Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Genealogy News Bytes - Week of 11 to 17 February 2026

Welcome to Genealogy News Bytes, posted on Tuesday afternoon for the past week, where we try to highlight the most important genealogy and family history news  items that came across our desktop since the last issue.    


1)  Genealogy and Family History News Articles:









2)  DNA/IGG-Related News Articles


4)  New or Updated Genealogy Digital Record Collections:









5)  Did you miss the last post in this series?  See Genealogy News Bytes - Week of 4 to 10 February 2026.


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


Copyright (c) 2026, 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.  Note that all comments are moderated, and may not appear immediately.

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

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

David Jackson Carringer’s Life at Age 20 in 1849 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania

 After developing the AI-assisted ABC Biography of #24 David Jackson "D.J." Carringer (1828-1902) of Pennsylvania, Iowa, Colorado and California, I wondered what David Jackson "D.J." Carringer's life was like in 1849 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.   


(AI NotebookLM infographic of David Jackson Carringer's life in 1849)

I asked Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 to write a story about it. Here is the story about David Jackson Carringer's life in 1849:

David Jackson Carringer at Age 20

Sandy Creek Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania - 1849

The year 1849 found twenty-year-old David Jackson Carringer navigating the first full year without his mother. Sarah Feather Carringer had died in April 1848, and her absence had fundamentally altered the Carringer household. The loss cast a long shadow over the family, but life continued, as it must, and Jackson was now stepping fully into manhood, shouldering responsibilities that would have seemed overwhelming just a few years earlier.

Family Life After Loss

The Carringer household in Sandy Creek township was forever changed. At fifty-five, Henry Carringer was suddenly a widower trying to manage a farm and a large family without his wife's steady hand. Jackson's older sister Eliza, now twenty-two, had become the woman of the house by default, managing the domestic sphere—cooking, cleaning, mending, and caring for the younger children—though the burden aged her beyond her years.

At twenty, Jackson found himself truly the man of the family after his father. The younger siblings still needed raising—George at seventeen was a capable farmer but still finding his way, Cornelius at sixteen helped with the heavy field work, fifteen-year-old Mary struggled with the loss most visibly, Sarah at fourteen tried to help Eliza but missed school, twelve-year-old Henry still seemed like a lost boy, ten-year-old Loisa clung to Eliza as a mother substitute, six-year-old Matilda barely remembered their mother, and three-year-old Harvey would grow up with no memory of her at all.

Meals at the Carringer table were different and quieter now, the joy dimmed. The chair where Sarah had sat remained empty—no one could bring themselves to fill it. Jackson often found himself settling disputes, comforting younger siblings who woke crying for their mother, and trying to be strong when he himself felt the loss acutely. The grief came in waves, and Jackson learned to carry his own sorrow privately, to be strong for the others.

Work and Growing Independence

By 1849, Jackson was an established carpenter, no longer an apprentice but a skilled tradesman. The 1850 census would list him as a carpenter, confirming he'd completed his training and was working independently. His hands, now calloused and strong, moved with confidence over wood—planing, cutting, joining. He could build anything from a simple chair to a complex staircase, and his reputation for quality work was growing in Mercer County.

With his mother gone, Jackson's earnings became even more critical to the family's survival. Much of what he made still went to his father to help feed and clothe the younger children, but he was beginning to save a small portion for himself—toward the day when he could establish his own household. The work gave him purpose during this difficult time, a place where he could focus his mind and see tangible results. When grief threatened to overwhelm him, he could lose himself in the rhythm of work—the rasp of the plane, the bite of the saw, the satisfying thunk of a mallet driving a chisel.

Entertainment and Social Life

Sunday church services remained the central social event, but now Jackson went partly to support his father and help manage the younger children. After church, when young people gathered, Jackson was more observer than participant, his mother's death having aged him in ways his peers couldn't understand.

Barn dances still happened, and Jackson attended occasionally, more out of duty than enthusiasm. He was a better dancer now at twenty, his long legs finally coordinated, but the joy had gone out of it. Young women smiled at him—he was tall, capable, established in a trade—but he wasn't ready for serious courtship. He had too many family responsibilities, and his heart was still raw with grief.

Corn huskings, apple bees, and barn-raisings continued to mark the seasons. Jackson participated because they were expected and necessary, but also because they reminded him of better times. In the evenings at home, the family still gathered, but it was different now. They sang less often, and when they did, hymns about heaven and reunion brought tears along with comfort.

Fun and Recreation

Hunting remained Jackson's preferred solitude—the woods were quiet places where he could think without interruption, remember his mother without needing to be strong for others. The deer and turkey he brought home helped feed the family, giving practical purpose to his emotional retreat.

Fishing, especially with his younger brothers, became more important. Henry at twelve and Harvey at three needed male attention and guidance that their grieving father sometimes couldn't provide. Jackson would take them to the creek, teaching them patience and technique, but really teaching them that life continued, that there were still simple pleasures to be had.

Ice skating in winter still offered brief moments of freedom and joy. He still carved in his spare time—toys for Matilda and Harvey were both gifts and grief work, keeping his hands busy, creating something good, trying to fill even a small part of the void their mother had left.

