I'm training myself to ask questions about my genealogy and family history research of the available Artificial Intelligence tools. This is hard to do for an experienced male aerospace engineer! But it is instructive!
Today, my prompt was: You are a professional genealogist. Please provide genealogy research suggestions for finding the parents of Sarah Fletcher (1802-before 1850) who married Abraham Kemp (1795-1881) in 1818 probably in Prince Edward County, Ontario, and resided there the rest of her life. Abraham and Sarah Kemp had 11 children between 1820 and 1847 (Waity Catherine Kemp, Mary Ann Kemp, Stephen J. Kemp, William Henry Kemp, Jmes Abraham Kemp, John L. Kemp, Peter Evans Kemp, Andrew Hait Kemp, Sarah Jane Kemp, Charles W. Kemp and Wesley Kemp).
(image created by Microsoft Designer)
I asked this question to the free AI tools on OpenAI's ChatGPT-4, Anthropic's Claude, Microsoft's CoPilot, Google's Gemini and Perplexity.
In my opinion, by far the best and most complete answer (IMHO) I received was from OpenAI's ChatGPT:
To find the parents of Sarah Fletcher (1802-before 1850) who married
Abraham Kemp in 1818 in Prince Edward County, Ontario, consider the
following genealogy research suggestions:
1. Marriage
Records:
**Church
Registers: Search church records in Prince Edward County for a
marriage entry for Sarah Fletcher and Abraham Kemp around 1818. These
records might list the names of their parents or witnesses who could
be relatives.
**Civil
Registration: Although civil registration in Ontario began later
(in 1869), some counties kept earlier records. Check if Prince Edward
County has any early civil registration records or church marriage
records that might have survived.
2. Census
Records:
**Pre-1851
Census Substitutes: Since Sarah Fletcher died before the 1851
Census of Canada, she won't appear in it. However, check earlier
censuses or substitute records like tax assessments, militia rolls,
or township papers for evidence of Fletcher families living nearby.
**1842 Census
of Canada West: This census includes heads of households and the
number of family members. Sarah's presence here would confirm her
location and possible nearby relatives.
3. Land and
Property Records:
**Land
Petitions and Grants: Explore Upper Canada Land Petitions for any
records involving Fletcher families in Prince Edward County. Land
petitions sometimes include family details, including relationships
and origins.
**Land Deeds
and Transactions: Review land deeds, transfers, and other
property-related documents involving the Fletcher and Kemp surnames.
Look for any transactions that might involve Sarah or her potential
relatives.
4. Church and
Cemetery Records:
**Baptism and
Burial Records: Investigate church records in Prince Edward County
for baptisms of Sarah and Abraham’s children, which might list
godparents who could be relatives. Also, look for burial records of
Sarah Fletcher Kemp, which could offer clues about her parents or
relatives.
**Cemetery
Inscriptions: Check local cemeteries in Prince Edward County for
Fletcher or Kemp family graves. Family burial plots might provide
additional family names or relationships.
5. Wills and
Probate Records:
**Fletcher
Family Estates: Search for wills or probate records for individuals
with the Fletcher surname in Prince Edward County from the early
1800s. These documents can list heirs and establish family
connections.
**Kemp Family
Estates: Since Sarah predeceased Abraham, check his will or probate
record to see if any Fletcher relatives are mentioned.
6. Local
Histories and Biographies:
**County and
Township Histories: Review local histories of Prince Edward County
and its townships for mentions of the Fletcher family. Early
settlers’ biographies or community profiles often include family
background information.
**Biographical
Sketches: Look for published family histories or genealogies in
local libraries or archives that might mention the Kemp or Fletcher
families.
7. Newspapers:
**Obituaries
and Notices: Search for any mention of Sarah Fletcher or her
descendants in local newspapers. Obituaries, death notices, and
marriage announcements might provide valuable details about her
family.
**Community
News: Scan community columns and social notes for mentions of the
Kemp and Fletcher families, which could provide hints about family
connections and activities.
