Telling Sarah’s Story Through Song
Have you been following Randy Seaver and his use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? If so, you may have noticed that he often creates songs about his ancestors.
I’ll admit—at first, I wondered why.
Why a song? Why not just tell the story?
And then I created one.
And then another.
And somewhere along the way, I realized something I hadn’t expected—these songs don’t just tell a story. They feel like the story. More than once, I’ve found myself listening… and tearing up. There’s something about hearing the words set to music that brings an ancestor’s life into sharper focus in a way the written word sometimes can’t.
Sarah’s Story, Set to Music
Below is a song inspired by the life of Sarah Ellen (Ralston) Hammond—a woman whose story spans Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas, and whose life was marked by both family and faith.
The process behind the song is one I’ve come to use regularly:
- The lyrics and cover image were created using ChatGPT
- The audio was generated using Suno
- The final video—combining image and music—was created in Canva
Each step builds on the last, turning research into something you can both see and hear.
“Peace Be Still”
Why This Matters
As genealogists, we spend so much time gathering facts—names, dates, places, documents. Those are essential. They form the foundation of our work.
But sometimes, it’s the storytelling—the human side—that brings those facts to life.
For me, these songs have become another way to connect with my ancestors. Not as names on a page, but as people who lived, struggled, believed, and endured.
And in Sarah’s case, her story—especially her long illness and deep faith—seems especially suited to music.
Final Thoughts
I’m beginning to understand why Randy creates these songs.
Because sometimes, the story needs more than words.
Sometimes… it needs a melody.