Saturday Night Genealogy Fun -- Five Reference Books For Beginning Genealogy Researchers

 Calling all Genea-Musings Fans: 

 It's Saturday Night again - 

Time for some more Genealogy Fun!!

Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible! music) is to:

1)  What five reference books (and only 5) would you recommend to a beginning genealogy  researcher to have on their bookshelf?

2)  Share your list of five books) in your own blog post or in a Facebook, SubStack, BlueSky or other social media post.  Leave a link to your post on this blog post to help us find your post.

Thank you to Linda Stufflebean for this SNGF topic.

Here's mine (based on North American research):

1)  Val D. Greenwood's The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy (4th edition):  Arguably the best book ever written on American genealogy, it instructs the researcher in the timeless principles of genealogical research, while identifying the most current classes of records and research tools.

2)  Christine Rose's Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures: 2nd edition:  The only guidebook devoted exclusively to research in America's courthouses. Full of essentials starting with preparation, interacting with the clerks, using the indexes, and what to expect to find in each courthoiuse office. But it doesn't stop there. Evaluating the records and using them to solve genealogical problems are included. For those who can't travel to the courthouse personally, use of the Internet, microfilm, and published books of abstracts are discussed.

3)  E. Wade Hone's Land & Property Research in the United States:  This is the most comprehensive and useful review of land and property research for genealogists. When early settlers left their homelands to start a new life in America, they had dreams of owning their own land a prospering from their own efforts. They were suspicious of all forms of government and did their best, in many cases, to be invisible to a variety of record keepers. But when it came to ensuring that their precious land was, without doubt, their own, they were careful to provide all of the information requested of them by the various government agencies. 

4)  Emily Anne Croom's The Sleuth Book for Genealogists: Become a genealogy detective with unique approaches and methods for solving research problems. Case studies and a documentation guide round out this helpful resource.

5)  Elizabeth Shown Mills' Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, 4th Edition:   Evidence Explained is the definitive, go-to guide for those who explore history and seek help with understanding, analyzing, and citing the materials they use. Evidence Explained has two principal uses: it provides citation models for historical sources—especially materials not covered in standard citation guides such as The Chicago Manual of Style. Beyond that, it enables researchers to understand the nature of each source so that evidence they cite can be better interpreted and the accuracy of their conclusions properly appraised.

There are many other books available for specific record types (e.g., vital records, census, church, naturalization, immigration, etc.), local or regional research, family histories, organizing methods, how-to research, Internet searching, documenting research, proof standards, etc.

I equivocated on including Evidence Explained because it is not really a beginner book.  However,  it is absolutely necessary to understand the terminology and processes used to do excellent genealogy research.

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Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

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Adding Ancestor Songs and Podcasts To My YouTube Channel

I have had a YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@RandySeaver) for several years now, and until recently it consisted only of uploaded silent home movies from the 1940s to 1970s.  

I tried adding some of my Suno.com AI-assisted songs in MP4 format to my YouTube channel and it would not upload them.  Then I tried making a Zoom video of an ABC Biography summary, plus reading the AI-assisted poem, and playing the Suno AI-assisted song.  That worked, but the song music was distorted and haphazard. Google told me the music failure was because Zoom audio is compressed.  

I took geneablogger Marcia Philbrick's advice and tried the free Canva.com system to play the AI-assisted songs (in MP4 video) and podcasts (in WAV audio) and that worked!  Canva.com has a learning curve but now I can make a podcast audio or a song video in about 15 minutes.  Thank you, Marcia!

To enrich the listening experience, and add to the visual experience, I have been adding a life summary slide to the Canva.com page for the songs and podcasts.  Here is an image of one of the Song pages:

Here are the YouTube videos that I have added in the past week:

1)  ABC Biography summary/Poem/Song:

• Isaac Seaver 1823-1901 Biography (including the music problem)

2)  Suno.com AI-assisted songs:

• John Richman (1788 1867) AI-assisted Song
• Henry Carringer AI-assisted Song
• David Jackson “D J ” Carringer AI-assisted Song
• Henry Austin Carringer AI-assisted Song

3)  Google NotebookLM AI-assisted podcasts:

• Isaac Seaver (1823-1901) AI-assisted podcast
• John Richman (1788-1867) AI-assisted Podcast
• Devier James Lamphier Smith AI-assisted Podcast
• Henry Carringer (1800-1879) AI-assisted podcast
• David Jackson Carringer AI-assisted Podcast
• Henry Austin Carringer AI-assisted Podcast

Needless to say, these are not big sellers on the YouTube hit parade.  But they might entice my grandchildren to watch them in a bored scrolling session.  

It looks like I'm actually begging for subscribers and views!

4)  What is the long-term vision here?  It still is a video discussion in my voice of an ABC Biography including photographs, maps, a poem reading, the AI-assisted song, and the AI-assisted podcast audio (with summary slide).  That is likely to be more than the 30 minute limit on a free Canva video.  

