Picture the Past: An Introduction to AI Images for Family Historians

Learn how to use artificial intelligence to help find important family information, understand old documents, and craft compelling family stories to support your family history research. This webinar will introduce you to the best uses of AI in genealogy today and give a peek behind the curtain of what genealogists can look forward to from AI advancements in 2026.

Dive into the intersection of cutting-edge AI technology and traditional genealogy methods. Our panel of experts will discuss practical applications, ethical challenges, and the future of AI in family history research, empowering you to harness its potential responsibly. Panelists include Andrew Redfern, Blaine Bettinger, Diana Elder, Mark Thompson, Steve Little, and Thomas MacEntee.

Discover how artificial intelligence can revolutionise your approach to family history in this engaging webinar. We’ll explore ten practical applications of AI, from streamlining research and automating transcription tasks to enhancing the way you share stories and findings. This session will demonstrate how AI can save time, increase accuracy, and open up new possibilities in genealogical research. Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or looking to enhance your current practices, this webinar will provide you with practical examples to integrate AI into your family history projects.

This practical session offers a detailed look at integrating AI into your genealogical research planning workflow. We'll explore AI-powered tools that can assist with each step of the planning process: clarifying research objectives, analyzing and summarizing known facts, generating hypotheses based on existing data, expanding your list of potential sources, and creating an optimized research strategy. Learn how to use AI to save time, reduce oversight, and create more robust research plans while maintaining control over your genealogical process.

Explore the cutting-edge world of Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs) and their applications in family history in this innovative webinar. You’ll learn about the various GPT models available, how they can be utilised to enhance your genealogical research, and the benefits they offer in terms of efficiency and creativity. The session will also provide a guide on how to create your own GPT tailored to your family history needs, from data preparation to fine-tuning the model. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or new to AI, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools to leverage GPTs in uncovering and preserving your family’s stories.

Writing about your genealogy research can be challenging. Assembling genealogical conclusions requires time, persistence, and dedication. Learn how generative AI tools can help - whether you're writing a biography, research report, or proof argument. Tools like ChatGPT and Claude can turn research logs into reports and timelines into narrative. Providing text to the AI tools help increase accuracy and limit errors. Generative AI tools can increase your writing efficiency, but your personal style may be lost. Learn how to maintain your unique voice while increasing productivity. We will also discuss when to disclose writing assistance from AI tools and how to cite them.

Learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to assist in translating, transcribing, and summarizing a variety of genealogy records. A handwritten baptismal record from the 1800s? No problem. A faded newspaper obituary? No problem. We’ll cover the best AI platforms as well as how to craft a solid prompt to get you the results you need.

Hand-written text recognition software can turn manuscripts into searchable transcriptions. Learn how to use these tools and what they can (and cannot) do for you. The presentation includes a demonstration of Transkribus.

Building on our previous exploration of AI in genealogy, this webinar showcases more advanced techniques for harnessing AI’s power in family history. We’ll cover sophisticated methods for data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling, showing you how to take your family history research to the next level. You’ll also learn about cutting-edge AI tools and how to apply them to uncover hidden connections and insights within your family tree. Ideal for those who are already familiar with basic AI applications, this session will expand your toolkit with innovative approaches to family history research.