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Comparing the Big 3 Genealogy Websites and AI Update (Audio podcast)
SHOW NOTES: A comparison of the top three genealogy websites and an update on the latest artificial intelligence news. Lisa interviews genealogy author Sunny Morton about her article “Three’s Company” from the March/April 2025 issue of Family Tree Magazine. They dive into a detailed comparison of the top three genealogy websites—Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and MyHeritage.com—focusing on historical records, DNA tools, family tree features, and more. Sunny shares insights on how these platforms differ, their strengths, and practical tips for genealogists to maximize their research. Whether you’re a U.S.-focused researcher or tracing global roots, this episode has something for everyone.
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Comparing the Top 3 Genealogy Websites
What Is a Historical Record and Does Its Definition Differ Between the Three Websites?
Timestamp: 00:31
Key Takeaways and Tips:
• Definition: A historical record is a document created in the past, ideally close to the time of the events it describes, offering a more accurate glimpse into history than later recollections.
• Differences: The definition varies slightly across platforms. Ancestry, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage count records differently—sometimes focusing on the primary person (e.g., the deceased on a death certificate) and sometimes including secondary individuals (e.g., parents or witnesses).
• Tip: Don’t assume every “record” is a unique historical document. A single certificate might be counted multiple times if it names several people. Check how each site labels the “primary person” to understand what you’re working with.
How Do the Number of Records Stack Up Across the Three Websites?
Timestamp: 04:43
Key Takeaways and Tips:
• Numbers Overview: Ancestry boasts ~60 billion records, FamilySearch ~66.24 billion (13 billion searchable names + 5 billion+ unindexed images), and MyHeritage ~32 billion.
• Ancestry: Strong U.S. focus; top 20 collections (e.g., city directories, yearbooks, newspapers) make up a third of its total, boosted by AI indexing of recent centuries. Less helpful for pre-1800 research.
• MyHeritage: More global, Euro-centric, with 40% of its total in its top 5 collections (e.g., family trees, newspapers via OldNews.com). Great for non-U.S. research.
• FamilySearch: Truly global, free, and diverse; top 20 collections are less than 20% of its total, plus 500,000+ digitized books. Hard to pin down exact counts due to unindexed images.
• Tip: Focus on “where and when” your ancestors lived. Use Ancestry for U.S. depth, MyHeritage for European roots, and FamilySearch for global coverage or record-loss areas.
What’s Your Elevator Speech for the Primary Strength of Each Website?
Timestamp: 12:50
Key Takeaways and Tips:
• Ancestry: U.S.-centric with vast records—start here for American research, paired with FamilySearch.
• FamilySearch: Free, global focus, no target customer—ideal for international searches and unique collections.
• MyHeritage: Euro-centric, excels in language translation (e.g., German trees)—perfect for non-English records and global connections.
• Tip: Before subscribing, browse each site’s catalog to see if it matches your research area. Combine platforms based on your needs—don’t skip one just because it’s not your “main” focus.
How Do They Stack Up for DNA Research?
Timestamp: 16:30
Key Takeaways and Tips:
• FamilySearch: No DNA tools—focuses on records, not genetics.
• Ancestry & MyHeritage: Both excel at DNA, making complex data accessible. Offer ethnicity estimates (improving over time) and match tools.
- Ancestry: Groups matches by common ancestors; recently added shared matches of matches.
- MyHeritage: “Theory of Family Relativity” maps person-to-person connections; accepts raw DNA uploads ($29 for advanced tools or free with subscription).
• Tip: Revisit DNA results every 3-6 months for updated ethnicity estimates and new matches. Rotate subscriptions if budget’s tight—your data stays, and hints accumulate.
How Do Their Family Tree Features Compare?
Timestamp: 23:26
Key Takeaways and Tips:
• Ancestry & MyHeritage: Private, individual trees you control—shareable if desired. Multiple trees allowed for testing theories. No source requirement, but tree checkers flag unsourced data.
• FamilySearch: One giant, public, collaborative tree—nothing private for deceased individuals. Emphasizes sources and reason statements to improve accuracy.
• Tip: Use online trees as “bait” for hints, keeping your full research offline in software. Politely ask public tree owners for sources if unsourced data intrigues you.
How Do They Compare for Searchability in Family Trees?
Timestamp: 29:45
Key Takeaways and Tips:
• All Three: Excellent search portals for minimal or detailed queries.
• FamilySearch Bonus: Search its tree even if you don’t contribute—great for harvesting clues about ancestors.
