Saturday, March 15, 2025

Ask (Diana Elder's "Genealogy Locality Guide Builder") AI: "Please Create a Locality Guide For Cheyenne County, Kansas"

The Artificial Intelligence tools (like ChatGPT4, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Meta, CoPilot, GenSpark, and Perplexity) can provide much useful and nearly instant information about subjects in a concise (or verbose) format, especially when they have been pre-trained on a large volume of information about the subjects.

1)  I read about Diana Elder's Genealogy Locality Guide Builder custom prompt for ChatGPT4, and I wanted to try it out.  She presented Efficient Locality Research with AI: Discovering New Avenues of Exploration at RootsTech 2025.

I knew that my 2nd great-grandfather Devier J. Smith (1839-1894) had a ranch in Cheyenne County, Kansas, and that my great-grandparents, Henry Austin Carringer (1853-1946) and Abbey Ardelle "Della" Smith (1862-1944) had land there and were married in Wano, Cheyenne County, Kansas in 1887.  The FamilySearch Research Wiki page for Cheyenne County, Kansas has basic information about the county, but lists no specific online record collections, but does link to state collections.  I also knew that the FamilySearch Library has few actual county records (e.g., vital records, court records, deeds, probate, etc.) in their catalog for Cheyenne County, Kansas (see   https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog/results?q.place=Cheyenne%2C%20Kansas%2C%20United%20States).

2)  Here is my prompt for Diana's custom prompt:  "Please create a locality guide for Cheyenne County, Kansas."

The free ChatGPT4 response was (after I asked for more detail, and edited for readability):

Cheyenne County, Kansas Genealogy Locality Guide

Background

Cheyenne County, located in the northwestern corner of Kansas, was officially established on March 20, 1873. It was named after the Cheyenne Native American tribe, who historically lived in the region. The county seat and largest city is St. Francis.

The county has a strong agricultural heritage, with early settlers primarily engaging in cattle ranching and wheat farming. Over time, the arrival of railroads facilitated the growth of small towns such as Bird City, Wheeler, and Jaqua.

Key Facts:

  • Established: 1873
  • County Seat: St. Francis
  • Land Area: 1,021 square miles
  • Population (2020 Census): 2,616
  • Borders: Nebraska (North), Colorado (West)

For historical records and local history, visit the Kansas Historical Society (kshs.org).

Online Research Guides & Digital Archives

Here are some essential online resources for researching genealogy in Cheyenne County:

  • Kansas Historical Society (kshs.org) – Digital archives, historical records, and maps.
  • Kansas State Library (kslib.info) – Access to newspapers, genealogical resources, and census records.
  • Kansas Genealogical Society (ksgenweb.org) – County records, cemetery listings, and family histories.
  • Cheyenne County GenWeb Project (usgenweb.org) – A volunteer-run resource with digitized records, maps, and family histories.
  • FamilySearch Kansas Genealogy (familysearch.org) – Birth, marriage, death, and probate records for the county.

Geography and Maps

Cheyenne County is located in the High Plains region, featuring rolling prairies and fertile farmland. It has very little water coverage but is home to small creeks such as Cherry Creek and the Republican River, which played a crucial role in early settlement.

Key Geographic Features:

  • Republican River: A major waterway for early settlers.
  • Arikaree Breaks: A rugged terrain area with historical significance.
  • Western border: Shares a boundary with Colorado, influencing migration patterns.
  • Where to Find Maps:
  • Kansas Historical Society – Historical Maps Collection
  • David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land Patent Database (glorecords.blm.gov)

Timeline of Major Events

  • 1854: Kansas Territory is established.
  • 1861: Kansas becomes the 34th state in the U.S.
  • 1873: Cheyenne County officially formed.
  • 1879: First permanent settlers arrive.
  • 1886: Wano chosen as the county seat.
  • 1889: St. Francis becomes the official county seat after disputes.
  • 1880s-1890s: Railroads expand, leading to economic growth.
  • 1930s: The Dust Bowl severely impacts agriculture.
  • 1950s-Present: Population declines due to urban migration.

