family-history

52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 26: Favorite name

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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 26: Favorite name

Introduction

My grandmother, Edith Lillian MAKEY WEST (born 1913), was named after her maternal aunt Edith BRITTON GILSHENAN. She always said she hated it and insisted that none of us name any children after her.

But secretly, it seems, she wanted it. So very late in her life, my mother named her new dog Lily. Grandma chortled.

Two years after Grandma died, I had a son, who I named Evan, in order to use her first initial. I hope she’s smiling down on him!

Discussion

I’ll wager we all had name stories! But where did these names originate?

Did you know that the Social Security Administration publicizes the most popular baby names? Last year they were Liam and Olivia. https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/ You can view popularity of names by Change in popularity, top 5 names, decade, state, or U.S. territory.

I selected the 1940s and it showed the top 200 given names for each gender. The dropdown goes back as far as the 1880s, the decade Aunt Edith was born, when she got the 31st most popular girl’s name.

How AI can help

AI can bring a lot of insight to that, though. I went to ChatGPT and asked it

When did the name Edith become popular and why?

Its response went much farther back than the Social Security office did. ChatGPT told me that the name became popular in late 19th-and early 20th-century England and America, but that its origins well predated that, to the Old English, and gave me a history, including saints and royalty with that name.

Were people who were named Edith in 1884 named after anyone in particular?

It gave a lot of possibilities but none of them rang true for me. It added: People named Edith in 1884 were typically not named after a single popular figure which was quite useful.

Challenge

Select someone that you think may have been given a then-popular name, and ask your favorite LLM about it. I chose ChatGPT because I’m comfortable with it, but there are others that specialize in research; for example, Microsoft Researcher or Claude Opus or Gemini. Feel free to run the questions through all three, or others!

Make sure to iterate. Few of us get it 100% spot on the first try. Dig in to find what you’re looking for!

Figure 1 Family photo, Easter Sunday 1900. Edith Britton Gilshenan believed to be present.

Summary

Names hold stories—and sometimes contradictions. Grandma Edith disliked hers, yet giggled when it was revived for a beloved dog. Using the name’s first initial for a grandson showed how names can subtly honor family ties. This week’s theme invites readers to reflect on favorite names in their tree, investigate their origins, and consider their cultural meaning. Tools like the Social Security baby name database offer insight into popularity over time, while AI tools like ChatGPT can add rich historical context that isn’t in the standard indexes. The takeaway? Every name has a backstory—your job is to go looking for it, and ask better questions when you do.

What’s your favorite name in your family tree—and what do you know about where it came from?

Further Resources

🛠️ Further Resources

  1. Social Security Administration Baby Names Database
    https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
    Explore U.S. baby name trends by year, state, and more.
  2. ChatGPT
    https://chat.openai.com
    Ask about name origins, cultural context, or compare historical trends.
  3. Microsoft Researcher (via Copilot)
    Available through Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Great for digging deeper into historical naming conventions. Access it via Copilot https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat/
  4. Claude (Anthropic)
    https://claude.ai
    A conversational AI with a gentle touch for genealogical inquiries.
  5. Gemini by Google
    https://gemini.google.com
    Cross-reference multiple sources on historical figures and name origins.
  6. Behind the Name
    https://www.behindthename.com
    A longstanding and well-researched name etymology resource.

Next Week’s Topic: “Family business”

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.

52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 25: FAN Club

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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 25: FAN Club

Late breaking news!

I just learned that the Florida State Genealogical Society will be hosting a Poolside Chat with the esteemed LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG®, FASG, entitled “An Enslaved Person’s FAN Club.” The registration link is here. Don’t waste time, this is Thursday, June 19, at 8pm EDT!

Introduction

My favorite “FAN Club” story is also my “boy next door” story. My husband’s grandparents, Samuel Birnbaum and Anna Frank, were living at the same Manhattan address in the 1905 census – and married the following year.[1]

Discussion

The family lived at 348 E. 46th Street in Manhattan, and there were 16 heads of families at that address.

On their marriage certificate the following year, they reported residing at different addresses, he at where they had been, and she at a new one.

Anna’s future husband was a neighbor – literally the N in FAN club.