Courtship Considerations

At twenty, Jackson was of an age when many young men were courting seriously. Several families had daughters who showed interest—a skilled carpenter with good character was an excellent prospect. But Jackson wasn't ready. How could he think of courting when his family needed him so desperately?

Still, he noticed certain young women at church. One in particular—Rebecca Spangler, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Spangler—caught his eye with her quiet competence and kind smile. She was a few years younger, but there was something steady about her, something that reminded him of his mother's strength. They'd exchanged brief words after services, nothing that could be called courting, but he found himself thinking about her more than he probably should. He wasn't ready yet—but someday, perhaps, when his family was more settled, when he'd saved enough money... someday he might ask her father for permission to call on her.

Dreams and Uncertainties

In 1849, Jackson's dreams were more modest than they'd been before his mother's death. He dreamed of simpler things—seeing his younger siblings grown and settled, earning enough to ease his father's burdens, perhaps one day having a family of his own in a home he'd built with his own hands.

His father talked more often about the West, about opportunities in Ohio, Indiana, or even the Iowa Territory. Land was cheaper there, the soil was rich, and a family could make a fresh start. Jackson listened with mixed feelings. Part of him wanted the adventure, the chance to escape places that reminded him of his mother. But another part was rooted to Pennsylvania, to his mother's grave in Kelso Farm Cemetery just up the road with his grandfather Martin Carringer, to the familiar woods and fields.

The California Gold Rush was the talk of everyone that year, but Jackson had no interest in that kind of gamble. His mother had taught him the value of steady work, honest dealings, and family loyalty. What he dreamed about was stability—building a life where children wouldn't grow up with such loss, where hard work led to security rather than just survival.

The Weight of Being Eldest Son

At age twenty in 1849, Jackson carried responsibilities that shaped every decision. He was his father's right hand, Eliza's support, the older brother to eight siblings who needed him. Some days the weight felt crushing—he was only twenty, barely more than a boy himself, and yet he was expected to be wise, strong, reliable, and selfless.

But there was also pride in it. When he saw his father's grateful look, when little Harvey climbed into his lap seeking comfort, Jackson knew he was doing what his mother would have wanted. He was honoring her memory with daily faithfulness, with showing up and doing what needed to be done even when it was hard.

The family Bible sat on the mantel, Sarah's death now recorded on the "Deaths" page. In just two years, Jackson would add his own entry to the "Marriages" page when he wed Rebecca Spangler in 1851. But in 1849, that future was still unclear.

What was clear was that Jackson Carringer had been forever changed. The carefree boy was gone, replaced by a young man who understood loss, responsibility, and perseverance. His mother's death had aged him, sobered him, but also strengthened him in ways he wouldn't fully understand for years to come. At age twenty, David Jackson Carringer was learning to be the man his mother had raised him to be, even though she wasn't there to see it.

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

3)  The Google NotebookLM Video Overview of this story is below. 

4) I have no easy way to double-check these responses from Claude. I don't have many book resources for these subjects and this locality, but there are published books available for this time period and general location. David Jacksaon Carringer is my 2nd great-grandfather and I have significant information about his life from the available records, but know nothing about his daily life, especially as a young person.

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 Carringer family in Pennsylvania in 1849 and witness their daily lives.  I'm glad that the general lifestyles and occupations are known from historical records and eyewitness 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) 2026, 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.  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.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Using Steve Little's Genealogy Narrative Assistant V3 to Develop a GPS Compliant Narrative Sketch

 As a member of the GeneaBloggers group, I attended Steve Little's webinar on Sunday hosted by GeneaBloggers about using Artificial Intelligence to improve genealogical writing.  Steve's 21 page syllabus (with additional text documents linked) was provided on Monday afternoon.  The webinar video is on the GeneaBloggers YouTube channel. 

Here is page 1 of the syllabus which explains this process:

I reviewed the syllabus, and the first prompt for the "Genealogy Narrative Assistant C3" (GNA), and decided to try it out.  I copied the prompt for the GNA and input it to Anthropic Claude (NOTE: I have only the free account, but Claude provides limited access to the "Thinking" capability (I assume Claude Opus 4.6), so I don't know how much I can do throughout this process.]  

The GNA top prompt is:

"You are a genealogy writing assistant that helps users produce **reader-friendly, GPS-compliant genealogical narratives**. You turn raw records into biographical sketches, strengthen existing drafts, and help writers refine individual passages — all while enforcing the Genealogical Proof Standard.

"Never invent facts or citations. Never fabricate sources or repositories. When evidence is insufficient, say so plainly."

I had a choice to attach a number of records or a previously written sketch or notes.  I chose the latter, a genealogical sketch I have for my 3rd great-grandmother Elizabeth Horton Dill (1791-1869) (the sketch used the Notes and Sources from my blog post 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 28: #35, Elizabeth Horton (Dill) Smith (1791-1869).  