5)  My perceived problem is that my voice in any video is weak and unsure (it's always been weak and unsure - I can't change now).  I have too many ums and ahs and silent seconds.   I've thought about using ElevenLabs.com to clone my own voice and use that to read the text to eliminate my ums and ahs, the embarrassing silent seconds while I think, plus the occasional expletive when things go wrong. I've often thought that I have a voice made for writing rather than audio and video. 

6)  My technical capabilities for dealing with audio and video are limited - I will probably never get to the point I can edit a video or insert funny images of video clips into my videos.  But who knows?  I told Lisa Louise Cooke in one of her first interview videos in 2008 that I would never do my own videos, and now here I am.

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The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/07/adding-ancestor-songs-and-podcasts-to.html

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

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 X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not be posted immediately.

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ABC Biography of #40 John Richman (1788-1867) of Hilperton, Wiltshire

 The Claude (now Sonnet 4) artificial intelligence tool can be used to write family-friendly biographies of my ancestors that might interest and engage my relatives and descendants to help them learn about and 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 wrote genealogical sketches for almost every known ancestor back through 9 generations in blog posts based on 38 years of genealogical research in my 52 Ancestors/Relatives Biographies series. The genealogical sketch for my 3rd great-grandfather, John Richman (1788-1867), #40 on my Ahnentafel List), including family members, record abstracts and sources, is 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 33: #40 John Richman (1788-1867).

(John Richman in about 1865, from family sources, colorized by MyHeritage)

2) For the Claude AI biography, I attached the PDF of the genealogical sketch for the specific ancestor using the plus (+) icon, and then prompted the AI tool with: "You are an expert genealogist. Please create a biography based on information in 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 engaging and suitable for family members."

3)  Here is the Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4 biography:

John Richman (1788-1867): A Life in Wiltshire

Early Life and Family Origins

John Richman was born around 1788 in the village of Hilperton, Wiltshire, England, during the final years of King George III's reign. While the exact date of his birth remains uncertain due to sparse church records of the era, census data suggests he was born between 1788 and 1792. His parents were likely John and Mary (Parsons) Richman. Interestingly, a baptismal record exists for a "John Rich" on September 27, 1789, in Hilperton—the child of John and Mary Rich. This may well be our John Richman, as the family occasionally used the shortened surname "Rich," a common practice in rural England at the time.

Parents and Siblings

John grew up as part of a large family typical of the late 18th century. His parents, John and Mary (Parsons) Richman, had eight children in total:

• Thomas Richman (1775-1851) - the eldest son
• Ann Richman (1777-1779) - died in infancy
• Joseph Richman (1779-1865) - lived to age 86
• Ann Richman (1782-unknown) - the second daughter named Ann
• Mary Richman (1784-1864) - lived to age 80
• Phebe Richman (1787-1788) - died in infancy
• John Richman (1788-1867) - our subject
• William Richman (1796-1852) - the youngest son

The family experienced the heartbreak common to the era, losing two children in infancy. John's survival to adulthood was fortunate, as infant mortality rates in late 18th-century England were tragically high.

John's childhood was further marked by loss when his mother, Mary (Parsons) Richman, died in 1802 in Hilperton. He was only about 14 years old at the time, still dependent on his family for support. Six years later, in 1808, his father John also passed away in Hilperton, leaving 20-year-old John and his younger brother William as orphans. 

These early losses likely strengthened the bonds between the surviving Richman siblings and may have contributed to John's decision to remain in Hilperton throughout his life, maintaining connections to his childhood home and the community that had supported his family through difficult times.

Marriage and Family Life

On February 8, 1811, at the age of approximately 23, John married Ann Marshman in a ceremony conducted by banns at St. Michael's Church in Hilperton. The wedding was officiated by J. Bailes, with Thomas Marshman—likely Ann's relative—serving as witness, and Richard Hiscock also present. Both John and Ann marked the marriage register with an "X," indicating they were unable to write their names, which was common among the working class of the time.

The couple established their home in Hilperton, where they would spend their entire married life. Their union was blessed with several children, though tragedy would visit their household repeatedly:

• Elizabeth Richman (born before October 6, 1811) - She survived to adulthood, married Thomas Hogan, had no children, and lived until August 1897
• Sarah Richman (born before April 3, 1814) - Married James Thompson in Bath, Somerset, in 1847, had four children, and died January 24, 1891
• John Richman Jr. (born before February 13, 1816) - Married Maria Matthews in 1835, had seven children, and died before June 1, 1884, in Bradford-on-Avon
• Ann Richman (baptized March 8, 1818) - Her later life remains unknown
• James Richman (born April 22, 1821) - Eventually emigrated to America, marrying Hannah Rich in 1845, had nine children, and dying December 20, 1912, in Putnam, Connecticut
• Thomas Richman (baptized June 22, 1823) - Died young at age 21 in September 1844
• Mary Richman (baptized June 22, 1823) - Died in infancy before March 1825
• Mary Richman (baptized March 23, 1825) - The second Mary, who lived only two months, dying in May 1825

The loss of multiple children, including two daughters both named Mary within a span of just two years, reflects the harsh realities of life in early 19th-century rural England.