How AI can help

I discussed using AI to help identify the FAN Club back in week 5: 52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 5: Challenge. We can just drop pages of passenger lists into a LLM, and pages of censuses, and look for common names among them.

But can we now take it farther?

Of course we can!

Here’s a thought: witnesses. As we’ve gotten more diligent about our research, we have certainly noted the witnesses in our records. Who has witnessed marriages, baptisms, land transactions, wills? If they are in your GEDcom, drop it into ChatGPT or another AI and ask it to find commonalities.

Of course, it’s possible that the minister’s wife witnessed all the marriages the clergyman performed. But it’s also possible the bride’s sister is listed instead.

Side rant: Oh my goodness, what I wouldn’t give to know the relationship of Sponicus Yong to his godchild Maria, daughter of Mary Young!

Here’s another thought: Newspaper gossip. Check out my grandmother’s 11th birthday party notice, and guess how many of these guests were family members:

I can’t answer that yet, but I do think that I will ask AI to help me identify these people. I chose Gemini, though Microsoft Researcher would probably do well also, and asked:

Help me to identify these guests at the birthday fete in 1924 in Queens, New York

Spoiler:

“Performing detailed genealogical research on every individual mentioned in a 1924 newspaper clipping is a significant undertaking that requires access to specialized historical records (census records, city directories, birth/marriage/death certificates, etc.) that are not readily available through general web searches.”

It seems that Gemini is going to need a little convincing. Probably with a few separate steps. So instead, I asked for it to give me suggestions, hoping I’d get told about the 1925 New York State census. And I was not. However, it did make several good suggestions like federal censuses and city directories.

Challenge:

Let’s see what your genealogical backup singers—your FAN Club—can do for you this week. Try one (or more) of these ideas:

  1. Witness Watch
    Dig into your records—marriage certificates, land deeds, baptisms, or wills. Who’s showing up over and over as a witness? Pop a few of those names into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. Ask, “What’s their connection to my ancestor?”
  2. Birthday Party Guests, Unmasked
    Got an old newspaper clipping with names of party guests or social call shoutouts? Ask an AI tool to help identify them. Even if it only suggests where to look next (like the 1925 New York State Census or city directories), that’s a win.
  3. FAN-tasy Football (Genealogy-style)
    Create a mini-FAN roster for one ancestor. Use an Airtable or spreadsheet and include friends, associates, and neighbors. Try uploading it to an AI and ask, “Who are the common links?” You might find a cousin lurking in plain sight.

Your goal this week is not perfection—it’s perspective. Look to the sidelines and you may just find someone cheering for your ancestor.

Figure 1 A party? Probably including my mother in law.

Summary

I want to close with advice that Gemini gave me:

Tips for Successful Research:

  • Be Patient and Persistent: Genealogical research takes time and often involves hitting dead ends before finding breakthroughs.
  • Keep Detailed Notes: Record every search you perform, what you found (or didn’t find), and where you looked. This prevents redoing work.
  • Vary Spelling: Names were often misspelled or inconsistently recorded in historical documents (e.g., “Makey” could be “Mackey,” “Maikey,” etc.). Try variations.
  • Utilize Public Libraries: Your local library likely offers free access to Ancestry.com Library Edition or other genealogical resources if you visit in person.

And a gift from Claude:

The FAN Club: A Genealogist’s Guide
When ancestors seem lost to time’s cruel hand,
Look beyond the bloodline’s narrow strand—
Friends and Associates, Neighbors too,
Form the FAN Club that will guide you through.

In wills they witness, deeds they sign,
Their lives entwined with your family line.
These supporting players hold the key
To unlock your ancestry’s mystery.


