The Claude (usually 3.7 Sonnet) artificial intelligence tool can be used to write family-friendly biographies of my ancestors that might be suitable for my relatives and descendants to help them understand their ancestry. Using the ABC method described in Using Artificial Intelligence In the Ancestor Biography Creation (ABC) Process, here is one ancestor biography.
1) I have written genealogical sketches for almost every known ancestor back 9 generations in blog posts based on 35 years of genealogical research in my 52 Ancestors/Relatives Biographies series. The genealogical sketch for my great-grandfather, Henry Austin Carringer, #12 on my Ahnentafel List), including sources and record abstracts, is 52 Ancestors Friday: Henry Austin Carringer (1853-1946).
2) For the Claude AI biography, I attach the PDF of the genealogical sketch for the specific ancestor, and then prompt the AI tool with: "You are an expert genealogist. Please create a draft biography from the attached file, including parents, siblings, spouses and children (with birth and death dates and places), summarize life events, and add historical facts as appropriate, but do not add or embellish any extra genealogical details. Use section headings. Expand the information in each section to add more details. The tone should be casual and suitable for family members."
3) The expanded biography of Henry Austin Carringer (1853-1946) created by the AI tool Claude 3.7 Sonnet, lightly edited, is:
Henry Austin Carringer: A Life of Craftsmanship, Partnership, and Perseverance
Early Years and Family Background
Henry Austin Carringer was born on November 28, 1853, in the small town of Mercer, Pennsylvania, during a time of significant national transformation following the tumultuous decades before the Civil War. Though everyone knew him as "Austin" rather than Henry, a naming practice that may have been a Carringer family tradition or perhaps followed traditional German naming patterns.
Austin was born into a family of skilled craftsmen. His father, David Jackson "D.J." Carringer (1828-1902), worked as a carpenter and joiner, trades that were in high demand during America's expansion westward. His mother, Rebecca Spangler (1832-1901), came from a similar Pennsylvania background, and together they instilled values of hard work, practical skills, and self-reliance in their children.
The Carringer family was constantly on the move during Austin's childhood, reflecting the pioneering spirit of mid-19th century America. The 1860 Census places them in Columbus City, Louisa County, Iowa, with Austin (age 7) attending school alongside his brother Harvey (age 9) and sister Epha (age 2). Their father had accumulated modest wealth by this time - $200 in real property and $100 in personal property - suggesting a hardworking but not wealthy household.
By the 1870 Census, the family had moved to Jackson township in Washington County, Iowa, where teenage Austin continued his education. In 1873, when Austin was about 20 years old, the family pulled up roots again, this time heading further west to Boulder, Colorado. This period of frequent relocation was typical of many American families during the westward expansion of the late 19th century, though it likely developed Austin's adaptability and resilience.
The 1880 Census for Boulder, Colorado, provides a snapshot of the family at this pivotal time: D.J. at 51 working as a carpenter and joiner, Rebecca at 48 keeping house, Harvey at 27 farming, and Austin at 26 working as a millwright and carpenter. This established pattern of skillful trades would serve Austin well throughout his life.
Marriage and Family Life
Austin met his future wife, Abbey Ardelle "Della" Smith (1862-1944), in Boulder in 1884. Their courtship developed during an interesting period when both the Carringer and Smith families had acquired tracts of land in Wano, Cheyenne County, Kansas. The relationship was more than just romantic - they were creative partners as well, performing together at the local playhouse in Wano.
Surviving theater notices in Della's scrapbook reveal their appearances in productions like "Lady Audley's Secret," "The Dairyman's Daughter," "My Cousin Joe," "My Neighbor's Wife," and "The Secret; or, A Hole in the Wall." These performances in St. Francis and Wano suggest a couple with creative aspirations and community involvement.
After three years of courtship, Austin and Della sold their Kansas land and married on September 11, 1887, in a ceremony conducted by Rev. Emanuel Richards of the Congregational Church in Wano. Their marriage certificate was witnessed by A.E. Boring and carefully preserved among family documents. The ceremony took place at noon, a detail noted in the family Bible.
(Austin and Della (Smith) Carringer in 1887)Their honeymoon was the beginning of their California adventure - they traveled by train to San Diego with just $20 in their pockets, a bold move that reflected their pioneering spirit. Austin quickly found work as a carpenter in the lumber mills in National City, establishing the practical foundation for their new life together.