Working Life and Occupations

John Richman was a man of varied trades, adapting to the economic demands of his time. Throughout his working life, he was recorded as a weaver, laborer, coal hauler, and butcher. This diversity of occupations was typical of rural working-class men who needed to find work wherever it was available.

In the 1841 census, he was listed as a coal hauler, a physically demanding job that involved transporting coal to homes and businesses. By 1851, he had established himself as a butcher, suggesting he had managed to secure a more stable and potentially profitable trade. A photograph from around 1865 shows him wearing a traditional Wiltshire smock, and according to an expert in period clothing who examined the image, John was likely both a farmer and butcher. The expert noted that his smock was made in Keevil, a village about four miles from Hilperton, indicating the local nature of his business connections.

Home and Community

The Richman family lived on Marsh Lane in Hilperton Marsh, a small community within the larger parish of Hilperton. In 1841, their household was multigenerational, with John and Ann living with their daughter Elizabeth and son James. Remarkably, their son John Jr. lived in the same dwelling with his own family, including his wife Maria and their three young children—Elizabeth, James, and baby David.

This arrangement was common in rural England, where families often shared housing due to economic necessity and strong family bonds. Ann Richman worked as a weaver, contributing to the family income, while Elizabeth also worked in the textile trade. The presence of multiple generations under one roof provided both economic advantages and emotional support during difficult times.

Later Years and Widowhood

By 1861, John had become a widower, Ann having passed away in 1856. At age 72, he was living as a pauper—a classification that meant he was receiving poor relief from the parish. He shared his modest home with his granddaughter Rosa Thompson (originally Rosa Richman), who at age 13 was working as a servant, likely helping to support her grandfather.

Despite his reduced circumstances, John maintained his dignity and connection to the community. The photograph taken around 1865, when he was approximately 77 years old, shows a distinguished-looking gentleman in his Sunday best, wearing a traditional Wiltshire smock and a top hat that, according to experts, was fashionable fifty years earlier—suggesting he had treasured and maintained it for decades.

Historical Context

John Richman lived through one of the most transformative periods in English history. Born during the Industrial Revolution's early stages, he witnessed the Napoleonic Wars, the Reform Acts that gradually expanded voting rights, and the beginning of the Victorian era. His village of Hilperton was part of Wiltshire's textile-producing region, and the family's involvement in weaving connected them to an industry that was rapidly changing due to mechanization.

The fact that John and Ann could not write their names in 1811 but that their granddaughter Rosa was described as a "scholar" in 1851 reflects the gradual improvements in education that occurred during John's lifetime. The establishment of church schools and the growing recognition of the importance of literacy slowly reached even rural communities like Hilperton.

Final Years and Legacy

John Richman died on April 26, 1867, at the age of 79 in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. He was laid to rest in St. Michael's Church cemetery in Hilperton, the same church where he had been baptized and where he had married Ann nearly 56 years earlier. His burial in the family parish, despite dying in the neighboring town of Bradford-on-Avon, demonstrates the enduring connection to his home community.

John's legacy lived on through his surviving children and their descendants. His son James carried the family name to America, settling in Connecticut where the Richman line continued. The preservation of his photograph by descendants, passed down through generations and still cherished by family members in both England and America, speaks to the lasting impact of this humble Wiltshire man.

Remembering John Richman

John Richman's life story is one of resilience, adaptation, and enduring family bonds. From his uncertain beginnings in the sparse church records of the 1780s to his dignified photograph in the 1860s, he represents the experiences of countless working-class English families who lived through dramatic social and economic changes. His ability to provide for his family through various trades, to maintain his dignity despite financial hardship in old age, and to leave descendants who would honor his memory across continents, marks him as a man who, while never famous, lived a life of quiet significance.

The traditional Wiltshire smock he wore, the top hat he treasured, and the village community that supported him in his final years all speak to a way of life that was disappearing even as he lived it. John Richman stands as a bridge between the rural England of the 18th century and the more modern world that his descendants would inherit.

4) A poem and song lyrics to commemorate the life of John Richman (1788-1867) can be found in "Richman's Threads Of Time" -- A Family History Poem, Song and Podcast Created by Artificial Intelligence.  The song created from the song lyrics can be played in that blog post, and in "John Richman's Threads of Time" on Suno.com., and below:

5) An audio overview (essentially a podcast created by the Google NotebookLM AI tool) discussing the life of John Richman (1788-1867) can be heard in:  https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/4c051b01-924d-4a30-a20b-8d1e2e589f12/audio.  Here's a YouTube video with the podcast:

6) I 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 can write. I was an aerospace engineer in my former life, and my research reports and genealogical sketches reflect "just the facts gleaned from my research." The AI tools are very perceptive, insightful and create readable text in seconds, including local and national historical events and social history detail.

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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

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/07/abc-biography-of-40-john-richman-1788.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.

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Added and Updated FamilySearch Record Collections - Week of 19 to 25 July 2025

Each week, genealogy record collections are added, removed, and/or updated on FamilySearch and listed on the Historical Record Collection list at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list.