 
Further Resources
Core Educational Resources
Elizabeth Shown Mills – The originator of the FAN Club concept
Evidence Explained – QuickLesson 11: Identity Problems & the FAN Principle Cyndi’s List – Research Methodology – FAN Club or Cluster Research
QuickSheet: The Historical Biographer’s Guide to Cluster Research (the FAN Principle) Cyndi’s List – Research Methodology – FAN Club or Cluster Research from Genealogical Publishing Company
Comprehensive Articles & Guides
The Occasional Genealogist – Two detailed posts:
“What Is a Genealogy FAN Club?” What Is a Genealogy FAN Club? – Explains the basics and what FAN clubs are NOT
“FAN Club Genealogy Research: How-to and Tips” FAN Club Genealogy Research: How-to and Tips – Gets into the nitty-gritty details of implementation
Genealogy Gems – “The Genealogy FAN Club Principle Overcomes Genealogy Brick Walls” The Genealogy FAN Club Principle Overcomes Genealogy Brick Walls – Genealogy Gems by Amie Bowser Tennant
Legacy Tree Genealogists – “The Cousin Next Door: Using the FAN Club Principle” The Cousin Next Door: Using the FAN Club Principle | Legacy Tree
Family History Fanatics – “A Brief Review of Cluster Genealogy Research (FAN Club)” A Brief Review of Cluster Genealogy Research (FAN Club)
Genealogy In Action – Two helpful resources:
“How To Use the FAN Club to Solve Your Genealogy Brick Walls” How To Use the FAN Club to Solve Your Genealogy Brick Walls
“6 Places to Look for FAN Club Members” 6 Places to Look for FAN Club Members
Video Resources
YouTube Videos:
Ancestry.com – FAN Club Research to Build Your Family Tree by Crista Cowan Cyndi’s List – Research Methodology – FAN Club or Cluster Research
Genealogy TV – What is F.A.N. Club Research for Genealogy and Family History? Cyndi’s List – Research Methodology – FAN Club or Cluster Research
How to Use Cluster Genealogy a.k.a. FAN Club Research by Connie Knox Genealogy FAN Research or Cluster Research — Amelia Island Genealogical Society
Organization & Tools
Family Locket Genealogists – “RLP 96: How to Track and Organize the FAN Club” RLP 96: How to Track and Organize the FAN Club – Family Locket (podcast episode with Airtable template for organizing FAN research)
Central Resource Hub
Cyndi’s List – Research Methodology – FAN Club or Cluster Research Cyndi’s List – Research Methodology – FAN Club or Cluster Research provides a comprehensive collection of links to additional resources
 
 
Next Week’s Topic: “Favorite name”
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.

[1] New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1905; Election District: A.D. 22 E.D. 12; City: Manhattan; County: New York; Page: 16

A Brutal Editor (with Zero Feelings): Using AI to Tighten Your Genealogy Writing

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Using AI to improve my genealogical writing

I am writing a book for my children about their ancestors. They are not interested in their history now, but perhaps they or their children will be. This book is to hedge against my inability to assist them whenever that happy day comes.

Every year I focus on a new generation to research and improve it. Every month I set myself subtasks within that generation.

For June, I am focusing more on writing a quality biographical sketch.

I tried several AI tools, including ChatGPT and Claude (another writing assistant), but Claude gave me the most actionable feedback.

  1. Create a style sheet. You may choose the format of your choice, of course; perhaps it will be The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, The Register, or The American Genealogist. Whichever you choose, there will probably be guidelines for prospective authors. You can point AI to those guidelines. I asked it:

Create a style sheet for a biographical sketch in genealogy. Lean toward the format discussed in https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/writing-nygb-record

2. Run your sketch through that style sheet. I asked it:

Using this style sheet, suggest improvements for: <insert your sketch>

I will warn you, Claude was brutal. It gave suggestions in these areas, for example:

  • Major Issues to Address
  • Suggested Revision
  • Technical Corrections Needed
  • Missing Elements to Add
  • Critical Changes Needed
  • Research suggestions

Here’s a screenshot:

Each item included detailed explanations and suggestions, not just vague critiques.

And finally, take a look at my improved Malvina Hendell sketch.

Before:

After:

The rewrite read tighter, more professional, and far more historically grounded. Even I was impressed. I have been doing AI for a while now, and this really WOWed me. I made a note to go back and redo earlier generations in my book as well, it was that good.

Try it! It’s like having a no-nonsense editor on call—who never sleeps. Try it and let me know how it works for your writing.

52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 24 – Artistic

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Prompt: “The theme for Week 24 is “Artistic.” Is there a painter, crafter, quilter, knitter, crocheter, or musician in the family? This is their week.”