8. DNA Testing
and Analysis:
**Autosomal DNA
Testing: Consider taking a DNA test or analyzing existing results
to identify potential Fletcher family connections. Use segment
analysis to find common ancestors and connect with Fletcher
descendants who might have more information.
**DNA
Matches: Focus on matches with known Ontario ancestry, particularly
those connected to Prince Edward County. Collaborate with matches to
build out family trees and identify possible parents for Sarah.
9. Genealogical and Historical Societies:
**Prince Edward
County Genealogical Resources: Contact local genealogical and
historical societies for access to unpublished records,
transcriptions, or research collections related to early settlers in
the area.
**Ontario
Genealogical Society: The Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) may
have resources or volunteers who can assist with researching early
families in Prince Edward County.
10. Court and
Guardianship Records:
**Family Court
Records: Explore court records for any guardianship papers,
particularly if Sarah Fletcher was a minor at the time of her
marriage or if her parents died young.
**Bastardy
Bonds or Illegitimacy Cases: If there is a chance Sarah was born
out of wedlock, look for bastardy bonds or court cases that might
mention her mother's or father's names.
By systematically
exploring these records, you may uncover clues that will lead to the
identification of Sarah Fletcher's parents.
Followup Prompt:
What are the most common challenges when researching 19th-century
Ontario genealogy?
Researching
19th-century Ontario genealogy presents several challenges due to the
nature of historical records and the specific circumstances of the
region during that period. Here are some of the most common
challenges:
1. Lack of
Civil Registration Records
**Late Start of
Civil Registration: Ontario did not begin civil registration
(recording births, marriages, and deaths) until 1869. Before this,
records of these events were maintained by churches or were not
recorded at all, making it difficult to find comprehensive and
consistent information.
**Inconsistent
Record-Keeping: Even after civil registration began, early records
may be incomplete, have errors, or lack detailed information. Some
events might not have been reported due to geographic isolation, lack
of understanding, or resistance from the populace.
2. Fragmented
Church Records
**Multiple
Denominations: Ontario had a diverse population with many different
religious denominations (Anglican, Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian,
Baptist, etc.). Records are often scattered among various church
archives, and some congregations may no longer exist.
**Lost or
Inaccessible Records: Many early church records have been lost due
to fire, decay, or poor preservation practices. In some cases,
records are held in private collections or distant archives, making
access difficult.
3. High Rates
of Migration
**Frequent
Movement: The 19th century was a period of significant migration in
Ontario, with families frequently moving within the province or to
other parts of Canada and the United States. This movement
complicates tracking individuals and families over time, as they may
not appear consistently in local records.
**Lack of
Documentation: Migrants often left few traces in records,
especially if they moved frequently or settled temporarily in an
area. Migration paths can be hard to trace without consistent
records.
4. Sparse
Census Data
**Early Census
Limitations: Prior to 1851, Canadian censuses were typically
heads-of-household enumerations that provided minimal information
about other household members. Even the 1851 and 1861 censuses have
limitations, such as missing portions for some areas and lack of
detailed personal information.
**Incomplete
Coverage: Some census records are missing entirely due to loss or
damage. Additionally, some regions were not covered comprehensively,
particularly more remote or newly settled areas.
5. Language
Barriers and Changing Names
**Multiple
Languages: Ontario’s population included speakers of English,
French, German, Dutch, Gaelic, and Indigenous languages. Records may
be in any of these languages, requiring knowledge of specific
vocabulary and script.
**Name
Variations and Changes: Names may have been Anglicized or altered
upon immigration or during an individual's lifetime. Spelling
variations are common, and indexing errors can occur due to
handwriting interpretation or language differences.
6. Limited
Availability of Land and Property Records
**Complex Land
Systems: Ontario's land records can be complicated due to multiple
types of land grants, including Crown grants, United Empire Loyalist
grants, and Clergy Reserves. Understanding these systems and finding
the associated records can be challenging.
