The Artificial Intelligence tools (like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Meta, CoPilot, GenSpark and Perplexity) can provide much useful and nearly instant information about subjects in a concise format, especially when they have been pre-trained on a large volume of information about the subjects.
Mark Thompson, one of the two experts on The Family History AI Show podcast, has created a number of custom prompts and they are available for researchers to use to help their understanding and use of AI.
One of Mark's custom prompts is "Mark Thompson's Historical Photo Analyzer" which can be used on ChatGPT4.
Here is one of my family historical photographs:
1) I asked Mark's custom prompt: Please describe and analyze this photo of a San Diego family and home.
The prompt and photo elicited this response from ChatGPT4:
This is a fascinating historical photograph, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century, showing a San Diego family posing in front of their home. Below is a detailed analysis of the image.
Photo Analysis:
Observation
Rationale & Interpretation
Large wooden two-story house with Victorian design elements
The house features a hipped roof, a wraparound porch with decorative trim, and a rooftop railing—elements typical of late 19th-century Victorian architecture. The mix of horizontal and vertical siding also suggests this era.
Handwritten inscription: "H.A. Corning, Cor 30th & Hawthorn St"
This suggests that the house is located at the corner of 30th and Hawthorn Street in San Diego, likely owned or lived in by H.A. Corning. The handwriting appears to be from the same period as the photo.
Family members positioned in front of the house
This was a common practice in early photography, where families proudly posed with their homes. Their body language suggests formality but also a sense of pride in their property.
Clothing suggests late 19th century
The woman in the foreground wears a long dress with a high collar and puffed sleeves, typical of the 1890s. The man in the center wears a three-piece suit, common for formal portraits of this era. The young girl’s dress and hat also reflect Victorian children’s fashion.
Horse-drawn carriage on the left
Indicates the pre-automobile era, reinforcing the estimated date of the image. The presence of a carriage suggests the family had some level of wealth.
Setting appears semi-rural or suburban
The yard has a garden with young trees and bushes, suggesting early development in this area of San Diego. There are other houses in the background, but they are spaced apart, indicating a suburban or newly developed residential area.
Sharp shadows and bright lighting
Likely taken around midday, given the strong contrast in the shadows. This is consistent with sunny Southern California weather.
Photograph mounted on a card with visible aging
The photograph is mounted on what appears to be a standard album card from the late 19th or early 20th century, with edges showing signs of wear and discoloration.
Points of Uncertainty:
Who exactly is in the photo? While the inscription mentions "H.A. Corning," it is unclear which individual is H.A. Corning or if the whole family belongs to them.
Date of the photograph? Based on clothing and architectural style, it likely dates from the 1890s, but further research into city records could provide a more precise date.
Current status of the house? It would be interesting to see if this home still exists at 30th & Hawthorn in San Diego or if it has been replaced.
Final Thoughts:
This is a classic example of a late 19th-century American family home portrait, showcasing not just the family members but also their property and lifestyle. It reflects the pride of homeownership during a time when San Diego was rapidly expanding. If you have any additional context or details, I’d love to dig even deeper into its history!
2) I made a second prompt: Can you describe each of the people in the photograph? Can you describe and analyze the house and the yard?
The ChatGPT4 response was:
Absolutely! Let’s break it down into three sections: the people, the house, and the yard.
People in the Photograph:
Person
Description & Analysis
Man in center (likely H.A. Corning?)
A distinguished-looking man with a beard, wearing a dark three-piece suit, white shirt, and a bowler hat. He stands confidently in the yard, possibly the head of the household. His formal attire suggests this was a posed portrait, typical for property or family documentation.
Woman in white dress (foreground, left side)
She wears a high-collared, long-sleeved white dress with a fitted bodice and possibly lace or decorative elements. Her hat is adorned with a ribbon or flowers, which was fashionable in the 1890s. Her posture is formal, but she is slightly turned toward the young boy next to her, suggesting a motherly relationship.
Young boy next to the woman
He wears a knee-length outfit with long stockings and a hat. His clothing is typical for young boys in the late 19th century, when they often wore short pants before transitioning to full-length trousers in adolescence. He appears relaxed but is clearly aware of the camera.
Man standing on the porch (left side)
Dressed in a dark suit, he has a more casual stance with one foot on the porch step and a hand in his pocket. His positioning suggests he may be a relative, guest, or even a household employee.
Elderly woman on porch (center-right)
Dressed in a dark, long dress with a bonnet or hat, she stands with her hands clasped, looking directly at the camera. She might be a grandmother or another elder relative. Her conservative dress suggests a more traditional or modest style.
Man in hat standing near porch railing
Wearing a suit and hat, possibly another family member or a friend. His relaxed stance suggests he is comfortable in the setting, but his placement is more distant from the central figure.
Young girl in light-colored dress (right side of porch)
She wears a patterned dress with long sleeves, common for young girls of the era. She stands near the porch with a relaxed but attentive posture. Her presence reinforces the idea that this is a multi-generational family portrait.
Man handling the horse and carriage (far left)
Wearing work clothes and a hat, he is likely a hired hand or a member of the household responsible for transportation and farm work. His role is essential, but he stands apart from the family, indicating a different social status.
The House:
Feature
Description & Analysis
Two-story wooden house with Victorian influences
The house has a hipped roof with a decorative railing on top, often found in late 19th-century homes. The trim details, porch supports, and multi-textured siding reflect the era’s architectural trends.