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 24: Artistic

Introduction

I was a computer science major in college. This is, in part, because I have no artistic talent whatsoever. My drawings look like modern art—unintentionally. But I grew up knowing that my grandfather’s sister, Lydia Coral West (1888–1944), was an artist – my grandparents had a still life oil painting of hers hanging in their house.

Discussion

I was recently reminiscing with my uncle about our memories of the family, and it turns out he had a charcoal drawing that Aunt Lydia did of my grandfather (his father) when he was small. He offered the drawing to me and of course, I jumped at the opportunity! It’s dated 12/31/1914. I quickly got a custom frame, and I proudly display it in my home—with a detailed note on the back explaining the artist, subject, and provenance, of course.

Figure 1 My grandfather, age 7, as drawn by his sister

Well, I may have no artistic talent, but I can appreciate this century-old portrait of a man I loved well.

How AI can help

Even if you can’t paint like Aunt Lydia, AI tools can help you see your artistic ancestors more clearly:

  • Restoring Images: Try AI tools like MyHeritage Photo Enhancer or Hotpot.ai to sharpen old photos of artworks or portraits.
  • Detecting Watermarks or Signatures: AI-based image analysis tools can help uncover faint or hidden artist marks on old paintings.
  • Identifying Art Styles: Upload artwork to platforms like Google Arts & Culture to see if it resembles specific art movements or periods.
  • Family Storytelling: Use ChatGPT or Sudowrite to help you write a story or caption from the artist’s point of view for creative flair.

Challenge:

  1. Find an artwork, piece of sheet music, or handmade item created by an ancestor. Use AI to enhance a photo of it.
  2. Write a fictional letter or diary entry from your artistic ancestor using AI assistance. What might Aunt Lydia have said about drawing her little brother?

Summary

Even if we aren’t artists ourselves, we can still honor the creatives in our family tree. Lydia Coral West may not have had a gallery opening, but her work hangs proudly in my home—and her legacy lives on through stories, images, and a little digital help.

Further Resources

  • MyHeritage Photo Enhancer: Sharpen and colorize old family photos and artwork for clearer details.
    myheritage.com/photo-enhancer
  • Hotpot AI Tools: Offers image restoration and background removal—useful for isolating and enhancing old sketches or crafts.
    hotpot.ai
  • Google Arts & Culture: Explore art styles and historical context by comparing your ancestor’s work with museum collections.
    artsandculture.google.com
  • Sudowrite: An AI-powered writing tool that helps generate creative writing, fictional letters, and ancestor storytelling ideas.
    sudowrite.com

Next Week’s Topic: “FAN Club” – it’s time to look beyond your ancestor and into their Friends, Associates, and Neighbors.

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.

52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 23: Wedding bells

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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 23: Wedding bells

Framed with Love: Ancestral Weddings Remembered

Introduction

Weddings are so special, aren’t they? They just get me all verklempt (“overcome with emotion,” courtesy of Yiddish and the Oxford dictionary). One of the first records genealogists grab for are marriage licenses—oh boy, they can be treasure troves. Parents’ names! Dates! The good ones pack six ancestor names and multiple locations into a single document. Jackpot.

Discussion

This week, though, I’m thinking less about the record and more about the moment. You may recall from last week’s post—my son is getting married. His bride suggested a “wedding photos” table, and you know I couldn’t resist diving into the archives.

I had the best time pulling old family wedding photos from my (somewhat chaotic but searchable) digital files, printing them out, and slipping them into frames. Of course, each frame got a caption on the back: who’s who, the year, and how they’re related to the groom. I felt like a curator of love stories.

As I packed them for the trip, I thought about the marriages I still haven’t found, and the one I just found—an 1899 record that finally popped up after years of being offline. There’s something satisfying about knowing these people are going with us, remembered and seen, even if only in 8×10 frames.

Five wedding photos of my son's ancestors

Figure 1 The wedding photos of my son’s ancestors

How AI can help

That 1899 marriage wasn’t online until it suddenly was. The internet changes faster than a wedding dress design trend. What’s offline one year might be searchable the next.

That’s where AI helps. Tools like Google’s Gemini or Microsoft’s Researcher can help sniff out newly digitized marriage records—whether tucked into a small county archive’s catalog or buried in a church’s scanned register.

