RLP 357: AI and Full Text Search

Diana and Nicole discuss using FamilySearch's Full-Text Search to make genealogical discoveries. Diana explains how the tool helped her find new information about her ancestor, Thomas Beverly Royston, after previous searches came up empty. She details how to find and use the Full-Text Search feature on the FamilySearch website and shares tips for refining searches to get the best results. Diana describes using keywords and date ranges to narrow down the matches and emphasizes how this tool allows one to find records that may not be indexed in traditional searches.

The episode also covers how full-text search uses AI to transcribe handwritten documents and highlight search terms. Diana describes using other AI tools like Claude.ai and ChatGPT, along with Transkribus, to correct and summarize transcriptions. She shares a specific example of an indenture record and explains how ChatGPT summarized and explained the legal terms. Diana concludes by explaining how the document provided indirect evidence of family relationships and what future research she plans to conduct. Listeners will learn how to utilize FamilySearch's Full-Text Search and other AI tools to break down genealogical brick walls and discover new information.

This summary was generated by Google Gemini.

Links

AI and FamilySearch Full-Text Search: Working Together to Make Discoveries - https://familylocket.com/ai-and-familysearch-full-text-search-working-together-to-make-discoveries/

Full-Text Search: Find Records Faster with the Help of AI at the FamilySearch blog - https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/full-text-search

Sponsor – Newspapers.com

For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code “FamilyLocket” at checkout. 

Research Like a Pro Resources

Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer

Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/

Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole