Hi Reader,

I'm loving the warmer days this month despite all the yellow pollen still covering my front porch. I've been indulging in my "other favorite" activities of running and cycling. Even better are the new trails that have opened up near me. 🏃‍♀️‍➡️🚲

Being outside always clears my head and often sparks new genealogy ideas. Speaking of new ideas, I've been exploring various AI tools and their uses for genealogy research over the past few months. Should AI be part of a genealogy toolkit?

Absolutely!

This week I'm excited to share what AI can and what it cannot do for your research.

📝NEW BLOG POST & 📽️YOUTUBE VIDEO

AI IN YOUR GENEALOGY TOOLKIT

Over the past couple of years, artificial intelligence has changed many fields, including genealogy research. As family historians, we may wonder if AI can really help us discover our great-grandmother’s maiden name or expand our family tree more efficiently. In the latest on blog post and YouTube video I am sharing what AI can and cannot do for your genealogy research.

Learn:

• How to use AI as your virtual genealogy assistant
• Four specific ways AI can enhance your research process
• The clear limitations of AI in genealogy work

📝Read the blog post: AI Won’t Find Your Great-Grandmother’s Maiden Name—But Here Are 4 Ways It Will Improve Your Family Research​

📽️Watch the Video: How AI Can and Cannot Help Your With Your Research​

🛍️IN THE SHOP

🧹 SPRING CLEANUP FOR YOUR FAMILY TREE: Genealogy Audit Special

Is your family research feeling a bit cluttered or overgrown? Now's the perfect time for some spring cleaning!

My Genealogy Audit service helps you identify gaps in your research, overcome stubborn brick walls, and develop a clear path forward. For the month of April, I'm offering a 🌷special spring discount on all audit packages.

Ready to refresh your research this spring?

🎙️NEW PASSING THE PLATE PODCAST EPISODE!

NEW PODCAST EPISODE!

This week on the Passing the Plate podcast, the tables are turned as I step into the guest seat! My co-host and food writer Ashley Covelli of Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen interviews me about my path into genealogy and food history.

In this episode, I share:

• The pivotal moments that shaped my career in genealogy
• How tracing family recipes sparked bigger historical questions
• Practical research tips you can apply to your own family history
• Why understanding our ancestors' lives through food adds rich context to genealogy

Listen now to discover how culinary heritage and family history naturally intertwine!

🎙️Listen in here: Website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.​

🌱 GENEALOGY TIP

QUICK AI IMPLEMENTATION IDEAS

Want to start using AI in your research right away? Here are three quick implementation ideas based on this week's content:

1. Try a research plan prompt: Copy this prompt into your AI platform of choice for an ancestor you're struggling with: "I need a comprehensive research plan for finding more information about [ancestor name] who was born around [year] in [location] and died in [year/location]. I already know [list 2-3 key facts]. I need specific record types to search, repositories to explore, and a step-by-step approach. Please organize this as a practical research plan I can follow." Tailor the prompt with your specific details and watch as AI helps structure your approach.
2. Seek social history context: Use this prompt to gain valuable historical context: "Describe the daily life, economic conditions, education opportunities, and common occupations for a [ethnicity/nationality] [man/woman] living in [specific location] between [time period]. Include major historical events that would have affected their lives, common challenges they faced, and what records these circumstances might have generated." This context can suggest new record sources and explain migration patterns or life choices.
3. Start small: Try this simple prompt to test AI's helpfulness: "I have a death certificate for my ancestor showing they died of [cause of death] in [year] in [location]. What might this cause of death tell me about their life? What additional records might exist related to this condition? Are there any local historical events that might connect to this cause of death?" This focused question can yield surprisingly useful insights without overwhelming you with information.

🌱 SPRING RESEARCH TOOLKIT

UPDATE YOUR GENEALOGY TOOLKIT!

Looking to enhance your research this spring? Here are some valuable resources I've been using lately:

• ​Newspapers.com - An extensive digital newspaper archive with thousands of publications dating back to the 1700s.
• ​FamilySearch Catalog - A comprehensive directory of genealogical materials including many unindexed collections not available through standard searches.
• Local Historical Societies - Often house unique local records, photographs, and manuscripts that aren't available through major genealogy websites.
• ​Ancestry's Networks - A NEW collaborative feature that helps you understand and incorporate your ancestor's social connections into your research.
• ​MyHeritage's Cousin Finder - Discover new-to-you cousins who might have the family information your line missed.

If you haven't revisited these resources lately or tried the new ones, you might be surprised at the new collections and features they've added in recent months!

Whether you're trying to integrate AI tools into your workflow or facing a stubborn brick wall, sometimes a fresh perspective makes all the difference. Let's tackle your genealogy challenges together this spring.

Happy Ancestor Hunting!

Lisa

P.S. What's one genealogy question or task you'd like to ask AI to help with? Reply to this email and let me know—I might feature some responses in a future YouTube video.
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Lisa Lisson Genealogy Researcher, Author & Speaker