**Scattered and
Incomplete Records: Early land records might be scattered among
various archives or lost over time. Many early settlers may not have
completed formal land transactions, relying on informal agreements
instead.
7. Sparse
Vital Record Substitutes
**Limited
Substitutes: Before civil registration, alternatives like family
Bibles, newspaper announcements, and local histories are often used
as substitutes for vital records. However, these are not
comprehensive and often lack detail or consistency.
**Reliability
Issues: Family stories, Bible entries, or local histories may be
based on memory or oral tradition, which can introduce errors or
biases.
8. Destruction
or Loss of Records
**Fires and
Disasters: Many original records were lost in fires, floods, or
other disasters common in the 19th century, particularly before
modern archival practices.
**Poor
Preservation Practices: Lack of preservation awareness and
techniques in the 19th century led to the deterioration of many
records over time.
9. Changes in
Political and Administrative Boundaries
**Boundary
Changes: Ontario’s administrative boundaries changed frequently
in the 19th century, as new counties and townships were created.
Understanding these changes is essential to locating records but can
add complexity to research.
**Record
Relocation: When boundaries changed, records were often moved to
new administrative centers, creating gaps or confusion about where
documents are stored.
10. Indigenous
and Metis Records
**Limited
Records for Indigenous Peoples: Records for Indigenous and Metis
individuals are often sparse or recorded by colonial authorities with
biases and errors. Understanding traditional names, cultural
contexts, and the effects of treaties and settlements is crucial but
challenging.
**Specialized
Archives: Some Indigenous records are held in specialized archives
that require specific permissions or knowledge to access, which can
hinder research.
Despite these
challenges, using a combination of available records, understanding
the historical context, and employing creative research strategies
can help overcome these obstacles and successfully trace 19th-century
Ontario ancestors.
Followup prompt:
What are the most reliable sources for 19th-century Ontario
genealogy?
When researching
19th-century Ontario genealogy, it is essential to utilize reliable
sources that provide accurate and comprehensive information about
individuals and families. Here are some of the most reliable sources
for 19th-century Ontario genealogy:
1. Church
Records
**Baptisms,
Marriages, and Burials: Church records are a primary source for
vital events before civil registration began in 1869. They often
include baptisms, marriages, and burials, which can provide names,
dates, locations, and sometimes parents' names and witnesses.
**Membership
and Confirmation Records: These records can provide insights into
family religious affiliations and movements. They sometimes include
detailed information about family relationships and migration
patterns.
2. Census
Records
**1825, 1842,
1851, and 1861 Censuses: These censuses offer valuable demographic
information, including names, ages, places of birth, occupations, and
relationships within households. The 1851 and 1861 censuses are more
detailed, providing additional context for families and their living
conditions.
**Special
Census Schedules: Some censuses have special schedules, such as
agricultural schedules, which can provide additional information
about an ancestor’s landholdings, livestock, and agricultural
production.
3. Land and
Property Records
**Crown Land
Grants and Petitions: These documents are crucial for tracing early
settlers and land ownership in Ontario. They often include detailed
information about when land was acquired, the conditions of the
grant, and sometimes information about the applicant’s origins or
family.
**Land Deeds
and Transfers: These records track the sale and transfer of land
and can help establish family relationships through deeds that
mention heirs, relatives, or adjoining property owners.
4. Wills and
Probate Records
**Wills and
Estates: Probate records are invaluable for understanding family
relationships, as they often name heirs, executors, and
beneficiaries. They may also provide insights into the family’s
socioeconomic status, property, and possessions.
**Letters of
Administration: If an individual died without a will, letters of
administration might have been filed, which can also provide family
relationship information.
5. Newspapers
**Obituaries
and Death Notices: Newspapers often published obituaries and death
notices, which can provide information about an individual’s life,
family members, and burial details.
**Marriage
Announcements and Social News: Marriage announcements and social
columns can offer details about family events, connections, and
community standing.