• Tip: Use tree searches strategically to uncover new leads or verify info, even if you’re not building online. Refine searches as trees grow to stay efficient.
How Do They Compare for Photos, Memories, and Stories?
Timestamp: 31:56
Key Takeaways and Tips:
• General: All are works in progress, with best tools on apps (not always ideal for big-screen users). AI-generated life histories check tree completeness.
• MyHeritage: Leads with photo tools (enhancing, colorizing, animating) and “My Stories” for living-generation narratives.
• Tip: Use MyHeritage’s photo animations to engage family—watermarked as AI-generated, they spark curiosity without claiming historical fact.
How Compatible Are They for Syncing with Desktop Software?
Timestamp: 36:28
Key Takeaways and Tips:
• MyHeritage: Free Family Tree Builder syncs with online trees.
• Ancestry: Syncs well with Family Tree Maker (despite separate ownership).
• FamilySearch: RootsMagic and others pull sections of its global tree.
• Tip: Prioritize sync compatibility when choosing a site—check software options before committing to an online tree platform.
All information was to the best of our guest’s knowledge as of the date of recording.
Latest advancements in AU and their application to genealogy research.
Timestamp: 48:11
1. Gemini Updates by Google. o New Features Announcement (March 2025):
Google’s Gemini app rolled out significant updates, available to try for free, with enhanced features for all users and premium options for subscribers.
2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental:
Offers file upload capabilities (crucial for genealogy context), improved reasoning, efficiency, and speed.
Advanced users (subscribers) get a 1-million-token context window, allowing more extensive project interactions.
Free users can test it with a one-month trial of Gemini Advanced.
Deep Research Tool:
Now upgraded with 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental, it searches and synthesizes web information quickly, producing detailed multi-page reports.
Available globally in 45 languages; free users get limited tries, while advanced users have expanded access.
Shows real-time reasoning, similar to Grok, enhancing transparency in research processes.
Personalization (Experimental):
Integrates with Google apps (starting with search) to tailor responses based on user history, e.g., genealogy-focused search patterns.
Users control personalization settings and can disconnect if desired.
2. Connected Apps Integration
- Gemini now connects with Google Calendar, Notes, Tasks, and soon Photos (in English), allowing complex, multi-app requests.
- Example: Genealogy applications could involve organizing research notes or creating itineraries from ancestral photo locations.
3. Gems Feature
- A new customizable AI tool, free for all Gemini app users, enabling creation of personal AI experts for specific topics (e.g., genealogy).
- Users can upload files and set instructions via the Gems Manager on desktop, tailoring it to repetitive research tasks.
- Lisa plans to explore this deeply in upcoming premium videos and live streams, emphasizing its potential for genealogists.
4. AI Competition and Future
- Gemini is positioned as a competitor to Grok, with features like file uploads and deep research mirroring Grok’s capabilities.
- Lisa predicts AI will eventually replace Google search, with ongoing competition determining the leading AI tool.
5. Practical Tips / Getting Started with AI
- Try Gemini at gemini.google.com; start with the free version, then consider the one-month trial of Gemini Advanced for full access.
- Premium members can access detailed tutorials and live streams:
AI: Creating Location Guides and 6 Tasks AI Can Do for Your Genealogy.
Closing Note: AI tools like Gemini are like “shovels” for genealogists—essential for digging deeper and enhancing research efficiency. Stay tuned for more in-depth explorations in premium content!
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Resources
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Location Guides Turbo Charged with AI (Premium)
(PREMIUM) Elevenses with Lisa is a LIVE show (& video replay) exclusively for Premium Members. In this video, Location Guides Turbo Charged with AI, I’ll show you how to harness the power of AI to create comprehensive, expert-level location guides for your family history research. You’ll see firsthand how AI can generate detailed historical and geographical insights, recommend research strategies, and even identify gaps in your approach. But beware—AI isn’t perfect, and I’ll reveal how to refine its output for the most accurate results. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just starting out, this session will transform how you uncover your ancestors’ stories.
Watch the Video Replay
Next Livestream
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM PT / 10:00 AM MT / 11:00 AM CT / Noon ET)
Go to the Livestream page at Riverside on livestream day. (Link coming on March 27. You will see a Starting Soon Welcome message before the start time.)
For best Livestream results: Use Chrome or Edge. (Not Safari)
Show Notes:
Download the show notes cheat sheet.