Wraparound porch with decorative trim
The porch features delicate woodwork, giving it an elegant yet practical appeal. The wraparound design suggests the home was built for both comfort and ventilation, which is important in a warm climate like San Diego.
Windows with ornamental awnings
The second-floor windows have decorative awnings or eaves, likely for shade and aesthetic appeal. This detail is common in Victorian-style homes.
Multiple doors and porch access points
The house has at least two visible entrance points, suggesting a functional layout where different family members or guests could enter from various sides. This could also indicate separate living areas or a business function (e.g., boarding house or office space).
The Yard and Surroundings:
Feature
Description & Analysis
Garden with plants and young trees
The yard is well-maintained, with organized garden beds and what appears to be young orchard trees or decorative shrubs. This suggests the family valued landscaping, possibly growing food or flowers.
Low fence or garden border in foreground
A simple wire or wooden fence encloses part of the yard, indicating an effort to protect plants from animals. It might also serve as a boundary for children or pets.
Dirt paths and natural landscaping
Unlike today’s manicured lawns, the yard appears to have dirt paths and natural elements, common for homes in developing suburban or rural areas.
Horse and carriage on the left side
A working carriage with a well-groomed horse suggests the family had access to transportation, which was a sign of moderate wealth at the time. The horse looks healthy and well-kept, indicating good care.
Background houses and structures
A few other homes or buildings are visible in the distance, suggesting that this is part of a growing neighborhood rather than complete rural isolation.
Final Thoughts:
This photo captures a moment in time that showcases not only a family but also their home, status, and way of life in late 19th-century San Diego. The family’s formal yet proud posing suggests they saw this house as an achievement worth documenting. The presence of multiple generations, hired help, and a well-maintained property tells us they were likely well-off in their community.
Would you like me to research more about H.A. Corning or the location to see if the house still exists today?
Then I looked more carefully at the photograph because the information above had some errors. "H.A. Corning" is actually my great-grandfather Henry Austin Carringer (1853-1946) - the handwriting is unclear. The "young girl" on the right side of the photo is a mature woman, and there is no horse handler on the left side of the photo (perhaps he is invisible?).
3) I looked over on the right side of the photograph and saw something I had not noticed before. So I asked this: There is what appears to be a mechanical device on the far right side of the house at ground level. The kitchen is on the other side of the wall. What do you think this might be?
Here is the ChatGPT4 response:
Good eye! That mechanical device at ground level on the far right side of the house is intriguing. Given that the kitchen is on the other side of the wall, I have a few educated guesses about what it might be:
Possible Identifications:
Possible Device
Rationale & Explanation
Water pump or cistern system
In the late 19th century, many homes, especially in growing cities like San Diego, did not yet have fully integrated municipal water systems. If the kitchen was on the other side, this could be a hand pump or early plumbing system for supplying water directly to the kitchen.
Wood or coal stove venting system
Kitchens in this era commonly had large cast-iron stoves that burned wood or coal. Some had external venting systems to help remove excess heat and smoke, especially in warmer climates like San Diego. This could be part of an air intake or exhaust system.
Early gas or hot water heater
By the late 1800s, some homes had rudimentary gas water heaters. If this home had an early gas line, this might be an external fixture related to heating water for the kitchen.
Ash or waste chute
Some Victorian homes had small exterior chutes for disposing of stove ash, kitchen waste, or coal remnants. If this is a chute, it might have led to an outdoor ash bin or waste area.
Well access or cistern cover
If the home had a well or underground cistern, this could be a hatch or pump used to access stored water. Wells were still common in homes that didn’t have fully developed plumbing infrastructure.
Most Likely Explanation:
Given the positioning next to the kitchen, the most probable options are a water pump/cistern system or a stove venting system. If the home was among the more modern ones in the area, it could be an early gas-powered water heater.
Would you like me to try and research whether San Diego homes in that period had specific plumbing or heating innovations that could help pinpoint this?
- Old-fashioned classics: Bessie, Nellie, Daisy, or Dolly (for mares)
- Strong, dependable names: Charlie, Prince, Jim, or Jack (for geldings or stallions)
- Nature-inspired names: Chestnut, Blaze, or Stormy
- Playful or affectionate names: Buddy, Brownie, or Star
- Abbie Ardelle "Della" (Smith) Carringer (1862-1944), wife of Henry Austin Carringer and mother of Lyle Lawrence Carringer.
- Lyle Lawrence Carringer (1891-1977), son of Henry Austin and Della (Smith) Carringer.
- David Jackson "D.J." Carringer (1828-1902), husband of Rebecca (Spangler) Carringer and father of Henry Austin Carringer and Harvey Edgar Carringer.
- Henry Austin "H.A." Carringer (1853-1946), son of D.J. and Rebecca (Spangler) Carringer, husband of Della (Smith) Carringer, and father of Lyle Lawrence Carringer.
- Rebecca (Spangler) Carringer (1832-1901), wife of D.J. Carringer and mother of Henry Austin Carringer.
- Harvey Edgar Carringer (1852-1946), son of D.J. and Rebecca (Spangler) Carringer, andbrother of Henry Austin Carringer.
- Abbie A. (Vaux) Smith (1844-1931), mother of Della (Smith) Carringer.
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