One of the most exciting aspects of today’s AI tools is the ability to present family history in a variety of engaging formats.
Recently, I used my documented narrative report about my great-grandfather, Judson Foster Crawford, as the basis for a Google NotebookLM Audio Overview. The AI-generated narration summarizes Judson’s life—from his years working for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway to the family he helped raise. Using Canva, I paired that audio with historical-themed visuals to create a video, which is now available on YouTube.
Judson Foster Crawford at a Glance
The infographic provides a quick overview of Judson’s life and railroad career, while the audio overview adds a conversational summary of his story. Together, they offer two different ways to experience the same documented family history.
Watch the Audio Overview
Although the narration and visuals were created with AI tools, the underlying story comes from documented genealogical research. I see tools like NotebookLM and Canva not as replacements for research, but as new ways to share that research with family members and others who enjoy local and family history.
I hope you enjoy this audio overview of Judson Foster Crawford and perhaps find inspiration to explore new ways of sharing your own family stories.