Approach to AI (Recap)
AI is a double-edged sword—powerful yet tricky. Just like the internet or DNA testing, it can be a game-changer or a headache, depending on how you use it. For this livestream, we’re focusing on the good: leveraging AI to supercharge genealogy research. A word of caution: only input what you’re okay sharing publicly—there’s no undoing it once it’s out there!
The Goal
• What we’re doing today: Creating an exhaustive location guide for Kotten, East Prussia, suitable for expert-level genealogy research.
• Why it matters: This process can help you tackle your own research challenges—think brick walls or obscure locations.
AI Tool Used: Grok
• Where to find it: https://grok.com/
• Free version: Available with limits—great for testing the waters.
• SuperGrok subscription: $30/month—unlocks more power (what I’m using today).
The Process: 5 Prompts to a Perfect Guide
1) Prompt #1: The First Try
Prompt: “Create an exhaustive location guide suitable for expert-level genealogy research on Kotten, Kreis Ortelsburg, East Prussia.”
• What happened: Grok delivered a detailed guide—historical context, records, the works.
• The catch: It was wrong! I mistakenly gave it the wrong Kreis (county)—Ortelsburg instead of Johannisburg.
• Lesson: AI prioritizes output over accuracy unless you rein it in. Precise prompting is everything!
• See it in action: Grok Conversation #1
2) Prompt #2: Getting It Right
Prompt: “Create an exhaustive location guide suitable for expert-level genealogy research on Kotten, Kreis Johannisburg, East Prussia. Do not hallucinate. Only include factual, verifiable information. Include links to sources where possible.”
• What I did: Fixed the Kreis and added guardrails—no hallucinations, sources required.
• Result: An excellent guide packed with:
1. Historical and geographical context
2. Administrative and ecclesiastical jurisdictions
3. Key record types (civil, church, etc.) and availability
4. Research strategies and tools
5. Challenges and workarounds
6. Next steps for pros
7. Links to German websites and other sources
8. Contact info (emails, etc.)
• Quality check: I clicked the links (all good!) and scanned for logic—spot on this time.
• See it in action: Grok Conversation #2
• Tip: Always verify AI output—links, facts, everything.
3) Prompt #3: Adding More Value
Prompt: “Is there anything else that would be helpful to include in this location guide? Perhaps maps of changing borders, a reading list??”
• Twist: I used Grok’s Deep Think feature—advanced reasoning in action. You can watch it ponder!
• Result: Grok suggested killer enhancements:
o Maps of changing borders
o A curated reading list
o A timeline of significant events
o Language resources
o Archive tips
o Genealogy software/tools
o Community resources
o DNA research considerations
o Visiting the region
o Naming conventions
• Why it’s great: These extras turn a good guide into a genealogy goldmine.
• See it in action: Grok Conversation #3
4) Prompt #4: Can We Do Better?
Prompt: “Can this location guide be improved?”
• What happened: Grok took 33 seconds to think (feels like forever now!) and came back with a list of enhancements—pretty much echoing Prompt #3 but with more detail.
• Takeaway: Asking “can it be better?” can be super useful!
5) Prompt #5: The Final Product
Prompt: “Compile all your findings regarding what should be included in this location guide, and provide the final version of the comprehensive location guide suitable for in-depth professional genealogical research.”
• Result: A polished, all-in-one guide—everything from history to DNA tips, ready for expert use.
• See it in action: Grok Conversation #5
• Note: This is the keeper—download it, save it, use it!
Retaining Your Work
How to save it:
o You could click the “2 page” copy icon to grab the convo—paste it into a doc. However, it will be in a JSON-like format. Instead, highlight on the screen with your mouse, Copy, and then paste into a Word doc or other document. This preserves formatting and hyperlinks.
o Copy the prompt separately.
o Hit the Share icon for a link to the archived conversation.
Strengths and Weaknesses
• Strengths:
o Grok’s a brainstorming beast—great for research and ideas.
o Fast, comprehensive output once you nail the prompt.
• Weaknesses:
o Hallucination risk if you’re not specific.
o Output formatting limitations.
Conclusions
This process didn’t just give us a great location guide—it leveled up our prompting game. Here’s the formula for AI success:
1. Know what you want: Define your goal and output.
2. Pick the right tool: Grok was great for this task thanks to its current “Thinking”.
3. Prompt precisely: Guide the AI like a pro and continually hone your prompting skills.
Future Predictions
• What’s next: AI-generated videos to explain stuff? AI taking over tasks on your computer? The future’s wild—and genealogy’s along for the ride!