History & Settlement

Cheyenne County was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Cheyenne and Arapaho. The land was later opened for homesteading in the late 19th century, attracting settlers from the Midwest, Germany, and Sweden.

Key Towns & Settlements:

  • St. Francis – Current county seat; historical businesses and newspapers.
  • Bird City – Founded in 1885, known for its strong farming community.
  • Wheeler – A now-smaller town that was historically a railroad stop.
  • Jaqua – A ghost town with remnants of early pioneer life.

Settlers came mainly via wagon trains and railroads, bringing with them German Lutheran, Swedish, and English traditions that are still evident today.

Migration Routes & Transportation

Early Trails & Migration Routes:

  • Overland Trail – Used by early pioneers heading west.
  • Pony Express Route – Passed through parts of Kansas.
  • Union Pacific Railroad – Helped settlers establish permanent communities.

Modern Travel Routes:

  • U.S. Route 36 – A major highway running east-west through the county.
  • Kansas Highway 27 – Runs north-south, connecting Cheyenne County to Nebraska and Colorado.

Law & Government

Cheyenne County operates under a three-member County Commission system. The Cheyenne County Courthouse in St. Francis holds vital land, court, and probate records dating back to the county’s formation.

Where to Find Government Records:

  • Cheyenne County Clerk’s Office – Marriage, probate, and court records.
  • Cheyenne County Register of Deeds – Land and property transactions.
  • Kansas State Archives – Older government records.

Libraries & Archives

Local Resources:

  • Cheyenne County Library (St. Francis) – Holds local history books and newspapers.
  • Kansas State Historical Society – A central repository for Kansas historical records.
  • Denver Public Library Western History Collection – Some records for Kansas frontier settlers.

Newspapers for Research:

  • The St. Francis Herald (since 1885) – Available on microfilm.
  • Kansas Historical Society’s Newspaper Archive – Online digitized newspapers.

Genealogical Societies & Publications

  • Northwest Kansas Genealogical Society
  • Kansas State Genealogical Society
  • "Cheyenne County History Book" – A compilation of family and pioneer histories.

Record Loss & Research Challenges

Fortunately, Cheyenne County has no known major courthouse disasters. However, older church and school records may be missing due to closures.

Local History & Reference Books

  • "Standard Atlas of Cheyenne County, Kansas" (1907) – Early maps and biographies.
  • "History of Northwest Kansas" – Covers settlement and development of the region.

Record Collections for Genealogy

  • Cemetery Records – Available at Find a Grave and BillionGraves.
  • Church Records – Stored at local parishes or Kansas Historical Society.
  • Land & Property Records – Found at the Cheyenne County Register of Deeds.
  • Probate & Court Records – Available through the Cheyenne County Courthouse.
  • Birth, Marriage & Death Records – Can be ordered from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment.

Conclusion

Cheyenne County, Kansas, offers rich genealogical resources for those researching their family history. Whether exploring pioneer ancestors, migration routes, or land records, researchers can find valuable documents through local libraries, government offices, and online archives.

For further research, I recommend visiting:

  • 📌 Kansas Historical Society – www.kshs.org
  • 📌 Kansas Genealogical Society – www.ksgenweb.org
  • 📌 FamilySearch Kansas Records – www.familysearch.org

Would you like help with specific family records or guidance on how to use these resources? 😊

At the top of the response were four map thumbnails that I could click on and see:

3)  My next prompt was:  "My great-grandparents were married in Wano, Kansas in 1887.  Can you provide information on Wano?"

The ChatGPT response was:

That’s a fascinating piece of family history! Wano, Kansas was the original county seat of Cheyenne County before St. Francis took over in 1889. Here’s what I found about Wano and how it might relate to your great-grandparents' marriage in 1887.

History of Wano, Kansas

Early Settlement & Development

  • Founded: Around the early 1880s.
  • Original County Seat: Chosen as the first county seat of Cheyenne County in 1886.
  • Named After: Possibly derived from a Native American term, though origins are uncertain.

Population: In the 1880s, Wano had a few hundred residents and served as an important trading post.