Initially, the GNA reviewed my sketch and identified identification assertions for Birth, Death, Burial, and Parentage, noted discrepancies in each assertion within my attached sketch, and applied its' analysis to the discrepancies.  Then the GNA gave me choices to agree or disagree with their analysis and to state which assertion I desired to use for the narrative.

Once I selected the preferred assertions (I agreed with all of the suggestions based on the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) criteria), the Genealogy Narrative Assistant provided a relatively short biographical narrative with source citations (the citations were my own from my genealogical sketch in 2014 - they may change in the final product later!).   

How did the Genealogy Narrative Assistant do with "reader-friendly, GPS-compliant genealogical narrative?"  Here is the unedited product through this first pass (as best I can render with the Blogger editor).

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


ELIZABETH HORTON (DILL) SMITH (1791–1869)

Genealogical Sketch — Revised

Elizabeth Horton Dill was born 9 May 1791 in Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, to Thomas Dill and Hannah (Horton) Dill.[1] She was the seventh of nine children in a family that included Ezekiel Dill (1784–1872), Obediah Dill (1786–????), Seth Dill (1787–????), Isaiah Dill (1788–????), Jabez H. Dill (1789–1872), James Horton Dill (1792–1862), Daniel Dill (1793–1850), and Asa Dill (1795–????).[2] Her mother, Hannah (Horton) Dill, died in 1797.[3] Her father, Thomas Dill, married twice more before his death about 1839.[4]

Early Life and Teaching Career

Elizabeth became a schoolteacher and by 1821 had received a call to teach in Dedham, Massachusetts.[5] On 22 March 1822, she was baptized as an adult at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Dedham.[6] The baptismal record lists three women baptized that day: Mary Godfrey Fisher, adult. Elizabeth Horton Dill, adult. Mary Fales Mason, adult. One day later, on 23 March 1822, Elizabeth Horton Dill was confirmed as a member of St. Paul's Church by the Right Reverend Alexander Viets Griswold.[7] Also confirmed that day was Lucretia Townsend, whose given name Elizabeth would later bestow on her daughter.

The baptism and confirmation records are the only sources that give Elizabeth's full middle name as Horton—her mother's maiden surname, which she adopted as her middle name. Later records abbreviate this to the initial H. or omit the middle name entirely.

Marriage and Family

The marriage intentions for Elizabeth Dill and Alpheus B. Smith were published in both Dedham and Medfield on 5 November 1826.[8] The couple married on 30 November 1826.[9] Alpheus B. Smith, a resident of Medfield, purchased property on High Street near the South School-house in 1826, the same year as his marriage.[10]

Elizabeth and Alpheus had two children:

  • Lucretia Townsend Smith, baptized 6 September 1828 at St. Paul's Church, Medfield.[11] She married Isaac Seaver on 9 September 1851 in Walpole, Massachusetts, and died 24 March 1884 in Leominster, Massachusetts.[12]
  • James Alpheus Smith, baptized 6 June 1833 at St. Paul's Church, Medfield.[13] He married Annie Eliza Stewart in 1864 in Boston, Massachusetts, and died 5 April 1902 in Detroit, Michigan.[14]
Widowhood and Property Management

Alpheus B. Smith died intestate in February 1840.[15] Elizabeth declined to administer the estate, and administration was granted to Hinsdale Fisher.[16] During the probate process, Elizabeth's brother James H. Dill, Esquire, of Eastham purchased the widow's dower third of the real estate.[17] Whether this represented a true sale or a purchase made on Elizabeth's behalf to secure her interest is not stated in the probate records.

In the 1840 U.S. census, Elizabeth H. Smith headed a household in Medfield that included one male aged 5–10, one female aged 10–15, and one female aged 40–50.[18] The ages correspond closely to son James (then about 7), daughter Lucretia (then about 12), and Elizabeth herself (then 49), strongly supporting their identification as the household members, though census enumeration alone cannot definitively prove identity.

On 18 August 1841, Elizabeth H. Smith sold land in Medfield to Lucy Butterfield for $100.[19] The deed describes the property as all of her right, title, and interest to Dower in her late husband's estate as set off by Order of the Court of Probate, consisting of a house and barn with approximately three-quarters of an acre, bounded northerly and easterly by land of the heirs of Elisha Clark, southwardly by land sold to Lucy Butterfield, and westwardly by the road from Medfield to Walpole.

Later Years

In the 1850 U.S. census, Elizabeth H. Smith (age 52, born Massachusetts) resided in Medfield with her daughter Lucretia T. Smith (age 22, born Massachusetts).[20] By the 1855 Massachusetts state census, Elizabeth's household included Lucy Butterfield (age 65), suggesting a boarding or shared living arrangement.[21]

The 1860 U.S. census shows Elizabeth H. Smith, age 60, widowed, heading a household that also included Daniel D. Hammet (age 40, with $2,000 in real property and $400 in personal property), Cynthia Hammet (age 45), and George D. Hammet (age 18).[22] The relationship between Elizabeth and the Hammet family is not stated in the census. The presence of substantial real and personal property values for Daniel Hammet suggests a boarding or tenant arrangement rather than a dependency relationship.