As of 25 July 2025, there are 3,409 historical record collections on FamilySearch (an increase of 1 from last week):

The added, deleted, and updated collections this week from FamilySearch:

--- Collections Added ---

*  Italy, Modena, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1920-1946 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000266); 68,110 indexed records with 50,299 record images, ADDED 21-Jul-2025

--- Collections Updated ---

Brazil, Foreigner Files, 1653-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000160); 132,501 indexed records with 2,193,444 record images (was 130,543 records with 2,191,552 images), UPDATED 24-Jul-2025
Colombia, Migration Records, 1885-2014 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000159); 6,569,331 indexed records with 6,309,575 record images (was 6,549,521 records with 6,263,462 images), UPDATED 24-Jul-2025
Costa Rica, Catholic Church Records, 1595-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1460016); 7,491,217 indexed records with 962,203 record images (was 7,380,842 records with 962,203 images), UPDATED 18-Jul-2025
Italy, Cagliari, Cagliari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1934 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043426); 280,945 indexed records with 1,791,108 record images (was 278,239 records with 1,791,108 images), UPDATED 24-Jul-2025
Italy, Genova, Chiavari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482818); 377,110 indexed records with 650,745 record images (was 359,666 records with 650,745 images), UPDATED 24-Jul-2025

Italy, Oristano, Oristano, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947719); 312,350 indexed records with 342,194 record images (was 312,145 records with 342,194 images), UPDATED 23-Jul-2025
Italy, Padova, Padova, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946877); 1,048,707 indexed records with 1,745,536 record images (was 1,011,362 records with 1,745,536 images), UPDATED 23-Jul-2025
Italy, Teramo, Teramo, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947829); 171,933 indexed records with 425,736 record images (was 170,913 records with 425,736 images), UPDATED 22-Jul-2025
Italy, Terni, Orvieto, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1910 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043538); 128,767 indexed records with 43,324 record images (was 128,749 records with 43,316 images), UPDATED 22-Jul-2025
New Hampshire, Vital and Town Records Index, 1656-1938 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2366595); Index only (242,417 records), no images (was 6 records with 0 images), UPDATED 23-Jul-2025

United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1968530); 32,593,864 indexed records with 24,999,338 record images (was 32,593,872 records with 24,999,338 images), UPDATED 21-Jul-2025

--- Collections with new images ---

Alabama, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932389); 31,582 indexed records with 31,582 record images (was 31,582 records with 22,190 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Argentina, Buenos Aires City, Civil Registration, 1811-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000077); 1 indexed records with 10,181 record images (was 1 records with 10,169 images), last updated 26-Nov-2024
Argentina, Military Records, 1911-1936 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000280); 1 indexed records with 2,924,923 record images (was 1 records with 2,924,921 images), last updated 31-Oct-2024
Argentina, Tierra del Fuego, Civil Registration, 1893-1985 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000048); 1 indexed records with 3,305 record images (was 1 records with 3,303 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Arizona, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1854310); 1,173 indexed records with 1,173 record images (was 1,173 records with 853 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012

Arkansas, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932392); 158,093 indexed records with 158,093 record images (was 158,093 records with 109,976 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Delaware, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932394); 179,813 indexed records with 179,813 record images (was 179,813 records with 6,546 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Find a Grave Index (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2221801); 257,559,596 indexed records with 70,410,735 record images (was 257,559,596 records with 47,910,736 images), last updated 11-Jul-2025
Florida, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932369); 285,975 indexed records with 285,975 record images (was 285,975 records with 112,128 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Florida, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932395); 25,416 indexed records with 25,416 record images (was 25,416 records with 416 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012

Italy, Ivrea Diocesi di Ivrea, Catholic Church Records, 1474-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000373); 1 indexed records with 35,871 record images (was 1 records with 35,870 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024
Italy, Torino, Diocese of Torino, Catholic Church Records, 1801-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000113); 1 indexed records with 142,132 record images (was 1 records with 142,130 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024
Kentucky, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932398); 1,256,188 indexed records with 1,256,188 record images (was 1,256,188 records with 880,228 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Louisiana, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932372); 778,925 indexed records with 778,925 record images (was 778,925 records with 556,967 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Louisiana, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932399); 119,515 indexed records with 119,515 record images (was 119,515 records with 83,890 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012

Maryland, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932373); 43,508 indexed records with 43,508 record images (was 43,508 records with 30,618 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Maryland, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932407); 642,857 indexed records with 642,857 record images (was 642,857 records with 449,979 images), last updated 15-May-2012
Mississippi, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932375); 1,269,794 indexed records with 1,269,794 record images (was 1,269,794 records with 895,767 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Mississippi, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932409); 9,701 indexed records with 9,701 record images (was 9,701 records with 6,792 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Missouri, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932374); 348,259 indexed records with 348,259 record images (was 348,259 records with 248,389 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012