Try asking a chatbot:

“What resources can I check for a Lutheran marriage in Michigan around 1890?”

You might discover something you didn’t even know to look for —from database leads to specific archives you hadn’t considered. AI can’t do the research for you, but it can absolutely help point you in new directions.

Summary

Weddings remind us not just of love, but of connection—between past and present, stories and records. Whether it’s a long-lost marriage license or a cherished photo in a wedding display, our ancestors show up when we make space for them. And sometimes, AI gives us just the nudge we need.

Further Resources

Next week’s topic: “Artistic.“

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.

52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 22: Reunion

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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 22: Reunion

Wedding Reunion: A New Branch Blooms on the Family Tree

Introduction

As my son prepares to say “I do,” our family is experiencing more than just a wedding—it’s a heartfelt reunion. Relatives we haven’t seen in years are gathering, stories are resurfacing, and we’re welcoming new members into our ever-growing family tree.

Discussion

Weddings have long been memorable milestones in family histories. They mark the union of two individuals and the merging of families, traditions, and stories. In our case, this wedding has become a catalyst for reconnecting with distant relatives, reminiscing about shared memories, and creating new ones.

The ceremony will honor traditions passed down through generations, from the choice of location (I find myself smiling, knowing their ceremony—and their future—will begin in the same state where my beloved grandparents now rest) to the inclusion of heirloom jewelry (note to self: dig it out!). These elements serve as tangible links to our ancestors, reminding us of the enduring nature of family bonds.

Even AI played its part in this celebration. It helped us select meaningful songs, draft welcome messages, and brainstorm ideas for guest bags—turning planning stress into a creative, even fun, experience.

How AI can help

We have certainly used AI plenty in planning the wedding. From assistance selecting special songs, to phrasing of welcome messages, to ideas for welcome bags, AI has been an indispensable companion throughout.

Figure 1 The happy couple, this January

Pictured: The soon-to-be newlyweds on a chilly January day—warming up for their summer celebration.

Summary

This might not be a deep dive into family history, but it’s rooted in the heart of it—family. And that’s what keeps us digging through records, right?

This wedding is more than a celebration of love; it’s a testament to the enduring strength of family connections. As we welcome new members into our family, we’re reminded of the importance of preserving our shared history and cherishing the moments that bring us together.

Further Resources

Next week’s topic: “Wedding Bells.“

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.

52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 21: Military

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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 21: Military

Three Wars, Four Stories: A Family’s Legacy of Service

Introduction

It starts with a name on a gravestone. Or an old photo of a young man in uniform. My family’s military story stretches across nearly 200 years, from militia musters to wartime telegrams and folded flags.

This post is about four relatives—each touched by military service—whose lives reflect how war, and the people who fight it, have changed over time.

Discussion

Part I: The Militiaman (Revolutionary War)

Henry Denny (1758-1839) wasn’t a soldier, not in the professional sense. He was a hatter with a musket and a sense of duty. My Revolutionary War ancestor served in the local militia, answering the call when British troops threatened their region. His records are sparse—a muster roll here, a pension application there—but they remind me that early American soldiers were ordinary citizens first, reluctantly drawn into extraordinary times.

Henry Denny served “during the whole of said [Revolutionary] war,”[1] according to his son’s declaration for his father’s pension. He was a Sergeant in Captain John Outwater’s regiment in Bergen County, New Jersey and on one occasion “was wounded by a hessian rifleman”[2] and another time defended Hackensack when the enemy tried to burn it down. Outwater’s sons made depositions to Henry’s service, one of them saying, “Henry Denny and Sylvester Marius (now dead) were two men on whom he could depend … a faithful soldier”[3] and Outwater’s nephew stating that Henry “was brave and unflinching in the cause of his country, a clever, honest man, and a good soldier.”[4]

Figure 1 From Henry Denny’s pension file, not successful until Outwater’s records were located after Denny’s death.

Service then was seasonal, often local, and deeply tied to one’s community.