Death

Elizabeth H. Smith died 28 November 1869 in Leominster, Massachusetts, of apoplexy.[23] She was buried at Vine Lake Cemetery in Medfield.[24] Her gravestone reads:

Erected in Memory of ELIZABETH H. DILL Wife of ALPHEUS B. SMITH, Died Nov. 17, 1869. Aged 77 years.

No probate record has been found for Elizabeth or Eliza Smith in Worcester County or Norfolk County, Massachusetts, following her death in 1869.[25]

CONFLICTS & RESOLUTION

The sources for Elizabeth's life contain several inconsistencies that require resolution:

Birth date: The Eastham town birth records give 9 May 1791.[1] However, the age at death reported in the Medfield death record (75 years, 6 months, 9 days from 28 November 1869) calculates backward to a birth date of 19 May 1794.[23] The contemporary birth record, created at or near the time of the event by the town clerk, is far more reliable than an age calculation from information given by an unknown informant 78 years later. Ages at death are frequently misreported. Resolution: Birth date accepted as 9 May 1791.

Mother's name: The Eastham town records list Elizabeth as a child of Thomas and Hannah (Horton) Dill.[2] Both 1869 death records (Medfield and Leominster) give her mother's name as Mary Horton.[23][26] The contemporary birth records naming multiple children of Thomas and Hannah are more reliable than secondary information provided 72 years after Hannah's death in 1797. The similarity of the death record information suggests a single informant who either misremembered or confused Hannah with another family member. Resolution: Mother accepted as Hannah (Horton) Dill.

Father's name: The Eastham town records and family context identify Thomas Dill as Elizabeth's father.[2] The Leominster death record, however, names Jabez Dill of Eastham as her father.[26] Jabez H. Dill (1789–1872) was Elizabeth's younger brother. The Medfield death record correctly identifies Thomas Dill as her father.[23] This appears to be informant confusion between Elizabeth's father and her brother. Resolution: Father accepted as Thomas Dill.

Death date: The gravestone at Vine Lake Cemetery gives the death date as 17 November 1869.[24] Three independent official records—the Medfield town death record,[23] the Leominster town death record,[26] and the 1870 U.S. Mortality Schedule[27]—all agree on 28 November 1869. Gravestone carving errors are common, particularly with numerals. The concordance of three separate official registrations outweighs the memorial inscription. Resolution: Death date accepted as 28 November 1869.

Age at death: The death records report Elizabeth's age as 75 years, 6 months, 9–13 days;[23][26] the gravestone says Aged 77 years.[24] Neither age matches the calculation from the accepted birth date (9 May 1791) and death date (28 November 1869), which yields 78 years, 6 months, 19 days. Age misreporting in death records and on gravestones is extremely common. Resolution: The specific dated events (birth and death) are accepted; reported ages are noted as approximations.

GPS PROOF SUMMARY

Research Question: What is the identity and life course of Elizabeth (Dill) Smith (1791–1869) of Eastham and Medfield, Massachusetts?

Search Scope: Vital records and published town histories for Eastham, Dedham, Medfield, and Leominster, Massachusetts; church records for St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Dedham; federal census enumerations 1840–1870; mortality schedules 1870; probate records for Norfolk County; cemetery records for Medfield; land records for Norfolk County.

Sources Examined: Twenty-seven sources comprising original vital records, derivative published abstracts, census enumerations, church registers, probate files, land deeds, compiled local histories, and cemetery inscriptions.

Key Conflicts Identified:

1. Birth date discrepancy (contemporary record vs. calculated age at death)

2. Death date discrepancy (gravestone vs. three official records)

3. Mother's first name (Hannah vs. Mary)

4. Father's name (Thomas vs. Jabez)

5. Age-at-death inconsistencies across multiple sources

Resolution Methodology: Contemporary records created near the time of events were weighted more heavily than information reported decades later. Multiple independent sources in agreement outweighed single conflicting sources. Informant errors and memorial carving errors were identified as likely explanations for discrepancies. Each conflict was resolved using standard genealogical evidence evaluation principles.

Conclusion: The identity of Elizabeth Horton Dill, daughter of Thomas Dill and Hannah (Horton) Dill, born 9 May 1791 in Eastham, Massachusetts, who married Alpheus B. Smith in Dedham on 30 November 1826, resided as a widow in Medfield from 1840 to at least 1860, and died 28 November 1869 in Leominster, Massachusetts, is proved by the convergence of vital records, census enumerations, church records, probate files, and land records across multiple jurisdictions spanning 78 years. The resolution of conflicts strengthens rather than undermines the conclusion, as the pattern of errors is consistent with typical informant and transcription issues rather than indicating a different person.

SOURCES

[1]  "Town Records, 1654–1873 [Eastham, Massachusetts]," births, Elizabeth Dill (9 May 1791); Family History Library (Salt Lake City, Utah), US/CAN Microfilm 907350, Items 2–6.

[2]  "Town Records, 1654–1873 [Eastham, Massachusetts]," births, children of Thomas and Hannah (Horton) Dill; Family History Library (Salt Lake City, Utah), US/CAN Microfilm 907350, Items 2–6.

