As part of my ABC Biography process, I enjoy exploring creative ways to bring an ancestor’s story to life beyond the written page. For this project, I used a combination of ChatGPT, Suno.com, Google Notebook LM, and Canva to transform a traditional genealogy narrative into two short videos—a song and an audio overview.
The process begins with a narrative report created in RootsMagic. While these reports are rich in detail and essential for documentation, they aren’t always engaging to read from start to finish. What they are, however, is excellent raw material. With the help of AI tools, those same facts can be reshaped into music, visuals, and audio storytelling that make an ancestor’s life feel more immediate and relatable.
Song
For the song, I asked ChatGPT to write lyrics based on the narrative report, then created a custom background image designed specifically for video. Suno.com transformed the lyrics into a song, and Canva brought the visuals and audio together into a video, which I’ve shared on YouTube below.
Audio Overview
For the audio overview, I uploaded the same narrative report into Google Notebook LM. From there, I generated both an audio summary and a companion infographic. Using Canva, I combined those elements into a second video, which is also embedded below.
My great-grandfather, Hiram Miles Currey, led an interesting—and at times unusual—life. Through these two videos, his story moves beyond dates and places and becomes something you can hear, see, and experience in a new way.
SONG: Miles of His Name
Audio Overview: The Life and TImes of Hiram Miles Currey
These videos are not meant to replace the written ABC Biography, but to complement it. Together, the narrative, song, and audio overview offer different ways to connect with Hiram Miles Currey’s life and legacy. For me, this process turns a traditional genealogy report into something more personal and memorable, helping ensure that my great-grandfather’s story is not only documented, but also shared in ways that future generations may be more inclined to explore and enjoy.