From Research to Writing: AI Tools for Genealogists

In an engaging and forward-thinking webinar presented during the 24-Hour Genealogy Marathon, professional genealogist Nicole Dyer shared transformative strategies for using artificial intelligence (AI) in genealogical research and writing. Titled "From Research to Writing: AI Tools for Genealogists," the session offered a comprehensive look at how large language models like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity can streamline, enhance, and inspire genealogical writing. Dyer, known for her practical resources at FamilyLocket.com and the Research Like a Pro podcast, demonstrated how AI can assist with everything from overcoming writer’s block to crafting compelling ancestor biographies—without losing personal voice or scholarly rigor.

• AI as a Writing Assistant, Not a Replacement: Dyer emphasized using AI as a supportive tool, especially for creating outlines, generating narrative drafts, and transforming research logs and timelines into readable reports. By training the AI on one’s unique writing style and providing source-based data, genealogists can maintain accuracy and voice while increasing efficiency.
• Tool Comparisons and Ethical Usage: A thorough breakdown of features across platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity highlighted differences in context window sizes, reasoning models, and data privacy. Ethical considerations were addressed with clear recommendations on disclosing AI-generated content and citing tools appropriately, in line with best practices suggested by experts like Elizabeth Shown Mills.
• Hands-On Examples and Advanced Features: Demonstrations included generating biographies, research reports, and proof arguments using AI, along with leveraging markdown formatting for footnotes and citations. Dyer showcased how to preserve individual writing style using custom bots and provided practical editing workflows through side-by-side interfaces and markdown plugins for Google Docs and Microsoft Word.

Be sure to explore the detailed syllabus accompanying the session, which includes comparison charts, prompt templates, and additional reading. Whether you're a novice or experienced genealogist, the resources shared by Nicole Dyer offer actionable steps to elevate your research and storytelling with the help of AI.