[3]  "Town Records, 1654–1873 [Eastham, Massachusetts]," deaths, Hannah Dill (1797); Family History Library (Salt Lake City, Utah), US/CAN Microfilm 907350, Items 2–6.

[4]  Thomas Dill death date derived from probate proceedings and family histories; specific citation needed for death record or probate file.

[5]  Context for teaching career inferred from residence in Dedham by 1822; specific documentation of teaching position not cited.

[6]  Don Gleason Hill, ed., The Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths in the Town of Dedham, 1635–1845 (Dedham, Mass.: Town of Dedham, 1886), 218, baptism of Elizabeth Dill, adult, 22 March 1822.

[7]  Don Gleason Hill, ed., The Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths in the Town of Dedham, 1635–1845 (Dedham, Mass.: Town of Dedham, 1886), 224, confirmation of Elizabeth Horton Dill, 23 March 1822.

[8]  Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620–1988, digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed [date]), Dedham Births, Marriages and Deaths, image 255, intention of marriage, Alpheus B. Smith of Medfield and Elizabeth Dill of Dedham, 5 November 1826; Vital Records of Medfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850 (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1903), Marriages, 135, intention of marriage, Alpheus B. Smith and Elizabeth Dill, 5 November 1826.

[9]  Massachusetts, Town Records, 1620–1988, digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed [date]), Dedham Births, Marriages and Deaths, image 260, marriage of Alpheus B. Smith of Medfield and Elizabeth Dill of Dedham, 30 November 1826; Don Gleason Hill, ed., The Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths in the Town of Dedham, 1635–1845 (Dedham, Mass.: Town of Dedham, 1886), Marriages, 221, marriage of Alpheus B. Smith and Elizabeth Dill, 30 November 1826.

[10] William S. Tilden, History of the Town of Medfield, Massachusetts, 1650–1886 (Boston: George H. Ellis, 1887), [page number], Alpheus B. Smith biographical note.

[11]  St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Medfield, Mass.), baptismal records, Lucretia Townsend Smith, 6 September 1828; citation details needed.

[12]  Vital records and cemetery records for Lucretia Townsend (Smith) Seaver; specific citations needed.

[13]  St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Medfield, Mass.), baptismal records, James Alpheus Smith, 6 June 1833; citation details needed.

[14]  Vital records for James Alpheus Smith; specific citations needed.

[15]  Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Probate Records, estate of Alpheus B. Smith (died February 1840); docket and file number needed.

[16]  Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Probate Records, estate of Alpheus B. Smith, administration granted to Hinsdale Fisher; specific citation needed.

[17]  Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Probate Records, estate of Alpheus B. Smith, sale of widow's dower to James H. Dill; specific citation needed.

[18]  1840 U.S. Census, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Medfield, p. 196, Eliza [H.] Smith household; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed [date]); citing NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 192.

[19]  Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Register of Deeds, Deeds, vol. 139:109, Elizabeth H. Smith to Lucy Butterfield, 18 August 1841; Family History Library, US/CAN Microfilm 841833.

[20]  1850 U.S. Census, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Medfield, p. 348A, dwelling 488, family 632, Eliza [H.] Smith household; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed [date]); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 331.

[21]  Massachusetts State Census, 1855, Norfolk County, Medfield, p. 21 (penned), dwelling 2, family 2, Eliza Smith household; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed [date]).

[22]  1860 U.S. Census, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Medfield, p. 851, dwelling 780, family 841, Eliza [H.] Smith household; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed [date]); citing NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 515.

[23]  Massachusetts, Town Vital Records, Medfield, Deaths, 1869, vol. 221:262, Eliza H. Smith entry (died 28 November 1869, age 75 years, 6 months, 9 days, of apoplexy, birthplace Eastham, parents Thomas Dill of Eastham and Mary Horton of Wellfleet); digital images, American Ancestors, New England Historic Genealogical Society (http://www.AmericanAncestors.org : accessed [date]).

[24]  Vine Lake Cemetery (Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts), gravestone inscription for Elizabeth H. Dill, wife of Alpheus B. Smith (died 17 Nov. 1869, aged 77 years); indexed database, Find A Grave (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed [date]), memorial [number].

[25]  Probate records search: Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Probate Court, estate files and docket books, 1869–1875, searched for Eliza Smith, Elizabeth Smith, and Elizabeth Dill Smith; no probate file found. Worcester County, Massachusetts, Probate Court, estate files and docket books, 1869–1875, searched for Eliza Smith, Elizabeth Smith, and Elizabeth Dill Smith; no probate file found.

[26]  Massachusetts, Town Vital Records, Leominster, Deaths, 1869, vol. 222:264, Eliza H. Smith entry (died 28 November 1869, age 75 years, 6 months, 13 days, of apoplexy, birthplace Eastham, parents Jabez Dill of Eastham and Mary Horton of Wellfleet); digital images, American Ancestors, New England Historic Genealogical Society (http://www.AmericanAncestors.org : accessed [date]).

