I've used FREE Artificial Intelligence tools to create biographies, poems and songs about my ancestors lives, genealogy research, and family history in the recent past. Today, I want to share a poem and a song about my third great-grandmother, Elizabeth Horton (Dill) Smith.
(image created by ChatGPT4)
I uploaded a PDF of my genealogical sketch which has all of the information I have about Elizabeth's life - see 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 28: #35, Elizabeth Horton (Dill) Smith (1791-1869).
1) The prompt I used was: "Please write a poem and song lyrics to commemorate the life of Elizabeth Horton (Dill) Smith (1791-1869) using the attached document."
2) I chose the poem created by OpenAI ChatGPT4o today:
ELIZABETH'S LIGHT
From windswept Cape Cod’s sandy shore,Where Eastham’s tide meets heaven’s door,A daughter born to Thomas’ line,And Hannah, gone before her time.
In childhood’s hush, her mother gone,Yet still she rose with dawn-to-dawn.Through hardship, grief, and shifting years,She shaped her dreams, she dried her tears.
With book in hand and voice refined,She taught young minds and shaped young minds.And in Dedham, far from bay and dune,She found her faith one March in June—
Baptized as woman, thirty years,With whispered vows and reverent tears,Confirmed beneath Saint Paul's high nave,By hands that blessed the strong and brave.
At thirty-five, love lit her days,She walked with Alpheus through life’s maze.A house on High Street, laughter bright,A hearth that warmed the longest night.
Two children graced their tender bond—Lucretia's strength, James' gaze beyond.But fate is often cold and fast;Alpheus passed, his journey passed.
Alone she stood, yet not alone,With purpose carved in heart and bone.She sold her land, she kept her grace,And held her place in time and space.
In census lines her name was found,A widow strong, on steadfast ground.A quiet life in Medfield’s lane,With modest means and quiet gain.
Then, in Leominster, one last fall,She heard the gentle angel's call.And though the records split her years,We count them all through love and tears.
The stone says wife, but more she was—A teacher, mother, soul with cause.And in that grave on Vine Lake's hill,Lies memory's heart—Elizabeth Dill.
3) Here are the AI song lyrics created on Grok 3 used as custom lyrics on Suno.com), using an Americana storytelling style in an upbeat tempo. The link to the song is here: "Elizabeth's Light."
ELIZABETH'S LIGHT
Verse 1
On Cape Cod’s shore where the wild winds blow,
Elizabeth Dill was born to grow.
A child of six when her mama passed,
She learned to stand through a childhood vast.
With a teacher’s heart, she left her home,
To Dedham’s call, where her dreams would roam.
Her steady hand taught the young to read,
Planting hope like a tender seed.
Verse 2
At thirty years, she found her faith,
In St. Paul’s grace, she claimed her place.
Baptized and bound to a higher call,
With Lucretia’s name, she’d recall it all.
Then love arrived, though late in bloom,
Alpheus Smith lit up her room.
Two children came, her heart’s delight,
Lucretia and James in the morning light.
Chorus
Oh, Elizabeth, your light still shines,
Through the years and the family lines.
Strong and brave, you carved your way,
Your spirit lives in the world today.
Verse 3
But sorrow struck when her love was gone,
A widow’s load, she carried on.
With children young, she faced the storm,
Her courage fierce, her heart still warm.
In Medfield’s fields, she made her stand,
Sold land for cash with a steady hand.
With kin and friends, she built anew,
A home where love and laughter grew.
Chorus
Oh, Elizabeth, your light still shines,
Through the years and the family lines.
Strong and brave, you carved your way,
Your spirit lives in the world today.
Bridge
From the War of Twelve to the Civil fight,
She saw the stars through the darkest night.
Her legacy runs like a river wide,
Through children’s children, her love abides.
Verse 4
Through wars and change, she watched time turn,
From horse to rail, the world did learn.
Her life spanned far, from hope to strife,
A nation forged through her steadfast life.
In Leominster’s arms, her days did close,
A stroke took her breath, but her soul arose.
In Vine Lake’s rest, her name’s engraved,
A woman bold, whose heart was saved.
Chorus
Oh, Elizabeth, your light still shines,
Through the years and the family lines.
Strong and brave, you carved your way,
Your spirit lives in the world today.
Outro
Elizabeth Horton, Dill and Smith,
Your story’s more than a fleeting myth.
In every heart that your tale inspires,
You’re still alive in the endless fires.
Oh, Elizabeth, forever you’ll stay,
Guiding us on through the break of day.
4) Here is the Audio Overview "podcast" file for Elizabeth Horton (Dill) Smith from Google NotebookLM (based on the referenced genealogical sketch):
5) The AI tools do this so much better than I could, and weaves the poem and song along a story theme that is true and heartfelt. Each tool provides a different poem and song from the same prompt --I love fishing in all of the AI streams!! Frankly, doing the poems and song are the most genealogy fun I have every week!
6) These stories, told in verse and song, are part of my genealogy and family research. My hope is that they will be passed down to my grandchildren and their descendants to highlight the importance of sharing stories, memories, admiration, and love of our ancestors. I will add them to my Google Drive and to my YouTube channel and my FOREVER account.
==============================================
Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.
Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver
The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/04/elizabeths-light-family-history-poem.html
Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Please note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.
No comments:
Post a Comment