Economic Activity: Farming, ranching, and local businesses were the main sources of income.

During the 1880s, the town of St. Francis was growing rapidly, and a county seat battle ensued. In 1889, a county-wide vote moved the county seat from Wano to St. Francis, leading to Wano's decline.

Wano's Decline

After losing its county seat status, many residents and businesses moved to St. Francis.  By the early 20th century, Wano was virtually abandoned.  Today, Wano no longer exists as a separate town but is part of St. Francis. 

Your Great-Grandparents' Marriage in Wano (1887)

Since Wano was still the county seat in 1887, it was likely where:

  • Marriage licenses were issued
  • County records were kept

Where to Find Their Marriage Record:

  • Cheyenne County Clerk’s Office (St. Francis, KS). Holds historical marriage records from the county’s early years. Contact: (785) 332-8800
  • Kansas State Archives (kshs.org). Houses early marriage records and documents from the period.
  • FamilySearch Kansas Marriage Index (familysearch.org). Online searchable marriage records from Kansas counties.

Does Anything Remain of Wano Today?

Physically, Wano no longer exists as a separate town, but traces of it remain in:

  • Street names in St. Francis (there was once a "Wano Street").
  • Local history books and newspapers that reference Wano’s early days.
  • Old maps of Cheyenne County (before 1890) that still show Wano.
  • If you're ever in St. Francis, visiting the Cheyenne County Museum might provide more insight! 😊

Would you like me to help locate an official marriage record for your great-grandparents?

4)  Since ChatGPT4 offered, I asked:  "Yes, please find an official marriage record for Henry Austin Carringer and Abbey Ardelle 'Della' Smith."

The ChatGPT4 response was:

​Henry Austin Carringer and Abbey Ardelle "Della" Smith were married on September 11, 1887, in Wano, Cheyenne County, Kansas. Their marriage was officiated by Reverend Emanuel Richards of the Community Congregational Church. ​

Sources Confirming the Marriage:

  • Marriage Certificate: The original marriage certificate states: "This certifies that on the 11th day of September in the year 1887, Mr. Henry A. Carringer and Miss Della A. Smith were united by me in the Bond of Marriage at Wano, Kansas."​
  • Witness: A.E. Boring
  • Officiant: Rev. Emanuel Richards, Minister of Congregational Church
  • Source:  GeneaMusings:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2014/01/52-ancestors-friday-henry-austin.html

Family Bibles:

D.J. and Rebecca (Spangler) Carringer Family Bible: Records the marriage of Henry A. Carringer and Della A. Smith on September 11, 1887, at Wano, Kansas, officiated by Rev. Emanuel Richards. ​

Devier J. Smith Family Bible: Notes the marriage of Abbey Ardell, daughter of D.J. & A.A. Smith, on September 11, 1887. ​

Accessing the Marriage Record:

  • The original marriage certificate is privately held by genealogist Randall J. Seaver in Chula Vista, California. ​

Additional Resources:

If you're seeking an official copy of the marriage record, consider contacting the Cheyenne County Clerk’s Office in St. Francis, Kansas, as they maintain historical marriage records from that period.

The last prompt also had a list of sources that included the above and several other web sources that pertained to the marriage license, based on my earlier blog posts.

5)  It is obvious that I am the only genealogist researching for my great-grandparents, since I'm one of only three great-grandchildren descended from them.  I have the marriage license on the wall of my hallway in my home and have written extensively about them.

6)  This custom prompt for ChatGPT4 by Diana Elder is excellent.  I've seen other examples for counties with many more resources. The locality guides for well researched counties often go for 20 to 30 pages or more using this custom prompt.  The custom prompt searches the Internet for selected articles and records.  Brava, Diana!  

This "use case" is an excellent example of how Artificial Intelligence can be used to create a research and finding aid at your desk and in a minute of time.  To do this online, or in-person at libraries or archives away from home, would have taken months of time.  This is a better locality guide than I have ever attempted.

                      ==============================================

My blog posts, and those of other genealogists, using Artificial Intelligence tools are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/03/ask-diana-elders-genealogy-locality.html

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