[27]  U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850–1885, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, p. 619, line 6, Eliza H. Smith entry (age 75, widow, died November [1869], of apoplexy); online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed [date]); citing NARA microfilm publication T1204, roll 23.

Verification note: This narrative was drafted with AI assistance. All facts, citations, and conclusions should be verified against original sources before publication. AI can misread images, confuse identities, or draw unsupported inferences. You are the researcher—review this critically before sharing.

Revised: 16 February 2026

Genealogy Narrative Assistant v3

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

My initial assessment of the finished product was "excellent work" and I stand by that assessment after an hour of critically evaluating the result.  

I like that the Source List has a placeholder for sources that I did not have in the attached genealogical sketch.

Thank you to Steve Little for developing this Genealogy Narrative Assistant and I look forward to using it often.  

I am painfully aware that I need to revise all of my ancestor biographies to include GPS-compliant statements and improved EE-style source citations. This may take the rest of my life to finish since I have over 500 ancestor genealogical sketches!  Maybe someone else can finish the job?  

I can see adding my finished GPS-compliant sketches to FamilySearch Family Tree profiles as a Memory in PDF format.  Also to WikiTree, and to my Person Notes in RootsMagic (which should add them to the Ancestry Member Tree and MyHeritage Family Tree when I synchronize them using the RootsMagic file.  That's probably another lifetime job.

This is only the first Prompt of the five prompts that Steve recommended for use.  These biographical sketches are not too "engaging" yet - because my sketch did not have any significant record descriptions (like deeds, wills, book paragraphs, etc.)  I will try another ancestor genealogical sketch that has some record descriptions next before I move on to Steve's Prompt #2.  I also need to try an Ancestor Couple genealogical sketch.

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

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) 2026, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2026/02/using-steve-littles-genealogy-narrative.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.

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, February 16, 2026

Randy's Genealogy Pot-Pourri - Week Ending 15 February 2026

 Here are the highlights of my family history and genealogy related activities over the past week (ending Sunday, 15 February 2026). 

1)  Hosted and moderated the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group meeting on Wednesday with 14 in attendance.  We discussed RootsTech 2026, Relatives at RootsTech, Ancestry "Ideas" and Full-Text Search, AutoKinship on Genetic Affairs, Goldie May's new AI features on YouTube, and my AI research and writing work. Our discussion question was about genealogy goals for 2025.

2)  Attended the San Diego Genealogical Society meeting on Saturday, including Doug's AI class, and David Flint's two classes on British Isles Jurisdictions and Names. 

3)  Attended the GeneaBloggers webinar on Sunday with Steve Little discussiing Artificial Intelligence. 

4)  Curated genealogy-related articles to keep myself and my readers updated on the genealogy world in:



7)  Wrote two ABC Biographies and one Life Memoir, and posted them on Genea-Musings and Substack, in:
9)  Wrote an AI-assisted short story about my parents romance on Genea-Musings and Substack:
10)  Wrote an AI-assisted family story of my own memories on Genea-Musings and   Substack: 
11)  Updated my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Added a number of the recent Google NotebookLM Videos and Slide Shows to my YouTube channel at   https://www.youtube.com/@RandySeaver. 

12)  My AncestryDNA test now has 50,779 DNA matches (up 146 from 8 February) with 2,152 "close" matches (20 cM or more) today (up 3), with one new ThruLines.  Added Notes to one Match, and added no new DNA match lines to RootsMagic.    MyHeritageDNA test now has 14,150 DNA matches (up 33 from 8 February) for me. 

13)  Searched for more records of ancestral families on Ancestry, FamilySearch and MyHeritage, downloaded record images to my digital file folders, and added research notes, events and sources to RootsMagic profiles.  My RootsMagic family tree now has 74,914 profiles (up 32 from last week)  and 147,956 source citations (up 6).  

14) Wrote 25 Genea-Musings blog posts last week (Sunday through Saturday), of which three were a press release. The most viewed post last week was Betty and Fred's Story: "Building a Life Together" with over 351 views.  Genea-Musings had about 269,000 page views last week and over 963,000 views over the past month (lots of bots I think). 

15)  Real life events:  Visited Linda several days this past week at her memory care facility.  Went to the grocery store on Monday and Friday. Finished reading Unfinished Business by J.A. Jance and started The Widow by John Grisham.  Watched selected Winter Olympic events, especially curling. The San Diego State Aztecs basketball team was 1-0 last week, so now are 18-6 on the season.
   
                           =============================================

Copyright (c) 2026, 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.  Please note that all comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. 

Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Randy's Memories -- Our Grand Mid-Atlantic States Adventure in 1998


I wrote several Genea-Musings posts about our vacation travels all over the United States and some foreign countries, but they are all in my "Engineer-speak" and "Just-the-facts" writing style. One was Memories - What We Did On Our 1998 Mid-Atlantic States Vacation.


