From Data to Dialogue with AI 3 of 5: Creating Visuals—Images, Charts, and Timelines
Andrew Redfern, Fiona Brooker
Content
About this webinar
Turn structured research into stories, images, presentations, and shareable formats with AI. Advanced application of AI for publishing and presenting; includes image generation, storytelling prompts, visual outputs; activities include drafting, editing, and building presentations.
About the speakers
Key points and insights
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming family history, offering creative pathways to bring ancestral stories to life visually. In "From Data to Dialogue with AI: Session Three," presenters Fiona Brooker and Andrew Redfern explore the dynamic capabilities and practical pitfalls of using AI tools to produce images, infographics, timelines, and document enhancements. Rather than viewing technology as an infallible solution, the session demonstrates how genealogists can thoughtfully integrate AI into their research workflow to illustrate ancestral narratives while maintaining analytical judgment and ethical transparency.
- Regeneration Differs from True Restoration: AI tools fundamentally generate brand-new graphics based on training patterns rather than genuinely repairing original historical photographs. Genealogists must inspect outputs closely, as models can inadvertently alter facial features, modify clothing, or invent historical inaccuracies such as adding modern accessories or nonexistent wedding rings.
- Creative and Contextual Alternatives Offer Safer Visual Storytelling: Transforming modern location photos into stylized period formats—such as pencil sketches, engravings, or vintage-style drawings—allows researchers to evoke historical eras without misleading viewers. AI can also successfully clean up tombstone inscriptions, reconstruct missing heirloom descriptions, or build structured timeline charts from raw research data.
- Responsible Practice Requires Disclosure and Human Oversight: AI outputs often introduce subtle errors, from misplaced geographic landmarks to unexpected hallucinations. Genealogists should treat prompts as flexible starting points, cross-check historical context, clearly mark AI-generated media to maintain genealogical integrity, and remain ready to edit or blend visual elements manually when tools reach their limits.
To discover the exact prompt structures, side-by-side software comparisons, and live demonstrations shared during this engaging presentation, view the complete recorded webinar. Watching the full session provides practical context for navigating common design hurdles, avoiding repetitive error loops, and selecting the ideal AI platform for specific visual projects. Genealogists are also invited to explore the additional resources included in the session syllabus, which features ready-to-use prompt templates, workflow guides, and structured layout ideas designed to elevate family history storytelling.
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Comments (30)
A little while ago I asked ChatGPT to make me a map showing a few particular places. When it said it couldn't do that I asked why not. I can't remember the exact response but I think it said could not access the websites which had those maps e.g. the National Library of Scotland maps.
Excellent webinar. Lots of good information and timely warnings about the use of AI for images.
Andrew and Fiona gave the best description and examples of what AI does when you ask it to fix your photos. Thank you!
very useful. Discussion on the graphics and highlighting of small inconsistencies provided clarity more specifically.
Another spectacular session from Andrew and Fiona. This was a fun way to spend a Wednesday evening and learn more about the tips and pitfalls of image generation in AI tools. I am just sad that there are only two more sessions left in this series of webinars...it has gone by so fast! I hope Andrew and Fiona will be back in the future for more in-depth multi-webinar sessions like the 3 held this year. Thanks Andrew and Fiona! You are awesome!
Interesting, new ideas. I love using AI for genealogy research. Great ideas for the graphs. AI has created several great facsimilia pictures for different eras for use in my family binders. Yes, I totally give AI credit for the pictures as well as state these are not family member pictures. Thank you for the useful ideas.
Always an entertaining session. In particular, just how wrong AI can get an image. The quantity of errors almost begs for us to use a grid like proofreading process on created images, to identify errors that don’t initially jump off the page.
Fantastic presentation. I love that they "go live" or show actual examples of what they have tried. The slides are so helpful, as is the workbook. Practical, informative, but not overwhelming. Andrew and Fiona work well as a team. I appreciate them answering questions as they go rather than waiting until the end. It makes so much more sense to answer the question when you're talking about the subject. Excellent all round. Thank you both.