I've used FREE Artificial Intelligence tools to create biographies, poems, songs and podcasts about my ancestors lives, plus my genealogy research and family history in the recent past. Every ancestor lives a unique life with unique relationships and life stories. Today, I want to share a poem, song and podcast about my third great-grandfaher, Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) of Rhode Island and Connecticut
I requested ChatGPT4, Grok, Gemini, and Claude (all FREE AI LLM tools) to create a poem and song lyrics, and a podcast, about Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872).
I uploaded a PDF of my genealogical sketch which has all of the information I have about the life of Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) -- see 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 39: #46 Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) -- to the AI tools.
(AI ChatGPT4 image of Oatley family in 1840)
1) The prompt I used for the poem and song lyrics was: "Please write a poem and song lyrics to celebrate the life of Jonathan Oatley using the attached document."
2) I chose the poem created by X Grok 3 today:
JONATHAN'S FAITH
In South Kingstown’s cradle, ‘neath Rhode Island’s sky,
Born in seventeen-ninety, where dreams never die,
Jonathan Oatley, first son, fifth in line,
Grew strong in a family where love intertwined.
Eleven siblings, a bustling brood,
Some lost to youth, as oft times they would.
Yet faith and kin wove a steadfast thread,
Guiding young Jonathan where his heart led.
In Exeter’s church, by the Baptist spring,
He met Amy Champlin, whose heart made him sing.
Bound by their vows in eighteen-thirteen,
Their love built a life where devotion was seen.
Fourteen children, a legacy grand,
From Rhode Island’s shores to Connecticut’s land.
John, Almira, Lorenzo, and more,
Each name a story, each life to explore.
Through joy and through sorrow, their family grew tight,
Some left too soon, yet their love burned bright.
In South Kingstown’s fields, he tilled and he sowed,
A landowner young, on a path yet unbowed.
Called to the pulpit, a minister true,
In South Kingstown’s church, his spirit shone through.
Then to East Killingly, with family in tow,
Over roads rough and wild, where the brave only go.
A quarryman’s craft, with granite and stone,
He carved out a life, made a mark of his own.
The Oatley Ledges, by Killingly’s pond,
Stand firm as his will, a legacy fond.
A pastor, a mason, a father, a friend,
His hands built a life that would never quite end.
Granite steps crafted for churches to stand,
A testament lasting, from his heart and his hand.
Yet trials did come, as they often do,
Church strife divided, hearts broken in two.
But grace won the day, in fifty-three’s light,
Reconciled in faith, they emerged from the night.
Through decades of labor, through love and through loss,
Amy by his side, they bore every cross.
When she passed in sixty-five, his heart bore the pain,
Yet he walked to Rhode Island, through sun and through rain.
At eighty-two years, his journey complete,
In East Killingly’s arms, he found rest so sweet.
Beside his dear Amy, in Bartlett they lie,
Their gravestone a whisper ‘neath Connecticut’s sky.
Jonathan Oatley, of faith, work, and kin,
A life built on love, where the soul’s work begins.
His steps still hold firm, in stone and in time,
A legacy woven in this humble rhyme.
3) Here are the AI song lyrics created by Claude Sonnet 4 (used as custom lyrics on Suno.com), using a traditional American folk ballad style in an upbeat tempo - the link to the song is here: "Jonathan's Faith"
JONATHAN'S FAITH
Verse 1
Born in Rhode Island when the world was young
Seventeen-ninety, summer's song was sung
Fifth child of eleven in the Oatley line
Growing up in South Kingstown, everything was fine
Met sweet Amy at the Baptist church door
Two hearts baptized, couldn't ask for more
Verse 2
Married Amy in eighteen-thirteen
Sweetest love that anyone has seen
Babies came like blessings from above
John and Joseph, filled their home with love
Pastor's calling, working with his hands
Serving God and people across the land
Chorus
Jonathan, Jonathan, man of faith and stone
Built his life with love, never stood alone
Fourteen children, Amy by his side
Through the valleys and the mountains, what a ride
Jonathan, Jonathan, your legacy lives on
In the hearts of family, from dusk until dawn
Verse 3
Eighteen thirty-four, packed up the cart
Connecticut calling, made a brand new start
East Killingly welcomed them with open arms
Raised their family safe from any harm
Granite quarry, steps that still remain
Through the sunshine, snow, and gentle rain
Chorus
Jonathan, Jonathan, man of faith and stone
Built his life with love, never stood alone
Fourteen children, Amy by his side
Through the valleys and the mountains, what a ride
Jonathan, Jonathan, your legacy lives on
In the hearts of family, from dusk until dawn
Verse 4
Amy passed in eighteen sixty-five
But Jonathan's spirit stayed alive
Walked to Rhode Island when he was seventy-five
Visiting old friends, keeping love alive
Eighty-two years, a life well-spent
A faithful man, heaven-sent
Bridge
When the church doors closed, he found his way back
Through forgiveness and grace, stayed on the right track
Silver coffin plates, saved for family treasure
Love that lasts forever, beyond any measure
From the granite ledges to the steps of stone
His work still stands, though he's gone home
Chorus
Jonathan, Jonathan, man of faith and stone
Built his life with love, never stood alone
Fourteen children, Amy by his side
Through the valleys and the mountains, what a ride
Jonathan, Jonathan, your legacy lives on
In the hearts of family, from dusk until dawn
Outro
In Bartlett Cemetery, where he lies at rest
Next to his Amy, forever blessed
The story echoes through the years
Of love and faith, through joy and tears
Jonathan Oatley, we remember you
Your faithfulness and love so true
(Jonathan, Jonathan...)
(Your legacy lives on...)
(In the hearts of family...)
(From dusk until dawn...)
4) Here is the Audio Overview "podcast" file for Jonathan Oatley (1790-1872) 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.
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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
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