Monday, March 10, 2025

AI, Genealogy and Me

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

  1. State and County Death Records:

    • Check Georgia state death indexes (if available for the timeframe).

    • Search Bibb County death records for any mention of Asa Carrington.

  2. Federal and State Census Mortality Schedules:

    • Review U.S. Census mortality schedules (available for certain years) to check for a record of his death.

  3. Social Security Death Index (unlikely but worth checking):

    • Since Asa lived before the Social Security program was established, he may not be listed, but searching for descendants might lead to clues.


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

  • Consider searching in other states if there is a possibility he moved later in life.

  • Review migration patterns of African Americans in the early 1900s.


Next Steps:

  1. Prioritize and initiate searches in available databases.

  2. Record findings and reassess strategy based on results.

  3. 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.

Friday, March 7, 2025

One Last Call -- All My Life


On March 7, 2025 at 2:29pm, I made my last call to my Charming Hubby's phone to hear the ringtone he had for my call. The lyrics are many of the things he said to me, years before the song was released. I have heard the song on my car radio many times since his transition on January 10, 2025 and every time I smile and sing along.


All My Life
(song by KC and Jojo)
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Ooooooh
I'm so glad
I will never find another loverSweeter than youSweeter than you
And I will never find another loverMore precious than youMore precious than you
Girl you areClose to me you're like my motherClose to me you're like my fatherClose to me you're like my sisterClose to me you're like my brother
And you are the only one, my everythingAnd for you this song I sing
All my lifeI prayed for someone like youAnd I thank GodThat IThat I finally found you
All my lifeI prayed for someone like youAnd I hope that you feel the same way tooYes, I pray that you do love me too
I'd so thankful that I'm thinking ofBabySaid I promise to never fall in loveWith a strangerYou're all I'm thinking ofI praise the Lord aboveFor sending me your loveI cherish every hugI really love you
All my life (ohhhh, baby, baby)I prayed for someone like youAnd I thank GodThat IThat I finally found youAll my lifeI prayed for someone like youAnd I hope that you feel the same way tooYes, I pray that you do love me too
You're all that I've ever knowWhen you smile all my face always seems to glowYou turned my life aroundYou picked me up when I was down
You're all that I've ever knownWhen you smile my face glowsYou picked me up when I was downSay, you're all that I've ever knownWhen you smile my face glows
You picked me up when I was downAnd I hope that youFeel the same way tooYes, I pray that you do love me too
All my lifeI prayed for someone like youAnd I thank GodThat IThat I finally found you
All my lifeI prayed for someone like youYes, I pray that you do love me too
All my lifeI prayed for someone like youAnd I thank GodThat IThat I Finally Found You
All my lifeI prayed for someone like youYes, I pray that you do love me tooAll my lifeI prayed for someone like youAnd I thank GodThat IThat I Finally Found You
Songwriters: Rory A. Bennett / Jojo Hailey
All My Life lyrics © Emi April Music Inc., Cord Kayla Music, Hee Bee Dooinit Music, 2 Big Prod Inc, 2 Big Prod., Inc., 2 Big Prod Inc.




Copyright © 2025 by Sandra Williams Bush, Ancestor Callings: Georgia and Mississippi Roots. All Rights Reserved.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Enslaved Community of John W Williams, Sr., Jones County GA (Part 2)

At the 2024 RootsTech conference, FamilySearch introduced full-text searching -- these are records that are not yet indexed but can be search using key words. During this experimentation stage, the records that can be accessed are limited to US Land and Probate Records, Mexico Notary Records, Australia Land and Probate Records, New Zealand Land and Probate Records, and US Plantation Records. In the following weeks, I poured over documents using the search term "John Williams" and filtered results to Jones County, Georgia prior to 1865.

