52ancestors | The Ancestor Whisperer

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 3: Nickname

Introduction

Week 3 of the 52 Ancestors challenge dives into nicknames. “Which of your ancestors had a nickname? Do you know how they got it?”

This week, I’ll step away from my maternal grandmother’s line to focus on my paternal grandmother’s mother, my great-grandmother Mary Agnes HART CAREY (1892-1978) —known to us as “Nanny.”

Background

Great Grandma, “Nanny” we called her, was named Mary Agnes HART CAREY. She was born, you might have guessed, into an Irish Catholic family.

The nickname

Her formal name, Mary Agnes, seemed typical for her heritage and era, but it also carried a hidden twist: she was universally called “Aggie.”

My grandmother shared how, after Nanny passed, she was shocked to learn her mother’s first name wasn’t actually “Agnes.” Nanny named one of her children “Agnes,” but not “Mary,” indicating how she wanted to leave the name behind.

Nicknames like “Aggie” often reflect personal preferences, family traditions, or even community influences. But what’s fascinating is how these seemingly small details offer insights into how ancestors presented themselves to the world or were seen by others.

Figure 1 Mary Agnes HART CAREY, date perhaps 1940s to early 1950s

The AI Connection: How AI Can Help Decode Nicknames

Nicknames can be tricky in genealogy, especially when records use formal names instead of the name your ancestor was commonly called. AI tools can be a game-changer here by offering innovative ways to trace and decode these hidden connections:

Name Matching in Records
AI-powered genealogy platforms can identify patterns in historical records, connecting nicknames to formal names. For example, searching for “Aggie” might yield records for Mary Agnes, even if “Aggie” isn’t explicitly listed. AI algorithms that analyze phonetic similarities (like the Soundex system) make this possible.
Document Analysis
Some AI tools can scan personal letters, diaries, or even old newspapers to detect nicknames alongside formal names. This can help clarify how nicknames were used and even uncover clues about their origins.
Family Tree Suggestions
Platforms like Ancestry.com and MyHeritage use AI to suggest connections. If an ancestor was known by different names in various documents, AI can consolidate the data, revealing hidden patterns or relationships you might otherwise miss.
Cultural Context Insights
AI can also analyze naming trends by era and region. For instance, “Aggie” as a nickname for Agnes was more popular in Irish communities during certain periods. Understanding these trends can make your ancestor’s story richer and more relatable.

Going Forward

What about you? Who in your family had a nickname that stood out? Did it reveal a personality quirk, a fond memory, or a cultural connection?

Take this week’s challenge to the next level by pairing your research with AI tools. You might discover a nickname hiding in plain sight or uncover how a loved one’s identity evolved over time.

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 2: Favorite Photo

Introduction

Week 2 of the 52 Ancestors challenge dives into your favorite photo. “Photos capture our family history like few other things can,” right? Picking a favorite is tough—I have a handful that hold deep meaning for me. Let me share one particularly special image with you: a portrait I labeled “Unknown Sailor.”

Background

My maternal grandmother, whom I wrote about last week, lost her mother at the age of three. As the only daughter, she inherited a collection of keepsakes, including a stack of photographs—most of them frustratingly unlabeled. One photo, though, stood out:

A sepia-toned image of a confident sailor, standing tall with an unmistakable pride.

This sailor seemed to radiate pride and confidence, but who was he?

The search

At first, I had no clues to identify him. Then, while researching Grandma’s maternal grandmother, Alice, I learned Alice had three brothers who served in the Civil War, including one in the Navy. That gave me a potential name: Oscar Smith.

For years, Oscar remained an enigma. No evidence could prove his identity. Then one day, while exploring collateral research, I connected with another genealogist studying the surname of Alice’s first husband (I descend from the second), my second cousin once removed. We compared notes and decided to meet, each bringing our family photo collections.

Imagine my surprise when she produced the exact same [unlabeled] sailor photo! Together, we became convinced the sailor was indeed Oscar Smith. Over a century after his naval service, Oscar had unwittingly brought two branches of our family back together.

Kathie and I corresponded and collaborated for quite a while. I assume she is now asking Alice for family information.

The AI connection

Here’s where modern tools entered the picture. Steve’s Photograph Analysis, a custom GPT from Steve Little, became my new research ally. I uploaded the sailor photo, and the AI provided a detailed analysis:

Composition: Lighting, subject placement, and atmosphere.
Context: Potential date, location, and even identity clues.
Insights: Surprising details about the photo’s timeline.

To my amazement, ChatGPT placed the photo in a time frame after Oscar had died. Was my theory wrong? Or was there a misstep in the analysis? This unexpected twist turned the photo into a deeper mystery, one I’m still unraveling.

Summary report including conclusion that the photo is from the early 1900s.

Going forward

I have my theories, but as any genealogist knows, personal beliefs don’t meet the Genealogical Proof Standard. For now, Oscar’s (?) photo remains a tantalizing puzzle. Who knows—maybe future 52 Ancestors prompts will give me the chance to share updates as this story unfolds.

Try it yourself

Curious about your own family photos? Give Steve’s photo analyzer a spin, or prompt an AI tool yourself to uncover hidden details in your family’s history. Happy hunting!