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).
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.
Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver
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