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

Discover how cutting-edge artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way genealogists connect with their ancestors in the engaging and forward-thinking webinar, Picture the Past: An Introduction to AI Images for Family Historians. Presented by Steve Little and Mark Thompson, this session explores the exciting frontier where generative AI and family history intersect. By demonstrating how text-to-image tools can visualize historical scenes and ancestral environments, the presenters offer a compelling look at how modern technology can deepen our connection to the past—even when no photos exist.

Key Takeaways:

• Harnessing Generative AI to Visualize History: The webinar showcases how AI image generators such as DALL·E, MidJourney, Grok, and Gemini can transform simple text prompts into vivid historical imagery. From rustic cabins in 1850s Appalachia to photorealistic farm scenes in 1880s Ontario, attendees learn to create visuals that evoke the time, place, and atmosphere of their ancestors’ lives—even in eras predating photography.
• Responsible and Realistic Image Creation: A strong emphasis is placed on ethical image generation. The speakers advocate clearly labeling AI-generated images to avoid confusion in future research and caution against presenting them as authentic historical photographs. Best practices, including citing the model used and date of creation, help maintain genealogical integrity.
• Advanced Prompting and Editing Techniques: Attendees gain practical insights into refining prompts and using built-in editing tools to modify or improve AI-generated images. From enhancing historical accuracy to overcoming common challenges (like garbled text or anatomical errors), the webinar provides strategies to make images both meaningful and visually compelling. The presenters even demonstrate how to combine AI output with simple editing tools like PowerPoint for final touches.

Whether you're seeking to breathe life into an ancestor's story or simply explore the creative possibilities of AI in genealogy, this webinar offers a valuable foundation. To see these powerful techniques in action and start building your own historically inspired visuals, be sure to view the full webinar recording.

Additionally, don't miss the syllabus provided with the session—packed with tool recommendations, practical tips, and further resources to help you integrate AI imagery into your research responsibly and effectively. Dive deeper into the potential of artificial intelligence to enrich your genealogical storytelling.