Part II: The Soldiers (Civil War), or, Patience’s sacrifice

Fast-forward nearly a century. Another ancestor, John Thomas West, husband of Patience Spiegle, wore Union blue, enlisted in the thick of the Civil War, and was posted to a prison camp: Johnson’s Island, in Ohio.

John served as a Private in Company C of the 128th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from Independence day in 1863 until after the war ended.

Figure 2 John Thomas West (1830-1924)

John lived to come home—but his brother in law did not.

Patience’s brother, William Speagles, enlisted in the 12th New Jersey as a Private on August 13, 1862 at the age of 17 (saying he was 18), an orphan. He marched, camped, and fought in places now etched in bronze plaques and field trip itineraries. He was wounded in Cold Harbor and died in a field hospital a week later. His belongings (clothing, thread needle roll, pictures, memorandum book, gold ring, gold pen holder, “Testament”) were sent to his sister Hannah. He was buried in the National Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia, but I believe he was reinterred to his home state at some point.

Figure 3 A casualty ledger showing William P. Speagles

This war was industrial, brutal, and personal. The letters home were fewer, the distances longer, and the weapons deadlier. These men were part of enormous, impersonal armies—but still deeply rooted in their towns and families.

Service had become more organized, more dangerous, and far less optional.

Part III: The Fallen Cousin (World War II)

He was just 24. A cousin whose name I only knew through whispered family stories until I found his records. Killed in action overseas in World War II, his death sent ripples that are still felt today. Unlike the earlier wars, this one pulled Americans onto a truly global stage. His body never came home, but his photograph, his name on a memorial, and the folded letter to his parents keep him present.

Private Robert J. Anderson (1920-1944), a first cousin to my grandfather, served in the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, which was one of the first on the beach on D-Day. Their backup didn’t make it, and they suffered heavy losses. After D-Day, they went across France, liberating the towns. It was in St. Lô that Robbie was killed. They say (source unknown):

The 29th took five weeks to reach St. Lo. Just before the final drive captured the city Maj. Thomas Howie, commander of the 3d Battalion, 116th Infantry, promised his men “I’ll see you [at] St. Lo.” He was killed immediately afterwards but General Gerhardt ordered the column to carry his body into the town square. A New York Times correspondent’s story of the incident immortalized the “Major of St. Lo.”

Robbie was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and is buried at the Brittany American Cemetery outside St. James, France.

Figure 4 Robbie’s burial site, kindly sent to me by the American Battle Monuments Commission

Service now meant a world war, mechanized death, and sacrifice at a scale families still struggle to reckon with.

Part IV: The Thread That Ties Them

Each of these relatives served in different wars, in different centuries, and under vastly different circumstances. But what unites them is a quiet sense of duty—not necessarily to “country” in the abstract, but to their neighbors, families, and values. The idea of service changed over time—from informal militias to massive military bureaucracies—but the personal cost never stopped being personal.

How AI can help

How AI Can Help With Military Research

Researching military ancestors used to mean squinting at microfilm or decoding government forms from 1863. Good news: AI can help with that—without stealing the fun of discovery.

Here are a few ways it lends a hand:

Translate That Handwriting

Found an old pension file or draft card full of spidery handwriting? AI tools can help transcribe or summarize these documents. You can even upload scans into some AI platforms and ask, “What is this telling me?”

Build a Timeline with background information

If your ancestor served across several battles or regiments, AI can help you turn scattered dates and places into a readable timeline—with historical context built in. Just feed it your notes, and ask for a summary. AI can give you quick background info so you don’t get lost in research rabbit holes.

I do need to mention Researcher here, which Microsoft revealed this month as part of Copilot. In my test runs, it does a great job starting your research.

Make Sense of the Story

Have some facts but not sure how to thread them into a narrative? AI can help you outline your blog post, suggest titles, or smooth out transitions—without rewriting your voice. You stay the storyteller. AI is the editor that never takes lunch.

Want to try it? Copy this into your notes:

“Here’s what I know about my ancestor who served in [war]. Can you help me understand what these records mean and how I might tell their story?”

You’ll be surprised by what unfolds.

Summary and challenge

From colonial militiaman to World War II casualty, my ancestors’ stories mirror the evolution of American military service. Their paths—marked by dusty muster rolls, battlefield graves, and pension papers—remind me that history isn’t abstract. It’s inherited.