Missouri, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932408); 2,099,748 indexed records with 2,099,748 record images (was 2,099,748 records with 1,466,966 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Nevada, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932420); 25,709 indexed records with 25,709 record images (was 25,709 records with 17,825 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
New Mexico, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932418); 118,866 indexed records with 118,866 record images (was 118,866 records with 83,994 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
New York, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932388); 60,000 indexed records with 60,000 record images (was 60,000 records with 41,450 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
North Carolina, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932376); 1,773,886 indexed records with 1,773,886 record images (was 1,773,886 records with 1,244,110 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012

North Carolina, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932416); 58,417 indexed records with 58,417 record images (was 58,417 records with 40,983 images), last updated 15-May-2012
Oregon, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932421); 53,945 indexed records with 53,945 record images (was 53,945 records with 37,398 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Tennessee, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932378); 1,117,605 indexed records with 1,117,605 record images (was 1,117,605 records with 792,401 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Tennessee, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932422); 578,993 indexed records with 578,993 record images (was 578,993 records with 405,886 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Texas, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932381); 956,501 indexed records with 956,501 record images (was 956,501 records with 679,561 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012

Texas, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932425); 33,955 indexed records with 33,955 record images (was 33,955 records with 23,945 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
United States, Civil War Confederate Applications for Pardons, 1865-1867 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1936545); 79,992 indexed records with 79,992 record images (was 79,992 records with 79,159 images), last updated 26-Sep-2011
United States, Civil War Records of Confederate Nonregiment Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932377); 498,640 indexed records with 498,640 record images (was 498,640 records with 351,073 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
United States, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932383); 275,550 indexed records with 275,550 record images (was 275,550 records with 197,055 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
United States, Civil War Service Records of Union Colored Troops, 1863-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932431); 2,319,767 indexed records with 2,319,767 record images (was 2,319,767 records with 1,608,376 images), last updated 03-Apr-2012

United States, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1864-1866 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932430); 119,672 indexed records with 119,672 record images (was 119,672 records with 83,090 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
United States, Civil War Unfiled Papers of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932387); 924,845 indexed records with 924,845 record images (was 924,845 records with 915,516 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
United States, Revolutionary War Compiled Service Records, 1775-1783 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1849623); 1,997,022 indexed records with 1,997,022 record images (was 1,997,022 records with 1,994,417 images), last updated 15-Sep-2010
Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932382); 2,252,877 indexed records with 2,252,877 record images (was 2,252,877 records with 1,583,736 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932427); 15,239 indexed records with 15,239 record images (was 15,239 records with 10,687 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012

West Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932429); 686,688 indexed records with 686,688 record images (was 686,688 records with 480,438 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
West Virginia, Deaths, 1804-1999 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1417434); 2,220,736 indexed records with 2,407,839 record images (was 2,220,736 records with 20 images), last updated 16-Nov-2023

--- Collections with images removed ---

Brazil, Alagoas, Civil Registration, 1876-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469403); 1 indexed records with 453,955 record images (was 1 records with 453,956 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024
Dakota Territory, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932393); 4,693 indexed records with 87 record images (was 4,693 records with 3,317 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Georgia, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932370); 1,776,643 indexed records with 1,208,312 record images (was 1,776,643 records with 1,730,201 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Georgia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932397); 1,613 indexed records with 36 record images (was 1,613 records with 777 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012
Italy, Vercelli, Vercelli, Civil Registration (State Archive), 1802-1813, 1838-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1939214); 1,682 indexed records with 17,847 record images (was 1,682 records with 17,865 images), last updated 29-May-2025

United Kingdom, Outgoing Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4229516); 24,113,046 indexed records with 14 record images (was 24,113,046 records with 44,734 images), last updated 20-Oct-2021
United States, Census, 1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4464515); 157,892,854 indexed records with 52,722,241 record images (was 157,892,854 records with 52,722,731 images), last updated 16-Jun-2024
United States, Civil War Confederate Papers of Citizens or Businesses, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1937233); 2,040,863 indexed records with 2,654 record images (was 2,040,863 records with 1,982,739 images), last updated 26-Sep-2011
Utah, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1932426); 231 indexed records with 1 record images (was 231 records with 150 images), last updated 20-Apr-2012

--- Collections with new records ---

--- Collections with records removed ---

United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages, 1980-2015 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2333694); 28,662,414 indexed records with 46,919,022 record images (was 28,662,415 records with 46,919,022 images), last updated 15-Apr-2025
United States, Public Records, 1970-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2199956); Index only (875,605,657 records), no images (was 875,605,666 records with 0 images), last updated 24-Jan-2025
United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000290); Index only (413,872,361 records), no images (was 413,872,368 records with 0 images), last updated 22-Jun-2024

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

My friend and SDGS colleague, Marshall, has come up with a way to determine which collections are ADDED, DELETED or UPDATED, and to alphabetize the entries in each category. Thanks to Marshall for helping me out here!

Marshall notes that there are:

• 0 removed entries
• 1  added entries 
• 11 updated entries
• 51 entries with more or fewer images 
• 3 entries with more or fewer records

The FamilySearch website says there are 3,409 total entries on the list (without signing in). Marshall's list says there are 3,410 (without signing in).  They are not in-sync this week.

