re-examined records, I have no new revelations.

A son was born in 1883.

Andrew’s wife was a widow in 1900.

His eldest son seems to have bought property in 1890, so one can speculate that he had died by then, as son Edward seemed to be acting as head of the house.

So the first step in any research question is, “What do you know?” Here’s my writeup on him:

Andrew Driskol was born ca. 1835-1840 in Prussia. He married Malvina Hendell probably between 1860 and 1865, possibly in England. Andrew immigrated to the United States about 1868-1869, followed by his wife and eldest children about 1875. He died between 1883 and probably 1890. Documentation for Andrew’s life derives primarily from his children’s vital records, as direct records for him have not been located in standard repositories.

Immigration and Settlement:

Andrew’s initial settlement in New York City, evidenced by his daughter Mary’s birth there about 1876, was followed by the family’s relocation to Staten Island, where subsequent children were born between 1878 and 1883. The family’s absence from both the 1870 and 1880 federal censuses suggests either enumeration under variant names or temporary residence outside standard enumeration areas.

Death and Family Survival:

Andrew’s death occurred by 1890, as evidenced by his son Edward’s property purchase on Van Pelt Avenue at age 25, suggesting assumption of family financial responsibility. By 1900, Malvina was enumerated as a widow. Edward Driskol survived as the family’s last known member, residing in Kew Gardens, Queens, as of 1938.

Possible timeline:

He was married to Malvina Hendell.

Ultimately, Andrew disappeared – on both ends of his life – to me.

How AI can help

Let’s not use any fancy tools this time, but some good old-fashioned LLM prompting.

Using ChatGPT 5, ask:

Using the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) as a basis, create a research question for Andrew Driskol. His biography so far is: <paste it here>

Its research question (RQ) was far too long; it responded:

What are the origins, immigration circumstances, and death details of Andrew Driskol, born ca. 1835–1840 in Prussia, who married Malvina Hendell about 1860–1865 (possibly in England), immigrated to the United States ca. 1868–1869, settled in New York City and Staten Island, and died between 1883 and 1890?

I encouraged:

What are the standards around generality vs granularity of a research question? Is that a good RQ, or is it too broad?

ChatGPT justified itself using the GPS, so I looked up Standard 10, Effective research questions, which covers how to frame a clear, testable research question. And while I would not ever draft such a research question, it does seem that the LLM’s is supported by Board for Certification of Genealogists. However, my brain would get overwhelmed, so I forced a narrower question:

OK, Let’s focus on the death so that I can understand. Create a research question for that, and a research plan to answer that question.

I got the updated RQ:

Research Question (Granular)

When and where did Andrew Driskol, born ca. 1835–1840 in Prussia and husband of Malvina Hendell, die between 1883 and 1890, likely on Staten Island, New York, and what records document that event?

And the research plan:

Research Plan

1. Define Context

• Known facts:
  • Last known child born Staten Island, 1883.
  • Absent by 1890 (Edward assumed financial role).
  • Malvina a widow by 1900.
• Death window: ca. 1883–1890.
• Likely place: Staten Island (Richmond County, NY), but consider broader NYC.

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2. Identify Possible Record Types

Civil Records

• NYC Death Certificates (1866–1897): Check NYC Municipal Archives index (also on FamilySearch/Ancestry).
• NYC Department of Health death registers: May list cause of death, burial place, occupation.

Church & Cemetery Records

• Search Catholic, Lutheran, Jewish, Episcopal churches near Staten Island residences.
• Identify burial grounds: Silver Mount Cemetery, Moravian Cemetery, St. Peter’s Cemetery, Lutheran Cemetery (Middle Village, Queens), etc.

Newspapers & Obituaries

• Staten Island Advance (began 1886), New York Herald, New York Times.
• Local German-language newspapers (if Driskol/variant targeted immigrant community).

Probate & Court Records

• Richmond County Surrogate’s Court: estate files, guardianship if minor children.
• Deeds in Edward’s name may reference inheritance or widow’s release of dower rights.

Directories & Tax Records

• NYC and Staten Island directories (late 1870s–1890s).
• Absence after certain year may suggest timing of death.

Census & Substitutes

• 1880 Census: already noted missing.
• 1890 NYC Police Census (1890–1891): Surviving substitute for parts of NYC (check Staten Island).

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3. Search Strategy

1. Start with death indexes (FamilySearch, Ancestry, ItalianGen, NYC Historical Vital Records site).
   1. Try variant spellings: Driskol, Driscoll, Driskoll, Driscol, Drisckel, etc.
   1. Search both Andrew and possible Anglicized/Germanic versions.
2. Check cemeteries
   1. Query burial registers (FindaGrave, BillionGraves, local cemetery offices).
   1. Look for Hendell family burials; Malvina may be buried near Andrew.
3. Newspapers
   1. Search 1883–1895 in local & regional papers for death notices.
   1. Broaden to German-language press (e.g., Staats-Zeitung).
4. Probate
   1. Search Richmond County Surrogate’s Court (on-site, microfilm, or via index).
   1. Look for estate of Andrew or guardianship for children.
5. Property Records
   1. Review 1890 Van Pelt Avenue purchase by Edward.
   1. Check grantor/grantee indexes ca. 1883–1890 for Driskol/variant.

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4. Correlation & Resolution

• Compare death certificate data, if found, with known facts (age, occupation, spouse).
• If absent, correlate indirect evidence:
  • Last mention (1883 child’s baptism/birth).
  • First absence (Edward’s property purchase, widow status in 1900).
  • Directories/obituaries/probate to tighten timeframe.
• Write a conclusion using the GPS elements: reasonably exhaustive research, correlation of sources, resolution of conflicts (e.g., multiple men with similar names), and soundly reasoned conclusion.

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✅ This plan moves you from the umbrella RQ → a specific, testable sub-question → a roadmap of sources, with contingency steps if the death certificate itself isn’t found.

So I guess I’m off and running. Again. Andrew, your elusiveness is only temporary!

Challenge for Readers

Have someone on your tree who “disappeared”? This week, try this:

1. Write a brief timeline for your ancestor, just like the Andrew Driskol example. Keep it simple: birth, marriage, immigration, kids, last known date.
2. Craft a research question using Standard 10 from the Genealogical Proof Standard. Don’t overthink it—aim for something testable, not perfect.
3. Use ChatGPT (or a free LLM) to check your research question. See how it responds. What would you keep or tweak?

Bonus: Post your research question in the comments or your favorite genealogy group to crowdsource ideas. You’re probably definitely not the only one chasing a ghost.

Want to Learn More?

• Explore the Genealogical Proof Standard: Start with this article from BCG and focus on Standard 10 about research questions.
• Prompting Tips for Genealogists: Try different phrasing in ChatGPT. Compare broad vs. narrow questions and ask, “What records would help answer this?”
• Free LLMs you can use:
  • Perplexity.ai
  • Claude.ai
  • Microsoft Copilot (built into Edge)

Even if you’re not an AI expert, you can still use these tools to test ideas, brainstorm new paths, or just help spot what’s missing.

Next Week’s Topic: “Cemetery”

AI Disclosure

This post was created by me with the help of AI tools. While AI helps organize research, the storytelling and discoveries are my own.

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[1] Census ages varied but ultimately since Malvina likely immigrated April of 1875, I feel Mary was born 1876.