On August 19, 1889, the couple welcomed their first child, Devier David Carringer, named after his maternal and paternal grandfathers (Devier Smith and David Jackson Carringer). The San Diego Union announced the birth, noting that the baby boy "tips the scales at nine pounds." This joy was tragically short-lived. Young Devier died suddenly on May 10, 1890, at less than a year old.
A preserved remembrance card with gold lettering on a black background captures the family's grief: "One less at home, The charmed circle broken -- a dear face missed day by day from its usual place. But cleansed, saved, perfected by grace, One more in heaven." Family letters from Kansas and Pennsylvania relatives tried to reassure the grieving parents that their son's death was "God's will," but the devastating loss apparently caused Austin and Della to renounce their Christian faith.
Their second son, Lyle Lawrence Carringer, was born on November 2, 1891, in a house at 16th and H Streets in San Diego. Family correspondence and photographs document Lyle's childhood with loving detail. A family picture from 1895 shows Austin with a bicycle, Lyle sitting in a wagon, Della's mother Abigail (Vaux) Smith, and Austin's brother Edgar Carringer posed in front of a hat shop - a snapshot of their expanding family circle.
Professional Journey and Property Ownership
Austin's professional life demonstrated both stability in craft and flexibility in application. He began working at the Russ Lumber and Mill Company upon arriving in San Diego, continuing there until at least 1903. During the early years in San Diego, the family lived in various locations - in 1890, they resided on 3rd Avenue between 16th and 17th in National City, where Austin was an active member of the National City Fire Department's Active Hose No. 1.
The family moved several times during the 1890s. In 1893, they lived at 28th Street and Logan Avenue in San Diego. In 1895, Della worked as an art teacher in a studio at 29th and Logan, revealing her artistic talents that would later be expressed in home design and furniture.
As the family established themselves, they began acquiring property. On August 28, 1894, the family purchased nine lots in Block 61 in Seaman and Choate's Addition in San Diego for $450. This significant acquisition was in Della's name and would become the site of their long-term family home.
The San Diego Union newspaper reported on June 8, 1897, that a building permit was issued to Della A. Carringer for a "$600 residence on Watkins avenue and Thirtieth street." Austin built this two-story house on the southwestern corner of the block at Ella and Watkins Streets (now 30th and Hawthorn Streets). A photograph from around 1900 shows this house with multiple generations of family - Austin, Della, Lyle, Austin's parents D.J. and Rebecca, his brother Edgar, Della's mother Abbie (Vaux) Smith, and even the family horse.
(The 30th and Hawthorn house in 1900 with Austin's family and his parents)During their early years in this house, they used a horse-drawn surrey to transport themselves and their neighbors to the nearest streetcar line at 16th and Broadway - a reminder of the developing infrastructure of early San Diego.
The family continued to invest in real estate throughout their lives. In 1904, Austin purchased cemetery plots for his parents and deceased son. Various property transactions throughout the 1910s-1930s show their growing assets and careful financial planning, with properties in City Heights and other areas.
In 1917, when Austin was in his mid-60s, he made a remarkable career change. He became an aviation mechanic at the U.S. Army Aviation Station at Rockwell Field (now North Island Naval Air Station) in Coronado. This was during the pioneering era of aviation following World War I. Austin served as foreman in the wood and fabric section of the airplane repair shop for ten years, leveraging his carpentry skills for this cutting-edge technology.
(Austin and Della in 1920, with brother Harry, mother-in-law Abbey, and Lyle's family)
His retirement in 1932, at the age of 79, came after 15 years of valued service. His colleagues presented him with a letter of appreciation and a comfortable easy chair - recognition of his dedication and expertise in what must have been a workplace filled with much younger men.
Home Life and Community Engagement
Austin and Della's partnership extended far beyond economic matters. Their home at 30th and Hawthorn Streets became the center of their lives for nearly 40 years. Austin did all the finishing work on their house and built beautiful furniture, while Della designed some of the furniture pieces and maintained a vibrant garden.
In about 1927, they substantially modified their property. The family home was moved to the middle of the block as 2115 30th Street, the front porch was redesigned to face south, and a second-story flat with an external staircase (2119 30th Street) was added. The entire structure was stuccoed, concealing the original frame of the house - a substantial renovation that demonstrated Austin's continuing skills even in his 70s.
