Are you using Artificial Intelligence in your genealogy research or blogging?
I follow several people who are leaders in the AI field. They share detailed explanations and fairly complex prompts. While I enjoy learning from them, my own approach is much simpler.
For about a year now, I’ve been using ChatGPT regularly while working on my blog. My two most common prompts are probably:
Transcribe
and
Can you improve (my writing)
That’s it.
Short. Direct. Practical.
A Real Example: Clinton K. Wells Probate File
Recently, I uploaded a PDF copy of the probate file for Clinton K. Wells of Eaton County, Michigan. My original plan was straightforward: I simply wanted a transcription so I could include it in a Friday Find post.
But something interesting happened.
After completing the transcription, ChatGPT suggested additional ways the document could be used. That simple upload turned into a conversation — and that conversation produced far more than I expected.
Here are the prompts that followed:
- Can you create a clean genealogical abstract?
- I want to use this in a Friday Find blog post… can you help write it?
- Can you create an “Evidence Explained” citation for this probate file?
- Can you format the transcription for a Research Notes section on a WikiTree profile?
Each time, ChatGPT responded with structured, usable content tailored to my workflow.
From One PDF to Multiple Research Assets
From a single PDF probate file, I ended up with:
- A complete transcription
- A clean genealogical abstract
- A polished Friday Find blog post
- A properly formatted WikiTree Research Notes section
- An Evidence Explained–style citation
That’s five research outputs from one document.
And none of the prompts were complicated.
AI as a Research Assistant
I don’t use AI to replace my research. I use it as a research assistant.
It doesn’t decide relationships.
It doesn’t build my tree.
It doesn’t replace analysis.
What it does do is:
- Save time
- Organize information
- Improve clarity
- Format material for different platforms
- Help me think through how to present findings
In other words, it helps me share my research more effectively.
Simple Prompts. Real Results.
You don’t need complex programming-style prompts to benefit from AI in genealogy.
Sometimes all it takes is:
Transcribe.
And then, a willingness to continue the conversation.