There are now 3,910 searchable image collections on FamilySearch Full-Text Search this week, an increase of 5 from last week. It is not possible to see which collections are new.

There are now 26,798 browsable image collections on FamilySearch Images this week, a decrease of 7 from last week. It is not possible to see which collections are new.

See previous FamilySearch-related blog posts in   https://www.geneamusings.com/search/label/FamilySearch

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

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/07/added-and-updated-familysearch-record_25.html

Copyright (c) 2025 Randall J. Seaver

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 X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not be posted immediately.

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Added and Updated Ancestry.com Record Collections - Week of 19 to 25 July 2025

 The following genealogy record collections were added to the Ancestry.com Card Catalog page by Date Updated during the period from 19 to 25 July 2025:

The ADDED and Updated collections include:

• Berlin, Germany, Births, 1874-1910; 7,847,534 indexed records with record images, Updated 7/24/2025.  Get to the roots of your Berlin ancestors with this collection of birth records from Berlin, Germany, 1874–1910.
• Germany, Deaths of German Citizens Abroad, Registers from Berlin Standesamt 1, 1939-1955; 535,085 indexed records with record images, Updated 7/24/2025. This collection contains death records from the Standesamtes I civil registry in Berlin. 
• U.S., WWII Alien Registration, 1940-1955; 8,253,861 indexed records with record images, ADDED 7/23/2025.  This collection contains Alien Registration records from the United States between the years 1940 and 1955. Most records are in English.
• U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current; 216,773,418 indexed records without record images, Updated 7/21/2025. This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources.  
• Aberdeenshire, Scotland, School Admission Registers, 1852-1928; 718,563 indexed records with record images, Updated 7/21/2025.  This collection contains images of school admission registers produced in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, between 1856 and 1928. The registers are arranged in a ledger format with printed column headings.
• UK and Ireland, Obituary Index, 2004-Current; 8,470,679 indexed records without record images, Updated 7/21/2025. This collection is an index of information taken from online obituaries published in the United Kingdom and Ireland between 2004 and the present.
• Australia and New Zealand, Obituary Index, 2004-Current; 2,491,119 indexed records without record images, Updated 7/21/2025. This collection is an index of information taken from online obituaries published in Australia and New Zealand between 2004 and the present.
• Canada, Obituary Collection, 1898-Current; 12,117,735 indexed records without record images, Updated 7/21/2025. This database is a compilation of obituaries published in Canadian newspapers, collected from various online sources. 
• U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current; 143,602,708 indexed records without record images, Updated 7/21/2025. This collection is an index of information taken from online obituaries published by cemeteries and funeral homes in the United States between 1847 and the present.
• Caribbean, Obituary Index, 2003-Current; 97,738 indexed records without record images, Updated 7/21/2025. This collection is an index of information taken from online obituaries published in the Caribbean between 2003 and the present.

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The complete Ancestry.com Card Catalog is at https://search.ancestry.com/search/CardCatalog.aspx.  

By my count, there are 1 NEW record collections ADDED this past week, per the list above.  There are now 33,834 collections available as of 25 July, an INCREASE of 1 from last week. 

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

Disclosure: I pay for an All-Access subscription from Ancestry.com. In past years, Ancestry.com  provided a complimentary All Access subscription, an autosomal DNA test, material considerations for travel expenses to meetings, and hosted events and meals that I attended in Salt Lake City.

The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2025/07/added-and-updated-ancestrycom-record_0243111431.html

Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver

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 so they may not appear immediately.

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com.  

Ask AI: "What Was Life Like for Thomas Richmond, Age 11, in 1860 in Burrillville, Rhode Island?"

The Artificial Intelligence tools (like ChatGPT, Claude, CoPilot, Gemini, Grok, Meta, Grok, 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.

I wondered if the FREE AI tools could provide me with information about a young England-born  boy's life in 1860 in Burrilville, Rhode Island  My 2nd great-grandfather, Thomas Richmond (1848-1917), was 12 years old in 1860 living with his family on a farm in Burrillville  What was Thomas's life like in 1860?  What was the family life like?  Did  have work to do and fun to enjoy?  

1)  I chose to use the responses from free Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4 (as of 23 July 2025) today.  

My Prompt was:  "Thomas Richman's life is summarized in the attached document.  What was his life like in, say, 1860 when he was 11 years old and residing in Burrillville, Rhode Island.  What responsibilities did he have, what fun did he have, and what would he be learning in school?"

I uploaded a PDF of my updated Genea-Musings blog post 52 Ancestors Friday: Thomas Richman/Richmond (1848-1917) to provide information to the AI Tool.

(AI-created image from OpenAI ChatGPT4o)

2)  The free Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4 AI tool responded with:

Thomas Richmond's Life at Age 11 in 1860

His Living Situation

Thomas lived in a bustling household in rural Burrillville, Rhode Island, with seven family members crowded into what was likely a modest farmhouse. As the eldest child at 11, he occupied a unique position of responsibility and privilege within the family hierarchy.

