Judy Thompson and Robin McCarthy are starting a new AI for Genealogy Special Interest Group (SIG) in January 2027.
AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot can help genealogists read difficult handwriting, summarize records, organize research notes, and draft family stories. Our new SIG will show you how to put these tools to work on your own family history.
The SIG offers two tracks:
- Basic track, led by Judy Thompson, will meet in person at the Sahyun Genealogical Library. It’s ideal if you’re new to AI or have only tried a few simple questions.
- Intermediate track, led by Robin McCarthy, will meet on Zoom. It covers more advanced features such as projects, custom instructions, and agents.
You’re welcome to attend both. Each 90-minute meeting includes a short presentation, a live demonstration, and hands-on exercises you’ll complete during the session. Use whichever AI chatbot you prefer; a free account is all you need for the exercises.
The meetings focus on how AI can support your genealogy work, not on research basics such as using Ancestry or tracking down a particular ancestor.
Meeting materials are provided by Steve Little, AI Program Director for the National Genealogical Society (NGS). We thank him and NGS for sharing them.
Help us plan. Please take our short survey by December 15, 2026, to tell us your experience level and when you’d like to meet.
Submitted by Robin McCarthy