That same year, they used a trust deed to finance the building of a two-story apartment house at 2114 and 2116 Fern Street, further expanding their property holdings.
The San Diego Union featured Austin and Della on their golden wedding anniversary in 1937. The article, "Honeymoon Trip to S.D. Extends Half a Century," included a photograph of the couple captioned "True Vowers View Letters on Golden Wedding Day." Della reflected on their life together: "We have lived here on this corner for 39 years. We built this house. On our lot we have planted and grown most every kind of fruit and vegetable that grows in California. Flowers always have been my hobby."
She also articulated their life philosophy: "We have worked hard as partners and tried always to be kind and helpful to others. After all, we are of the opinion that this is the best religion to make a happy and successful life." This practical, humanistic approach to life seems to have sustained them through both joys and sorrows.
(Austin and Della (Smith) Carringer in 1940)
Later Years and Legacy
As Austin and Della aged, they made careful plans for their property and possessions. In 1939, they granted power of attorney to their son Lyle, though they prudently limited his authority to convey, mortgage, or hypothecate any real property without their written approval. That same year, they deeded their entire property on 30th Street to Lyle and his wife Emily, while reserving the use, possession, rent, and income during their lifetimes.
Abbey Ardelle "Della" Smith Carringer passed away in 1944 at the age of 82, ending their remarkable 57-year marriage. Henry Austin Carringer followed on November 30, 1946, at the age of 93 years and 4 days. His death occurred at 9:30 AM, a detail carefully recorded in the family Bible. He was cremated and inurned with his wife at Cypress View Mausoleum in the Bronze Corridor, Niche 61.
After Austin's death, his son Lyle wrote to the Union Title Insurance and Trust Company informing them that his father had owned lots in Cardiff at the time of his death, but noting there would be no probate of the estate as he was the only surviving heir-at-law - the result of careful estate planning by Austin and Della.
Austin's granddaughter, Betty (Carringer) Seaver, remembered him as tall and very demanding in his old age, while Della was recalled as being small and wrinkled - snapshots of their physical appearance that add dimension to the historical record.
Historical Context
Henry Austin Carringer's life spanned one of the most transformative periods in American history. Born just before the Civil War, he lived through Reconstruction, the completion of the transcontinental railroad, the closing of the American frontier, the Spanish-American War, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II.
His move from Pennsylvania to Iowa, then to Colorado, and finally to California traced the westward expansion of the United States. His transition from traditional carpentry to aviation mechanics reflected the technological revolution of the early 20th century. His property investments through economic booms and busts demonstrated financial acumen and resilience.
Austin and Della's shared journey illustrates the power of partnership, the importance of adaptability, and the value of practical skills. Their story, preserved through census records, property deeds, family Bibles, letters, photographs, and newspaper clippings, provides a window into the life of an ordinary yet extraordinary American family navigating nearly a century of personal and national change.
4) A poem and song lyrics to commemorate the life of Henry Austin Carringer (1853-1946) can be found in "The Builder's Legacy" - A Genealogy Poem and Song Created by Artificial Intelligence. The song created from the song lyrics can be heard in that blog post.
5) An audio overview (essentially a podcast created by the Google ContentLM AI tool) discussing the life of Henry Austin Carringer can be heard at https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/bed26e60-92db-4911-8eda-2ea338fa020f/audio
6) I lightly edited the Claude biography text to add more family detail and correct minor errors. Every large language model (LLM) AI tool writes descriptive text much better than I write. I was an aerospace engineer in my former life, and my research reports and genealogical sketches reflect "just the facts." The AI tools are very perceptive and insightful and create readable text in seconds, including applicable local and national historical detail. For example, the Claude 3.7 Sonnet expanded biography above was written in less than 30 seconds. It takes me longer to copy it and paste it into a computer file than it takes for Claude to write it.
7) What do you think of the biography? What other information should be included? What information should be condensed or excluded? Do you like the use of sections to make the flow sensible? Do you like the style of writing? Does the lack of source citations bother you (note that every fact is documented in the genealogical sketch used by Claude)? Should I add images from my research such as the gravestone, a birth, marriage and/or death certificate, etc.? Should I add a map to show the subject's location or migration?
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