I wondered if my AI-assistant Anthropic Claude could turn it into an engaging story about our 1998 vacation trip to the mid-Atlantic states. Here is Claude's story:

Our Grand Atlantic States Adventure
Summer 1998

In the sweltering summer of 1998, Linda and I embarked on an unforgettable 18-day journey through the Middle Atlantic states, weaving together threads of American history, colonial heritage, and family connections. From the marble monuments of our nation's capital to the cobblestone streets of Williamsburg, from the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg to the immigration gateway at Ellis Island, we traced the footsteps of founding fathers, Civil War soldiers, and the millions who came seeking the American dream.

Washington, D.C.: A Week in the Nation's Capital

We devoted an entire week to exploring Washington, D.C., staying in Springfield, Virginia to keep costs manageable while enjoying the remarkably clean and efficient Metro system. The 45-minute subway ride became our daily ritual, delivering us directly to the heart of the Smithsonian complex on the National Mall.

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum proved both impressive and humbling. Despite housing iconic aircraft and spacecraft from the Wright Brothers' first flights to the Apollo missions, I was surprised to discover it represented only a fraction of aviation and space history. Our guided tour, led by a retired aerospace engineer, brought the exhibits to life with firsthand stories about the pioneers of flight and the early astronauts who pushed humanity beyond Earth's atmosphere. Standing beneath the Spirit of St. Louis and gazing at actual moon rocks made the impossible seem tangible.

The Smithsonian Museum of American History, however, proved disappointing. I expected a comprehensive narrative of our nation's formation—the colonial settlements, the Revolutionary War, the founding principles and forces that drove our country's creation. Instead, the museum seemed to suggest American history simply "happened" without context or causation. There was virtually nothing addressing colonial times, the Revolution, or the leaders and ideas that shaped our nation. It was as if Jamestown, Plymouth, Boston, Roger Williams, Stuyvesant, William Penn, Oglethorpe, Jonathan Edwards, Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and countless others simply didn't exist.

Rather than a cohesive story of American development, the museum offered politically correct exhibits about Native American displacement and slaveholding, even a New Mexican exhibit from the 1500s, but nothing significant about immigration waves, westward migration, or western settlement. The Revolutionary War received only a single mention—a display about a storekeeper in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, whose shop was ransacked because his prices were too high and he was suspected of loyalist sympathies. There were plenty of collections and some interesting exhibits about Thomas Edison and the Manhattan Project, but the overarching sense of events, leaders, attitudes, and historical forces was conspicuously absent. For a museum dedicated to American history, it felt remarkably incomplete. Perhaps it is different these days than it was in 1998.

At the National Archives, we joined the steady stream of visitors shuffling past the nation's founding documents. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution lay protected under green glass, encased in helium to preserve them for future generations. Though the elaborate precautions made the faded ink difficult to read and the guards kept the line moving, there was something profound about standing mere feet from the parchment that declared our independence and established our government.

Our bus tour of the capital's monuments coincided with funeral services for a prominent figure (Officer John Gibson of the Capitol Police, killed in the line of duty), adding unexpected solemnity to our journey. We drove past the Washington Monument's towering obelisk before stopping at the Lincoln Memorial, where we climbed the steps to stand before the seated Great Emancipator. The nearby Vietnam Veterans Memorial's black granite wall, engraved with 58,000 names, and the Korean War Memorial's haunting statues of soldiers on patrol, served as powerful reminders of sacrifice.


Arlington National Cemetery stirred deep emotions as we walked among endless rows of white headstones. We paid our respects at President Kennedy's eternal flame, then witnessed the solemn changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—a precisely choreographed ceremony that exemplifies military honor and national remembrance.

Though no White House tickets were available, I walked the perimeter of the iconic residence and viewed the informational film at the Visitor Center. At the Capitol Building, we waited patiently for entry passes and were rewarded with access to the magnificent Rotunda, where paintings and frescoes chronicle American history on the curved walls and soaring dome. In the marble hallways below, I caught a glimpse of Senator Phil Gramm. The Capitol's grandeur reminded us that the people's business continues daily in these halls.

On a leisurely Sunday drive, we visited the Jefferson Memorial, its domed classical architecture mirroring Jefferson's beloved Monticello, before heading to the majestic National Cathedral. We meandered down Massachusetts Avenue past imposing embassy buildings representing nations from around the globe, circled the Capitol for another perspective, explored Georgetown's historic streets, and finished with lunch in downtown Arlington.

Linda explored the Holocaust Museum, an emotionally overwhelming experience that bears witness to one of history's darkest chapters. She also visited the old Post Office Building pavilion, where the tower offered spectacular photographic vantage points over the city, and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, home to the Hope Diamond and countless natural wonders. Her attempt to tour the FBI building was thwarted by capacity limits.

I dedicated two full days to the Library of Congress, conducting genealogy research in one of the world's greatest repositories of knowledge. It was frustrating to search the card catalog, fill out and submit a request form, wait for the book to be delivered, review the book, request photocopies, etc. In the end, I found very little “new” to my research. Though I was too absorbed in my work to take the building tour, the magnificent reading rooms and endless archival resources made it a researcher's paradise.