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6 Tasks AI Can Do For Your Genealogy (Premium Video & Podcast Episode 212)
Elevenses with Lisa Video and Audio Podcast #212 and Show Notes (Premium) Have you ever had a hard time getting started on a new research project, or hit a brick wall that left you feeling stuck? If that sounds familiar, get ready to kick-start your genealogy discoveries with the power of AI. In this video (also available below as an audio podcast) I’ll showcase 6 Tasks AI Can Do for Your Genealogy. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to push past stubborn research obstacles, this session is your ticket to a faster, more efficient, and inspiring genealogy journey. I can’t wait to share these insights with you!
Elevenses with Lisa Season 2 Episode 2 (Video Replay & Show Notes)
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Premium Audio Podcast
This episode is also available as an audio podcast: Premium Podcast #212
Show Notes
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Approach to AI (Recap)
AI is a double-edged sword. It can be good and it can be bad. Is this a new phenomenon? No! We’ve faced the dilemma of whether to use or how to use new technology over and over again. The internet, Google, your phone, Alexa and Siri, DNA testing, and the list goes on and on. Everyone one of these can be good or bad and all present challenges to our privacy.
As a reminder, for our purposes, we’re going to use it for good, specifically genealogy, and I’m going to emphasize along the way how to ensure that’s how it goes. And never use it or enter information that you aren’t willing to share or even make public. There’s NO pulling it back – again – just like with Google, your phone, DNA testing and so on.
The Goal
• What we’re going to do today
• 50 page autobiography of Minna Nippolt Smith
• Create all this…(stack of content)
• Do you have a brick wall? Same process.
LLM Chatbot Used: Gemini
• I’ve decided to use Google’s Gemini.
• Large Language Model (LLC)
• much like ChatGPT.
Gemini: https://gemini.google.com/app
Free with limitations:
Gemini helps users with everyday tasks like writing, planning, learning, generating images, and more.
Gemini Advanced Subscription:
1 month free trial. $19.99/month after that.
• Includes Google’s most capable AI models,
• with priority access to new features
• up to a 1 million token context window, which lets me process up to 1,500 pages of text at once. Roughly, a token can correspond to about 3/4 of an English word. So, 1 million tokens is a very large amount of text. The “context window” is the amount of text that the LLM can “remember” and use as context when generating a response.
• Occasionally, you also have access to experimental models to try out as early previews of Gemini’s latest experimental developments. They can bring significant improvements, but don’t always work as expected.
I used a free account to run the 6 tasks.
Example Document: Raymond Cooke’s autobiography
• I chose this as my example because it’s only 12 pages.
• If I like, then I’ll invest & process larger documents.
Original document:
• 12 photocopied pages (images)
• I paid someone to type it up. Gemini retyped it verbatim in about 3 seconds for free.
• PROMPT: Type the entire attached document exactly as written.
• Premium video mentioned: Reconstruct Your Ancestors’ World with Google
The 6 Tasks:
1) Created a list of all the people listed in the document
2) Created a simple family tree of everyone mentioned
3) Identified research opportunities
4) Create research questions and plan
5) Created a Timeline
6) Created a targeted Reading List
Note: Once the document is attached and uploaded, you can continue to ask new prompts without uploading the document again.
1) Generate Name List
Prompt: Name all the people listed in the document.
Tip: Think about why you want the list and in what form. You can revise your prompt as needed.
2) Create a Family Tree
Prompt: Create a family tree of the people related to Raymond Cooke
The output was basic, but Gemini was able to identify relationships based on the content of the document and provide a simple list tree. Expect to see AI tools for genealogists built around this idea.
3) Identify Research Opportunities
Prompt: Using this document, identify images, maps and videos that would help me tell this story in a more compelling way.
(See PDF: Example of Gemini-generated Research Opportunities list.)
4) Create a Research Plan
Prompt: Create a research plan for further research on Harry Cooke (attach document)
The plan was comprehensive and pulled information from throughout the original document. Tailor your prompt with more specific directions in order to target the research plan output.
(See PDF: Example of Gemini-generated research plan.)
5) Create a timeline
Prompt: Create a timeline of the attached document.
Gemini’s output was brief and high-level.
Revised Prompt: Create a detailed timeline of all events described.
Revising the prompt produced a much more complete timeline.
6) Generate a Reading List
Prompt: What books would be helpful for me to learn more about this topic?
Gemini did an excellent job! Fine-tune your prompt based on your specific areas of interest.
(See PDF: Example of Gemini-generated Reading List.)
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