I was able to find six (6) records from Jones County (GA) Deeds 1839-1846, 1846-1853, Mortgages 1839-1845, 1846-1853 where the "residue of negro property" are named.
"Jones, Georgia, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLX-RQ2Q-T?view=explore : Mar 27, 2024), image 486 of 608

(1)

We have received unto our possession of John Williams, Thomas J Williams executors of John Williams late of Jones County deceased the following negroes to wit EdmondSarahJesseLeeNancyAbram and Samson which said negroes we have received of said Executors as our portion of the negroes will by said Deceased to Catherine Bartlett and which we hold agreeable to the 6th Item of the Will of said deceased and hold them subject to the control of said Executors as directed by said Will this 10 February 1850.

Catherine Bartlett (her mark)
Blake Bartlett
Recorded 5 May 1850
G E Thippen

(2)

We have received unto our possession of John Williams and Thomas J Williams Executors of John Williams late of Jones County deceased the following negroes to wit JoeIzaiahGeorgeElen which said negroes we have received of said Executors as our portion of the negroes Willed by said deceased to the issue of Elizabeth Sawyer and which we hold agreeable to the 6th Item of the Will of said deceased. March 13th, 1850
William Sawyer
Francis M Sawyer
Levi Cooper
John Sawyer
Albert Hobbs
Thomas Sawyer
Recorded 6 May 1850 
Gilbert E Thippen

(3)

I have received into my possessions as guardian of the minor children of Elizabeth Sawyer of John Williams and Thomas J Williams Executors of John Williams late of Jones County deceased the following undivided negroes to wit JoeIzaiahGeorgeElen which said negroes I have received of said Executors as there portion of the negroes Willed  by said deceased to the issue of Elizabeth Sawyer and which we hold agreeable to the 6th Item of the Will of said deceased. March 13th 1850
Jacob (?) Sawyer, guardian
Recorded 6 May 1850
G E Thippen

    Documents numbered (2) and (3) have the same enslaved individuals.

(4)


We have received into our possession of John Williams and Thomas J Williams late of Jones County deceased the following negroes to wit PennyAndersonEnoch(?), Catharine which said negroes we have received of said Executors as our portion of the negroes Willed by said deceased to Millisip Barnard which we held agreeable to the 6th Item of the Will of said decease this the 29th January 1850.
Test William M Barnard
Millisip Barnard (her mark)
Jesse Barnard
Recorded 6 May 1850
Gilbert E Thippen


(5)

We have received into our possessions of John Williams and Thomas J Williams Executors of John Williams late of Jones County deceased the following negroes to wit AndrewEliCharityEsther and child Levi which said negroes we have received of said Executors as out portion of the negroes Willed to said deceased to Nancy Mandeville and which we hold agreeable to the 6th Item of the Will of said deceased. March 13th 1850
Nancy Manderville
Charles G Manderville
Recorded 6 May 1850
Gilbert E Thippen


(6)

I have received into my possession of John Williams and Thomas Williams Executors of John Williams late of Jones County deceased the following negroes to wit JackHenryBillJames and Betsy which said negroes Willed by said deceased to Samuel K Williams which we hold agreeable to the 4th Item of the Will of said deceased. March 20th 1850
Samuel Williams
Recorded 6 May 1850
Gilbert E Thippen


Also, another provision for his grandchildren.


Georgia Jones County
     Know all men by their presents that I John Williams Senior of the county and State aforementioned for the natural love and affection that I have for my two grandchildren William H and Martha Elezabeth Deusler I do hereby give to them a negro girl named Clarressa about four years of age; also a good bed, (?), of furniture each. Said property to belong to them upon my death.
     In witness whereof I do hereby set my hand and seal this the 4th day of May 1849.
     Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of 
W D Ethridge 
Thomas Williams JP
Recorded 28th Dec 1849
Gilbert E Thippen

    I put together the following chart to show which enslaved individuals went to which family members of John W Williams, Sr. While the enslaved may or may not be my biological family, I claim them as family. Their names reside in my heart. Now the hard work begins . . . 



Copyright © 2024 by Sandra Williams Bush, Ancestor Callings: Georgia and Mississippi Roots. All Rights Reserved.