Tracing Roots

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword — it’s transforming the way we research family history. From deciphering faded parish records to building family trees automatically, AI is becoming one of the most powerful tools in genealogy.

But how do you actually use AI for researching ancestors in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland?

This guide breaks it down clearly — practical tools, ethical warnings, and step-by-step ways you can use AI to improve your results (without replacing real research).

What Can AI Help You Do in Genealogy?

AI is proving especially useful in five areas:

AI Capability	How It Helps Genealogists
Handwriting recognition (HTR)	Reads and transcribes old parish registers, wills, and census forms.
Photo repair & colourisation	Restores old family photos automatically.
Record search suggestions	Predicts which historical records may match your ancestor.
Automated tree-building	Connects people in records into family tree structures (e.g. Ancestry’s “Tree Builder” or MyHeritage’s “Theory of Family Relativity”).
Translation from Latin, Welsh, Scots Gaelic, etc.	Converts old record languages to English, instantly.

AI Tools You Can Use Right Now (UK & Ireland Focus)

AI Tool or Platform	Best For	Notes
Ancestry AI (Beta)	Drafting ancestor life summaries from records & trees.	Works well but needs fact-checking.
MyHeritage AI Record Matching & DeepStory	Finds record matches + creates narrated ancestor stories.	Good for photo repair too.
FamilySearch Full-Text AI Search	Locates ancestors in unindexed text (wills, deeds, tax lists).	Free and improving rapidly.
Transkribus	AI handwriting transcription for UK parish records & wills.	Used by archives; free for small uploads.
Google Gemini / ChatGPT	Interpreting confusing records, translating Latin, writing ancestor biographies.	Must never be used as a “source” — only a helper.
MyHeritage Photo Enhancer & Colourise	Restores blurry, damaged photos.	Stunning for old wedding or military photos.

How to Use AI in Your Research — Step-by-Step

Perfect for Welsh, Scottish kirk sessions, Latin parish entries or hard-to-read handwriting.

1. Transcribe Old Records Faster

Try this:

• Upload a clear image to Transkribus → choose “English/Latin Handwriting Model”.
• Or paste the text into ChatGPT/Gemini and ask:
• “Transcribe this parish record and explain any abbreviations.”

2. Ask AI to Explain Confusing Records

Example prompt to ChatGPT:

“Explain what this means in plain English: ‘Banns published and marriage solemnised by Rev. Evan Price in the parish of Llantrisant, Glamorgan, 23 March 1824. Witnesses: David Jones and Margaret Rees.’”

It won’t replace your analysis — but it speeds up understanding.

3. Repair & Recolour Family Photos

Using MyHeritage’s Photo Enhancer or Colourise AI:

• Upload the image → AI will sharpen faces, remove cracks & add natural colour.
• Perfect for blog posts, family books, or framed prints.

4. Build Hypotheses, Not Facts

You can safely ask AI to suggest ancestor connections, but always verify.

Example prompt:

“Create a possible family group for John McLeod born 1820 in Inverness, based on Scottish naming patterns and census logic.”

Use it as a clue — never as proof.

AI Pitfalls — Don’t Get Caught Out

Risk	How to Avoid It
AI invents facts (“hallucinations”)	Always verify with parish registers, census, BMD records.
Overwriting original family photos	Save untouched originals separately.
Privacy risks	Never upload living relatives’ DNA or sensitive documents.
AI-written biographies without sources	Use AI to draft, then add citations manually.

Final Thoughts

AI won’t replace genealogists — but genealogists who use AI will work faster than those who don’t.

Used correctly, it can:

• ✔ Transcribe old handwriting in seconds.
• ✔ Enhance photos you thought were lost.
• ✔ Suggest record connections you might have missed.
• ✔ Bring ancestor stories to life — faster.

But always remember: AI is a tool, not evidence. You are still the researcher.