I came late to AI and genealogy, not really paying attention to it until the RootsTech 2024 Conference. In the following year, I watched a number of webinars on the subject and joined the Facebook groups; "Genealogy and Artificial Intelligence (AI)" and "AI Prompt Sharing".
It wasn't until March 2025 when I attended a webinar by John Beaumont that it finally clicked on how I could use AI as an aid in my genealogy research. John demonstrated how he used the Timeline, Sources, and Family sections from Ancestry.com to create a pdf that he copied and pasted in ChapGPT. He then gave it a prompt to have it create a family member's narrative. (Actually, the steps of the process didn't click right aways for me and he was kind enough to answer questions I had via email.)
I decided to test my new knowledge of AI with the profile of my paternal 3rd great-grandfather, Asa Carrington. ChatGPT did a good job on the information it was given. I have other information that is not a part of Asa's profile on Ancestry.com -- some of which is in my blog post of January 28, 2019,
Claiming "Radical Asa" Carrington.
The prompt (from John Beaumont's demonstration):
I am writing a narrative for the attached relative that I will give to my family. Please create a draft story from the attached file and add historical facts where appropriate, but do not add or embellish and genealogical details. you can indicate missing information. The tone should be casual and suitable for family members. **
Narrative generated by ChatGPT:
The Life of Asa Carrington
Asa Carrington was born in December 1839 in Virginia, a time of great change in American history. The country was in the midst of expansion, and tensions over slavery and state rights were steadily growing. While we don’t have details about Asa’s early life, we do know that by the 1860s, he was living in Georgia, where he started a family.
In 1865, shortly after the Civil War ended, Asa's daughter Anna Lane was born. A few years later, in 1869, another daughter, Mary Lane, was born. He was recorded as living in Hancock County, Georgia, in 1867 and later in Sparta, Hancock County, in 1870. During this period, the Reconstruction era was underway, bringing significant political and social changes to the South. Asa was navigating life in a state where newly freed African Americans were striving for economic stability and political representation.
One of the most remarkable records of Asa’s life comes from 1876 when he was nominated, along with Rev. Charles Warren, as a representative for Hancock County. This was during a period when African Americans were gaining political influence in Georgia, though it was also a time of increasing resistance from white supremacist groups attempting to dismantle Reconstruction efforts. His nomination suggests he was an active and respected member of his community.
By 1878, Asa was still in Hancock County, but by 1890, he had moved to Macon in Bibb County, Georgia. He worked for B.C. Smith, living at 247 Madison Street. Later, in 1900, census records list him as a widowed head of household, living at 354 Spring Street and working as a day laborer. His wife, Ellen Huff, whom he married in 1887, is not mentioned in later records, suggesting she may have passed away by then.
City directories from the early 1900s continue to track Asa’s movements in Macon. In 1904, he was listed as a gardener at 355 Spring Street, and in 1906, he was working as a porter and boarding at the same address. The occupations listed in these records reflect the common jobs available to African American men during this time, as segregation and systemic barriers limited economic opportunities.
While we do not have a recorded date of Asa Carrington’s death, his story is a window into the life of an African American man navigating the post-Civil War South. From family life to political engagement and hard work, Asa's journey was undoubtedly shaped by the historical tides of his era. His legacy lives on through his descendants, and his name remains a testament to perseverance and resilience.
Many details about Asa’s life remain unknown, but what we do have paints a picture of a man who was deeply rooted in his community, who worked hard, and who witnessed and participated in some of the most significant moments in American history. If any family members have more stories, records, or memories to share, it would be wonderful to continue building the full picture of Asa Carrington’s life and legacy.
Here's the draft of Asa Carrington's story. Let me know if you'd like any edits or additional details!
I gave it an additional assignment:
I am trying to discover the death details of Asa Carrington. Please create a draft research plan based on discovering his death details.
It responded with a detailed plan that started with a statement:
Research Plan: Discovering the Death Details of Asa Carrington
Objective:
To determine the death date, location, and any related records for Asa Carrington (born December 1839, Virginia, USA).
Step 1: Review Known Records
Analyze all existing records that mention Asa Carrington, especially his latest known residence in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia (1906 city directory).
Identify gaps in records where he is no longer listed.
Step 2: Search Death Records
State and County Death Records:
Federal and State Census Mortality Schedules:
Social Security Death Index (unlikely but worth checking):
Step 3: Cemetery and Burial Records
Search cemetery records in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.
Check African American cemeteries and burial grounds in Macon and surrounding areas.
Look for church burial records if he was affiliated with a religious institution.
Use websites like FindAGrave.com and BillionGraves.com.
Step 4: Newspaper and Obituary Search
Search historical newspapers in Georgia (e.g., The Macon Telegraph) for obituaries or death notices.
Use online newspaper archives such as Newspapers.com, Chronicling America, and GenealogyBank.
Look for community and church bulletins that may have mentioned his passing.
Step 5: Probate and Estate Records
Search for wills, estate documents, or probate records in Bibb County.
Check the Georgia Archives and FamilySearch.org for digitized probate records.
Step 6: Military and Pension Records (if applicable)
Determine if Asa served in the military, as pension or veteran records may include death details.
Check National Archives and military databases.
Step 7: Family and Oral Histories
Contact family members or descendants who may have oral histories or family Bibles with relevant details.
Search family trees on Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, and FamilySearch for clues from other researchers.
Step 8: Broaden Search Beyond Georgia
Next Steps:
Prioritize and initiate searches in available databases.
Record findings and reassess strategy based on results.
Reach out to local historical societies and genealogy groups for additional resources.
Goal: To uncover Asa Carrington’s death details and document his final years accurately.
Additional ChatGPT statement:
I've drafted a research plan to help discover the death details of Asa Carrington. Let me know if you’d like any modifications or additional focus areas!
**ChatGPT [Open AI]. (2025). 7 March 2025, chatgpt,com
While I still have a lot to learn about using AI, I'm impressed with the results I received from ChatGPT. BTW, in his presentation, John Beaumont suggested using other Generative-AI systems and comparing results. He also stressed that one should cite the fact that AI was used, even when sharing a narrative (or other AI-generated information) with family members.
Copyright © 2025 by Sandra Williams Bush, Ancestor Callings: Georgia and Mississippi Roots. All Rights Reserved.
