02/02/2026
AI in Genealogy?
Since I’m consulting with the Minnesota Genealogical Society on their technology quests, more and more, I see the benefits of using AI for research purposes. Here are some areas where AI is invaluable.
Here’s a clear overview of how AI is used today and which tools are worth knowing.
1. Record analysis & transcription
AI is very good at reading old documents.
• Handwritten census records, church books, wills
• OCR for scanned PDFs and images
• Automatic transcription of old German, Kurrent, Sütterlin, Latin, and French scripts
Examples
• Transkribus – excellent for European church and civil records
• FamilySearch AI tools – handwriting recognition & indexing
• Ancestry’s AI indexing – speeds up record discovery
2. Smart record matching
AI can suggest possible matches even when:
• Names are misspelled
• Dates are approximate
• Places changed names or borders
Examples
• Ancestry ThruLines
• MyHeritage Record Matches
• FamilySearch hints
These are especially useful for Swiss, German, and immigrant records where spelling varies.
Here is a personal example. In many documents, I can find the date when an Ancestor left Europe for emigration to the United States. But the question is, when did the ship arrive in New York? Entering my known data into an AI application, it doesn’t take that long to get the answer when it comes in the States. With that information, I can access an Immigration Record more easily than guessing and reviewing many records.
Best AI tools for genealogists (2026)
Purpose Tool
Handwriting & old records Transkribus
Online trees & records Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch
DNA analysis MyHeritage, Ancestry, GEDmatch
Translation & interpretation ChatGPT, DeepL
Photo enhancement MyHeritage Photo Enhancer
Conclusion
Think of AI as a very fast research assistant, not an authority