Three wars. Four stories. One family.

Your Turn: Challenges for the Curious

Want to explore your own family’s military history?

Challenge 1:

Check Fold3.com or the free NARA archives for pension files, enlistment records, or draft cards. Even one document can tell a rich story.

Challenge 2:

Compare military service across generations in your family. How did roles, reasons, or outcomes differ? Make a simple timeline to trace the shift.

Next week’s topic: “Reunion.“

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.

[1] “Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files,” images online, footnote.com (https://www.fold3.com/file/16580523 : accessed 23-Sep-2008) page 3; citing The National Archives, M804, Washington, D. C..

[2] Ibid, page 8

[3] Ibid, page 14

[4] Ibid, page 18

52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 20: Wheels

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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 20: Wheels

“Wheels of Love: A Father’s Road Trips and an AI-Powered Bucket List”

Introduction

Wheels are at the very center of my relationship with my father, and wheels are how he got to act as a father for two decades.

Discussion

“Since my sisters and I were young, my father has made it clear that he was there for us, and he cared, no matter what. Can you imagine what that means to 2, 4 and 7-year-olds in the middle of a bitter divorce? …

“He still makes the every-other weekend trip to see my sisters, now 14 and 16, about a thousand miles each time. He threw his back out… but wouldn’t cancel the trip even then.” – me, in a letter written in 1986, nominating my father Bob Anderson for Single Parent of the Year[1]

Back in 1975, divorced fathers were Saturday fathers. My dad, though, fought the system. My mother had moved us more than 200 miles away and that was not a trip he could do every Saturday. It took him a year and a half, but he won the right to take us every other weekend. And he used it.

We typically went back to his place one weekend a month, and to his parents’ house the other.

From New York, we had road trip adventures during his two-week summer visitation. One year we drove up to Canada and camped throughout the eastern third of the country. Another year we had a camping trip down as far as North Carolina – coastal and the Blue Ridge mountains. We explored campgrounds closer to home like Massachusetts and New York. It’s funny; I don’t like camping, but those are the trips I remember best.

The literally hundreds of thousands of miles that Dad logged enabled us to know half our family. Not to mention the precious memories, sense of adventure, and the steady support we needed.

Much later on, Dad’s mom fell ill and Dad and I wanted to visit regularly. Dad said he was “burned out” from driving, so it was my privilege to bring him to her so they could spend her last months together.

How AI can help

Dad fueled my sense of adventure. “Inspired by those miles of memories, I recently asked myself: what kind of journeys do I want to take next — and who could help me plan them?

I wanted to create a bucket list — and turned to AI for help. I have in the past been impressed with Claude’s ability to plan a trip (see AI as a travel assistant) and I probably should have again, but I tried ChatGPT and am happy with it. I told it I anticipate having 20 years left, and would like to fulfill some dreams, in a three-part manner: I wanted adventures, I wanted to give back to the world, and I wanted to make genealogical contributions. The adventure part, where we’re focusing here, gave me an awesome first pass:

A first pass listing continents and adventures

I then specified that I wanted many continents, and a suggestion for each!

An iteration clarifying the continents breakdown

We added bonus goals (additional must-sees) and gardens (The 25 Gardens You Must See from The New York Times). We did a “starter plan” for years 1-3. We created a checklist and a pretty pdf book.

A starter plan for year 1 with a theme

This has inspired me to plan something for this year, as a start! There is no time to waste in living life!

Summary and challenge

“Adventures don’t begin when you pack your bags — they begin the moment you dare to dream them.”



In traveling, I feel I am honoring my father’s dedication to his family, as well as my ancestors’ drive to better their circumstances.

Your Turn:

Start iterating on your adventures! Make a bucket list or simply plan your next adventure. See the blog I linked about the travel assistant for some hand-holding on the latter.

Next week’s topic: “Military.“

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.

[1] Staten Island (New York) Advance, 21 Jun 1987, page D1, D3, cols. 1-6, “Weekend fathers”; imaged in “Newspapers,” database with images, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-weekend-fathers-pa/172583331/ and https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-weekend-fathers-p/172583422/ : accessed 17 May 2025).

