Genealogy AI: A New Era in Family History
How artificial intelligence is transforming the discovery of our ancestors
Introduction: Artificial Intelligence and Genealogy
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming genealogy in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose faith places a strong emphasis on family history and temple work, these advances are especially meaningful. AI has the potential to help uncover ancestral connections, preserve family stories, and support sacred ordinances by making family history research faster, deeper, and more accessible.
By combining modern technology with a long-standing spiritual commitment to connecting families across generations, genealogy AI is opening new doors to understanding who our ancestors were and how we are connected to them.
Core AI Technologies Powering Genealogy
At the heart of genealogy AI are advanced systems designed to read, understand, and organize vast collections of historical records. These technologies allow computers to process information at a scale and speed far beyond what human researchers can achieve alone.
- Ability to read billions of handwritten genealogical records
- Automated indexing of records that once required manual transcription
- Natural language understanding to extract names, dates, places, and relationships
- Recognition of many handwriting styles, including difficult cursive forms
- Support for many languages, including older records written in Latin
Digitizing the World’s Records
Archives around the world are being digitized at an unprecedented pace. AI enables these collections to be searched and indexed efficiently, turning images of records into usable, searchable data.
- Processing millions of records each day, far faster than human review
- Improving accuracy over time as AI systems learn from corrections
- Extracting information from faded ink and damaged documents
- Enhancing low-quality or imperfect microfilm images
Connecting Records Across Sources
One of the most powerful uses of genealogy AI is its ability to connect related records from many different sources. Rather than examining each document in isolation, AI can analyze patterns and relationships across entire collections.
- Cross-linking the same individual across multiple records and sources
- Using indexed Church records, census data, newspapers, and obituaries
- Incorporating military, immigration, land, and probate records
- Analyzing personal letters and other unique historical documents
- Smart clustering to group records likely belonging to the same person or family
Breaking Through Genealogical “Brick Walls”
Many family historians encounter "brick walls"—points where progress seems impossible due to missing or unclear records. AI can help overcome these challenges by identifying connections that are difficult for individuals to see.
- Suggesting how records may fit into existing family trees
- Proposing possible parents or family relationships
- Discovering spelling changes and name variations across generations
- Highlighting overlooked records that may contain key clues
Bringing Ancestors’ Lives to Light
Beyond names and dates, genealogy AI can help create richer pictures of ancestors’ lives by combining information from many sources into coherent narratives.
- Creating biographies and life stories based on historical evidence
- Enhancing and restoring old photographs
- Providing historical context to better understand ancestors’ experiences
While AI can suggest and organize information, people remain essential. Human researchers review, interpret, and confirm AI findings to ensure accuracy and meaning.
Interactive Assistance and Guided Research
Genealogy AI is increasingly being offered through interactive assistants that guide users step by step through family history tasks.
- Helping users decide what records to search next
- Explaining why certain matches or suggestions were made
- Making previously inaccessible or difficult records easier to explore
Meaningful Connections for Latter-day Saints
For Latter-day Saints, genealogy is more than a historical hobby—it is a sacred work. AI tools can help members learn the stories of their ancestors, strengthen feelings of connection across generations, and support temple ordinances performed on behalf of those who have gone before.
By removing barriers and accelerating discovery, genealogy AI allows more time for reflection, reverence, and spiritual connection with family lines.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence is ushering in a new era of family history research. By reading, indexing, and connecting records from around the world, AI empowers individuals and families to discover their ancestors with greater depth and understanding.
As these tools continue to improve, they will not replace the human heart or spiritual purpose behind genealogy. Instead, they will serve as powerful companions—helping Latter-day Saints and others alike draw closer to their ancestors and strengthen the bonds that unite generations, both past and present.
This weekly podcast, hosted by Mark Thompson and Steve Little discusses how the latest innovations in artificial intelligence are helping people discover their ancestors along with their life stories. They focus on AI toolls that are being developed for use at the Family Search Library.