The Richmond family had undergone significant upheaval in recent years. Having immigrated from England just four years earlier in 1856 when Thomas was only 7, they were still adapting to American life. The family had changed their surname from "Richman" to "Richmond" as part of their assimilation process, and Thomas was learning to navigate between his English heritage and his new American identity.

His father James worked as a farm laborer, meaning the family likely rented their dwelling and worked on someone else's land rather than owning their own farm. This placed them in the working class, with financial security dependent on James's physical ability to work and the seasonal demands of agriculture. The household would have been cramped, with Thomas probably sharing sleeping space with his younger brother James (age 9), while the girls - Louisa (age 7), Elizabeth (age 6), and Emma (age 4) - shared another room or area. Baby Hannah (age 2) would have slept in the room with her parents.

The home itself would have been simple - likely a wooden frame house with a few rooms, heated by wood stoves or fireplaces. There would have been no indoor plumbing, electricity, or modern conveniences. Water came from a well or nearby stream, and an outhouse and chamber pots served sanitary needs. The kitchen would have been the heart of the home, with a large wood-burning stove where his mother Hannah prepared meals and did much of the family's work.

Responsibilities He Would Have Had

Daily Farm Chores

Thomas's day began before dawn with essential farm work. He would have been responsible for feeding chickens, collecting eggs, and ensuring the henhouse was secure. If the family kept a cow (common for farm laborers to have one for milk), Thomas would help with milking twice daily - early morning and evening. He'd also tend to any pigs, goats, or other livestock, ensuring they had feed and clean water.

Seasonal responsibilities were intensive. During spring planting, Thomas would help prepare soil, plant seeds, and maintain kitchen gardens that provided much of the family's food. Summer meant constant weeding, watering, and protecting crops from pests. Fall harvest time was particularly demanding - Thomas would work alongside his father gathering crops, preparing them for storage, and helping with preservation activities like making sauerkraut or drying vegetables.

Household Maintenance

Wood was essential for heating and cooking, so Thomas spent considerable time chopping kindling, splitting logs, and stacking wood to dry. He'd maintain the wood supply year-round, ensuring the family never ran out during harsh Rhode Island winters.

Water collection was a daily chore - Thomas would carry buckets from the well or stream multiple times per day for cooking, cleaning, and drinking. In winter, this might involve breaking ice. He'd also help maintain the house itself - patching roof leaks, chinning gaps in walls with mud or cloth, and keeping pathways clear.

Caring for Younger Siblings

As the eldest, Thomas served as a deputy parent when his mother and father were busy with work. He'd supervise his siblings during play, ensure they completed their chores, and help settle disputes. This included helping dress the younger children, teaching them basic skills, and keeping them safe around farm animals and equipment.

During busy seasons, Thomas might be solely responsible for watching the children while his parents worked long days in the fields. This meant organizing activities, preparing simple meals, and ensuring everyone was accounted for - a significant responsibility for an 11-year-old.

Economic Contributions

Though attending school, Thomas likely contributed to the family's meager income through small jobs. He might trap small animals for fur, collect berries or nuts to sell, help neighbors with their harvests for small payments, or assist with simple manufacturing work that could be done at home - common in rural New England where textile piece-work was often distributed to families.

School Life and Learning

The Physical School Environment

Thomas attended a typical one-room schoolhouse, probably a simple wooden building with rough-hewn benches and desks. The room would be heated by a single wood stove, making it uncomfortably hot near the stove and cold by the windows. Students brought their own slate boards for writing practice and shared limited supplies like chalk and books.

The school day ran roughly from 8 AM to 4 PM, but attendance was flexible based on family needs. During planting and harvest seasons, Thomas might miss weeks of school to help with farm work. Winter attendance was more regular, as this was when farm work slowed down.

Curriculum and Daily Lessons

The teacher, likely a young unmarried woman earning minimal wages, taught all grade levels simultaneously. Thomas would have been grouped with other children around his age and ability level, but in the same room with children ranging from 5 to 16 years old.

Reading: Thomas practiced with the McGuffey Readers, which combined basic literacy with moral lessons. He'd read aloud daily, working through increasingly complex passages that included Bible verses, patriotic stories, and moral tales designed to build character alongside reading skills.

Writing: Using a slate and chalk, Thomas practiced penmanship daily. Good handwriting was considered essential for any future employment. He'd copy passages, practice letter formation, and eventually progress to writing with ink and quill pens on paper - a privilege reserved for more advanced students.

Arithmetic: Math education focused on practical skills needed for commerce and daily life. Thomas learned addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, progressing to fractions and simple geometry. Problems often involved real-world scenarios like calculating the cost of grain or determining land area.

Geography: Thomas studied maps of the United States and world, memorizing state capitals, major rivers, and mountain ranges. Given his family's recent immigration, geography lessons helped him understand his place in his new country.

History: American history was taught with strong patriotic emphasis, focusing on the Revolutionary War, founding fathers, and American institutions. This was particularly meaningful for Thomas as a recent immigrant learning about his adopted country's heritage.

