Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept—it is here, and it’s changing the way we uncover our roots. In our latest episode of the Legacy Tree Podcast, we sat down with genealogy educator Lisa Louise Cooke and senior researcher Kristin Britanik to separate AI fact from fiction.
Efficiency is the New Expertise
The biggest takeaway? AI isn’t a replacement for the genealogist; it’s the ultimate assistant. Kristin shared how a task that once took a week in Excel—comparing 1820 and 1830 census records to find migration patterns—now takes mere minutes with the help of a Large Language Model (LLM).
3 Tips for Using AI in Your Research
Don't Be Too Polite: Surprisingly, research shows you get better results when you are direct and firm with AI. It’s not a friend; it’s a tool. Keep a professional “guardrail” to remain objective about its outputs.
Verify, Verify, Verify: AI can “hallucinate” or create plausible-sounding but false information. Always treat AI-generated findings as hints to be verified against primary sources.
Use the “Magic Wand” for Prompts: Tools like Google Gemini can help you craft better prompts. If you aren't getting what you need, ask the AI: “How should I rephrase this prompt to get the best genealogy research plan?”
The Human Element Remains
As Lisa noted, the “thrill of the hunt” is what keeps us coming back. While AI can summarize a 100-page document or create a locality guide, the emotional connection and final proofing remain firmly in human hands.
Ready to break through your brick wall with the latest tech? Work with our team at Legacy Tree Genealogists.
Have bogged down, trying to find my liniage, grand father died young , grandmother married again
Maternal side largely unknown, any ideas please.
Hello Terry! Thanks for commenting, someone from our team will reach out to see how we can assist you!
How much of Sri Lankan genealogy has been done?
Hello! Someone from our team will reach out to see how we can assist you!
I rarely use gen AI, given the huge environmental cost, plus, I like challenging my brain. Also, despite very specific prompts, the few times I’ve tried, I’ve received mostly hallucinated responses. And then there’s the fact many of my author friends had their work stolen to train the various LLMs.
Hi Teresa! Thank you for sharing your perspective—you raise several thoughtful and important concerns. Questions around environmental impact, accuracy, and the ethical use of creative work are very real, and it’s understandable to approach generative AI with caution. We also value the importance of critical thinking and hands-on research, especially in fields like genealogy where careful analysis and original records matter so much. We appreciate you adding your voice to this conversation—it’s through open dialogue like this that these tools can be examined responsibly and thoughtfully.