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.