You CAN use ChatGPT for genealogy (with accuracy)! Here's how

Despite ChatGPT horror stories, you *can* use it successfully for your genealogy! Here's how to use it and avoid the pitfalls.

📙 Amy's book "31 Days to Better Genealogy" is available on Amazon:
(Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

#genealogy #familyhistory #chatgpt

[mareeevans]

I use a very clear prompt for what I want to write and then include the fact list report from my genealogy software. This is one I use a lot as I am currently writing a book for relatives, and it does a pretty good job. You always have to edit and make adjustments but it is such a great starting place.

You are a family historian writing a book to share what you have researched about your ancestors and any interesting members of the family. You are writing this book as a set of individual biographies rather than a single story. You are aiming to write this book to engage members of the family that are not overly interested in family history so you want to use an engaging narrative style of writing telling the story of each person rather than just a list of dates and places and dry facts.

It is ok to give historical context, make some fair assumptions about what they may have been thinking or why they may have acted a certain way, and use the research to paint a picture of the person for the reader, but you MUST NOT add erroneous facts or just make stuff up. Everything you say must be based on the researched information and historical context.

[katheyfarley]

I am going to try this right away. I have been doing genealogy for years, and I've been wanting to write my ancestors' stories but it is very laborious. Thank you so much for bringing this to the genealogy community. The charting aspect is useful too. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[s.wilson]

Thank you for this. Ive been doing genealogical research for over 25 yrs and this is new info to me. Thank you again

[ShineKelly]

Amy! This was an excellent and useful explanation of chatGPT, its workings and applications. I know you have done it in a family history context but the way you have presented it has supported my understanding of why this is such a hot topic in education right now where there is debate around chatGPT being a positive or negative resource for students. Lots of fear and misunderstanding can be eased by what you have explained and show to be a powerful tool with wide spread applications. Great job!! I will be recommending this video to my non-genealogy work mates to share these insights with them (as well as being a family history geek I also work in education in New Zealand) Thank you!

[leegreen]

Wow! I just started searching for information about getting into genealogy and this is the first video that 'took my fancy'. I've also been looking heavily into Chat Gpt purely out of interest. Your video was not only very informative regarding genealogy, but also a massive eye opener about Chat Gpt!. Thank you very much

[annefarrington]

Amy Johnson Crow! You are THE BEST. Thanks so much for addressing this topic, and the helpful comments your video has elicited.

[RichBobo]

This is a terrific explanation that gives guidelines that are both specific to one type of use case - and general for any use! Bravo.

[digitlhand]

I’m a researcher in the field and this introduction was an excellent summary for the public.

[kathy_funk]

What an excellent video! I learned so much and it's really got the wheels turning in my brain now. I love the way you presented the information and how you gave concrete examples that we can learn from. Thank you! I've bookmarked this video and will return again and again.

[mareeevans]

Another really helpful use I have found for it is writing emails to send to family members or DNA matches that you want to collaborate with.

[jaymm]

Thank you for presenting this wonderful insight into what ChatGPT is and isn’t. I've been using it to help pull my stories together and using the right prompt is key. Im on a mission to get my stories done as age creeps up on me and time is running out. This is a quick way to get the story, then tweak it to suit my style and check the facts are correct. One still needs to edit, edit, edit. 😊

[phaeriestud]

Thank you for confirming what I had hoped is possible. Besides the genealogy tips, I appreciate the mini tutorial on ChatGPT, which helps me understand what it is and a better way to ask for help.

[petehealy]

Very, very interesting and helpful! Thank you!

[tw]

You just explained ChatGPT better than computer guys do.... excellent! Everything you explained is so spot on.

It is also good at writing, translating and correcting small chunks of computer code. I think that might be what it is still best at.

Your advice is so good.... hope everyone takes it. ChatGPT can be a big time saver in some instances.

[dmh]

best explanation I’ve seen of how to approach chatgpt for nontechnical users. Very concise and accurate l

[MrHEAVYi]

Thank you, this was great and easy to understand!

[deborjhablackwell]

Beautifully explained! Thank you so very much!

[evfusion]

A great video with some excellent ideas. Thank you Amy.

[aaronag]

Excellent video and great advice about ChatGPT being a tool and you need to check the facts and date it gives it. Learning how to "Prompt" correctly and with the right commands is key. Just starting my own family trace, so this was a great help. Thanks. New Sub and bell set.

[joyce]

Thank you so much Amy. I want to do this with my ancestors as children for my grandchildren. I didn't know where to begin so now I have an idea.