6. Tax and
Assessment Records
**Tax Rolls and
Assessment Records: These records provide information about
property ownership, economic status, and residency over time. They
can help establish when a family arrived in an area or when they
might have moved away.
7. Cemetery
Records and Monument Inscriptions
**Transcriptions of Tombstones: Gravestone inscriptions often
provide birth and death dates, as well as relationships (such as
"wife of" or "son of"), which can help build
family connections.
**Cemetery
Registers: Some cemeteries kept registers of burials, which might
include more details than what is inscribed on a gravestone.
8. Local
Histories and Biographies
**County and
Township Histories: Many counties in Ontario have published local
histories that include biographical sketches of early settlers and
prominent families. These histories often contain genealogical
information and family stories.
**Biographical
Collections: Collections of biographies or pioneer stories can
provide context and background, especially when official records are
sparse.
9. Directories
and Gazetteers
**City and
County Directories: These sources list residents, their
occupations, and sometimes their addresses, providing context about
where individuals lived and what they did. They can be especially
useful in filling gaps between censuses.
**Gazetteers:
These provide geographical context and can help understand the
proximity of various families and places, which is essential in
determining family movements and connections.
10. Military
Records
**Militia Rolls
and Service Records: For ancestors who served in the local militia
or other military units, service records, muster rolls, and pension
applications can provide detailed personal information, including
place of origin, age, and family details.
**War of 1812
Records: Many Ontario settlers were involved in the War of 1812.
Service records, land grants for military service, and pension
records can provide valuable genealogical information.
11. Government
and Court Records
**Court
Records: Records of civil and criminal cases can provide personal
details and familial relationships, especially in cases involving
inheritance, property disputes, or guardianships.
**Petitions and
Government Correspondence: Settlers often petitioned the government
for various reasons, such as land grants, relief, or other needs.
These petitions can provide insights into family circumstances and
origins.
12. Genealogical and Historical Societies
**Transcriptions and Databases: Many genealogical societies in
Ontario have created databases, transcriptions, and indexes of local
records, including church registers, cemetery transcriptions, and
other important documents.
**Family Files
and Local Research: Local societies often have collections of
family research, unpublished manuscripts, and oral histories that can
provide clues not found in official records.
13. Census
Substitutes
**Early
Settlement Records: For areas with missing census data, settlement
records, voter lists, and other government documents can act as
substitutes for censuses, providing names and residence information.
14. Archives
and Libraries
**Ontario
Archives and Libraries: The Archives of Ontario, local archives,
and public libraries often hold unique collections of family papers,
diaries, letters, photographs, and other documents that provide
personal insights into family history.
**Microfilm
Collections: Many records have been microfilmed and are available
through local archives, libraries, and the Family History Library,
making them more accessible for research.
By combining these
reliable sources, researchers can build a comprehensive understanding
of their 19th-century Ontario ancestors, overcoming challenges posed
by incomplete or missing records.
This is a typical discussion that I have with ChatGPT. One question can lead to another, and ChatGPT often suggests questions for me to ask.
Some of the above responses are similar to earlier responses, but they are responsive to the actual prompt. In this discussion, the two followup questions and responses don't refer directly to my first prompt - the Sarah Fletcher parents mystery.
It is obvious to me that all of the AI tools, but especially ChatGPT, have been pre-trained by published genealogy books and sometimes websites on how to answer the question. I can see several areas that I can improve my research and analysis process for the specific family and this specific location.
One of the features that I love on Perplexity and CoPilot is that they also offer online links to online information that they base their responses on. I keep those, and check them out.
For almost every question, it takes ChatGPT (and the other tools) just seconds to formulate a response and list them on the website. It takes me longer to read, copy and paste the responses into a document than it does for the AI tool to formulate the response!
What did ChatGPT miss? What should be emphasized more? What other questions should I ask? [ChatGPT permits five prompts per issue, although you can start a new chat and ask related questions.]
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