52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 19: At the Library

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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 19: At the Library

Check This Out: Libraries, Family, and a Little Help from AI

Introduction

I’ve felt at home in the library for as long as I can remember. It’s a comfortable, non-judgmental environment where I can get transported to a world not my own, or learn how to do something new.

Discussion

Several good memories of mine happened in libraries.

When my divorced dad finally got weekend visitation, one of the activities he took us on was trips to the library. A newspaper photographer caught me searching in the card catalog (oh, boy, I wish I could find that photo!).

My first volunteer job was at my middle school library, putting books away. To this day, if I see a book misfiled in the library, I’ll furtively put it back in the proper spot according to the Dewey Decimal code on its spine.

We had a snail who left the tank’s water to lay eggs, which had us worried. I checked a book about pet care out of the library, and wrote the author with a question about my weird snail. How thrilling it was to hear back! (She didn’t know, but the thrill was hearing back! – and it turned out Mama Snail knew what she was doing.)

When I had children, I hyped them up to get their own library cards. As soon as they could print their names, they were eligible—and you better believe we got them cards when they were each four years old!

I care for my young granddaughter some days, and enjoy bringing her to the library so she can choose a board book which I’ll read to her.

Without really thinking about it, I helped to carry on the tradition of family bonding at the library to at least the fourth generation.

How AI can help

I track my reading on Goodreads, and have done so since I inadvertently started a book I’d already completed. This turned out to be very helpful for recommendations. Here’s what I did:

  • I exported my 5-star reads from Goodreads.
  • I shared them with ChatGPT using this prompt…

Consider the attached list of books that I have read and highly rated. What books would you recommend I read?

  • ChatGPT replied with personalized recommendations…

Summary and challenge

Books are deeply personal. What matters most is that they speak to you. This week, I invite you to pass on a love of the library—or rediscover it yourself—and let AI help you uncover your next great read.

Your Turn:

Determine who you’d like to get to the library – yourself? A family member? Get a library card and use AI’s help for book recommendations.

Little one’s first visit to a library

Next week’s topic: “Wheels.“

Disclosure

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

52 AI Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 18: Institutions

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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 18: Institutions

Introduction

As Amy Johnson Crow pointed out, “institutions” can mean many things. For me, the word instantly calls to mind the high value my family places on education.

Discussion

My mother’s brother prides himself on being the first in the family to graduate from college (note to self: email Uncle and ask where he attended).

My father was also the first in his line; he went to St. John’s University. His family wasn’t well off — I later learned he attended on a full scholarship. When I spoke to the university, they told me it was probably through the Catholic Scholars program: one full ride per Catholic high school in New York City. I wish Dad had bragged a little about that!

He raised us with a strong emphasis on education; “keep your options open” was a saying I heard often, and he firmly believed education was the way to do that. Two of his three children earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Today, I work in the Worldwide Learning organization at my employer, and my son is a high school teacher, about to marry a primary school teacher.

The force runs strong in this line.

What was your family’s take on education?

How AI can help

One addition to my bucket list is to create a scholarship, possibly in my dad’s name at his alma mater. While I hesitated, the cost of an endowment doubled. Time to get serious!

Here’s how AI can help with the process:

  • Research scholarship programs: AI can compare endowed scholarship requirements across universities.
  • Gather qualification criteria: AI can collect eligibility standards to help shape the scholarship.
  • Draft proposals: AI can suggest wording for scholarship descriptions and application processes.
  • Organize comparisons: AI can create tables showing costs, donation requirements, and benefits.

Summary and challenge

What’s holding me back? I want to take advantage of my employer’s matching funds, but I’m not sure how to set it up. My plan:

  1. Use AI to research scholarship structures and matching fund options.
  2. Contact the university to confirm current endowment requirements.
  3. Reach out to my employer’s HR or charitable giving department for advice.

“A scholarship endowment is more than a donation; it’s a promise to future dreamers that someone believes in their journey.”

Thanks to ChatGPT for that quote!

Figure 1 My son attended my Master’s graduation!

Your Turn:

What “institutions” have shaped your family story? Education, religion, military service? I’d love to hear about it.

Next week’s topic: “At the Library.“

Disclosure

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