Moral and Religious Instruction: Each day began with Bible reading and prayer. Students memorized scripture verses and discussed moral lessons. Character development was considered as important as academic learning.

School Social Dynamics

Thomas would have been known as one of the "English boys," marking him as different from children whose families had been in America for generations. His slight accent and different cultural references might have made him stand out, though by 1860 he'd been in America for four years and was likely well-integrated.

As an older student, Thomas might have helped teach younger children, a common practice in one-room schools. This responsibility would have reinforced his own learning while developing leadership skills.

Recreation and Fun

Outdoor Adventures

Rural Rhode Island offered abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation with neighbor and school friends. Thomas would have known every stream, pond, and wooded area within walking distance of home. Swimming in local ponds or streams was a favorite summer activity, though children typically swam in makeshift clothes or underwear.

Fishing provided both recreation and potential food for the family table. Thomas would have made his own fishing lines from horsehair or thread, carved hooks from bones, and known the best spots for catching trout or bass. Ice fishing in winter extended this activity year-round.

Hunting small game was both sport and necessity. Thomas might have used slingshots or simple traps to catch rabbits, squirrels, or birds - skills that contributed to family meals while providing excitement and challenge.

Seasonal Activities

Spring: Thomas would search for the first wildflowers, help tap maple trees for syrup, and enjoy the freedom of being outdoors again after long winters. Bird-watching and identifying returning migrant species was a common pastime.

Summer: Long days meant extended outdoor play. Thomas might build dams in streams, construct forts in wooded areas, or organize games with neighborhood children. Berry picking - strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries - combined work with play, as children could eat while they picked.

Fall: Harvest festivals and apple picking provided community recreation. Thomas might help with corn husking bees, where neighbors gathered to process corn while socializing. Collecting colorful leaves, nuts, and interesting stones was popular among children.

Winter: Ice skating on frozen ponds was a major winter recreation, though Thomas would have used simple metal runners strapped to boots rather than modern skates. Sledding down hills, building snow forts, and having snowball fights filled long winter days. Indoor activities included whittling, simple woodworking projects, and helping with winter crafts.

Games and Toys

Children in 1860 created their own entertainment with simple materials. Thomas would have played marbles - an intensely popular game where children competed for keeps, trading and winning marbles from each other. Hoops made from old barrel rings were rolled with sticks in races or trick competitions.

Traditional Games: Tag, hide-and-seek, and variations like "Red Rover" were played with siblings and neighborhood children. "King of the Hill" battles on hay piles or snow mounds provided competitive fun.

Seasonal Sports: Informal baseball was gaining popularity, though equipment was improvised - balls made from tightly wound string and cloth, bats carved from tree branches. Wrestling and running races provided competitive outlets.

Individual Activities: Thomas might have learned to whittle, creating simple toys or useful items. Collecting items like unusual stones, bird feathers, or insects was common among children interested in nature.

Family and Community Recreation

Sunday Activities: After church services (likely attending with his family as most rural communities centered around religious observance), Thomas would have enjoyed the one day when work was minimal. Families visited each other, children played together, and everyone relaxed.

Community Gatherings: Barn raisings, harvest celebrations, and church socials provided opportunities for Thomas to interact with other families and children from the broader community. These events often included games, simple music, and shared meals.

Storytelling: Long winter evenings were filled with storytelling. Thomas's parents might share tales from England, while neighbors told local legends or ghost stories. These oral traditions provided entertainment and cultural connection.

Simple Music: If the family owned a harmonica or simple fiddle, evening music provided entertainment. Thomas might have learned simple songs or participated in family singing, a common way to pass time and bond.

Challenges and Limitations

Recreation had to be balanced carefully with responsibilities. Thomas couldn't simply play whenever he wanted - chores came first, and seasonal work demands meant play time varied dramatically throughout the year.

Safety was always a concern. Parents worried about children near water, getting lost in woods, or being injured by farm equipment or animals. Thomas would have learned early to be cautious and responsible during his recreational activities.

Weather severely limited options. Rhode Island winters were harsh, confining children indoors for days at a time. Spring mud season made outdoor play messy and difficult. Summer heat and humidity could be oppressive, while fall brought early darkness that shortened play time.

Despite these limitations, Thomas's childhood combined the satisfaction of meaningful work with the joy of simple pleasures, preparing him for the industrious adult life that lay ahead in America's growing textile industry.

3) I asked the free OpenAI ChatGPT4, X Grok 3, and Google Gemini 2.5 Flash the same query and received similar responses.

4)   I have no easy way to double check on these responses from the Chatbots.  I don't have book resources for the subjects and the locality.  The families mentioned are my ancestors and I have significant information about their lives from the available records, but know nothing about their daily lives.  

5)  After I read these types of social history summaries, I wish that I could be a time traveler for one day to visit the Richmond family in England and New England and witness their daily lives.  I'm glad that the general lifestyles and occupations are known from historical records and witness accounts.

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

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/2025/07/ask-ai-what-was-life-like-for-thomas.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.  Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.

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