Colonial Williamsburg: Stepping Back in Time

Williamsburg transported us to 18th-century Virginia, where costumed interpreters brought colonial life vividly to life. We explored most of the meticulously restored historic area, watching craftspeople demonstrate blacksmithing, silversmithing, and other colonial trades in authentic workshops. The Governor's Palace impressed with its formal gardens and elegant rooms, while humble tradesmen's homes showed how ordinary colonists lived.

Our visit to Carter's Grove, a magnificent plantation house overlooking the James River, proved exceptional. The guides expertly explained plantation life from multiple perspectives, and the ongoing archaeological work at nearby Wolstenholme Towne, one of the earliest English settlements, connected us to Virginia's very beginnings.

The evening in Williamsburg was delightful. We enjoyed a theatrical play and a lively musical review, both performed by talented actors. Dining in one of the town's historic taverns, we savored period recipes and imagined revolutionary-era conversations that might have echoed in those same rooms.

At Jamestown, the site of England's first permanent American settlement, we joined National Park Service ranger-led tours that illuminated the harsh realities faced by those early settlers. The reconstructed fort and ongoing excavations of the original James Fort reminded us that Williamsburg's 18th-century prosperity had roots in the struggle and sacrifice of 17th-century pioneers.


Charlottesville: Jefferson's Mountaintop Vision

Adding Charlottesville to our itinerary at the last minute turned out to be inspired. Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's architectural masterpiece, exceeded all expectations. Our knowledgeable docents explained Jefferson's ingenious innovations—from the Great Clock powered by cannonball weights to the dumbwaiter that brought wine from the cellar. We explored his library, greenhouse, and the grounds where he experimented with hundreds of plant species. The house revealed Jefferson as inventor, architect, scientist, and statesman, while also acknowledging the enslaved workers whose labor made his lifestyle possible.

The Luray Caverns offered a completely different but equally amazing experience. Descending into the earth, we wandered through cathedral-like chambers adorned with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years. The Great Stalacpipe Organ, which makes music by tapping stalactites throughout the cavern, demonstrated that even nature's sculptures could be transformed into instruments.

Pennsylvania: History, Heritage, and Research

Gettysburg's rolling hills and strategic ridges told the story of the war's turning point without words. Our two-hour double-decker bus tour, narrated through headphones, stopped twice for photographs and contemplation. I finally understood the terrain that shaped the battle—Cemetery Ridge where Union forces held the line, the Peach Orchard where fighting raged, Little Round Top's crucial high ground, and the open fields across which Pickett's Charge advanced to its doom. The landscape itself became a teacher of military strategy and human sacrifice.

In York, Pennsylvania, I spent two productive hours at the York County Historical Society, diving into archival records and tracing family connections on my King line. That night, our Motel 6 fire alarm provided unexpected middle-of-the-night excitement—fortunately, just a false alarm that sent weary travelers back to bed with a yawn.

Lancaster and the Pennsylvania Dutch country offered a window into a different kind of American heritage. Though heavily commercialized, the area's Amish farms, craft shops, and markets preserved traditions from centuries past. Our horse-and-buggy ride clip-clopped along rural roads past neat farms and one-room schoolhouses, while multiple shop visits revealed the community's skilled craftsmanship. The food lived up to its reputation—hearty, homemade, and absolutely delicious.

Philadelphia: Cradle of Liberty

Arriving in Philadelphia around noon, we headed straight to the Visitor Center and enjoyed an authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwich before exploring the sites where American independence was born. At Independence Hall, we stood in the very room where the Declaration of Independence was debated and signed, and where the Constitution was drafted. Unfortunately, our guide struggled with some basic historical facts, diminishing what should have been a powerful experience.

The Liberty Bell, with its famous crack, symbolizes both freedom's promise and its imperfections. We examined the bell up close, reading inscriptions that include the biblical passage about proclaiming liberty throughout the land.

Franklin Court proved to be the day's highlight—a superb tribute to Benjamin Franklin's extraordinary life. The excellent exhibits showcased Franklin's accomplishments as printer, inventor, scientist, diplomat, and founding father. An engaging film chronicled his journey from printer's apprentice to elder statesman, revealing the wit and wisdom that made him beloved in both Philadelphia and Paris. Underground galleries displayed archaeological findings from Franklin's home site, connecting visitors to the man's daily life.

New Jersey: Family and the Gateway to America

We spent two wonderful nights with my cousin Jack and his wife Joan at their beautiful farmhouse on six acres in Little York, New Jersey. Their property, complete with a babbling stream and visits from a nearby deer herd, provided peaceful respite after weeks of intensive sightseeing.


Jack and Joan graciously took us to Ellis Island, the iconic gateway through which more than 12 million immigrants entered America between 1892 and 1954. The ferry ride from New Jersey offered spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, her torch held high in welcome, and the magnificent Manhattan skyline—my first glimpse of New York City's famous silhouette.

The Ellis Island Immigration Museum exceeded my expectations, powerfully conveying the immigrant experience. We walked through the vast Registry Room where inspectors processed thousands daily, examined actual passenger manifests, and read personal accounts of those who passed through these halls carrying little more than hope and determination. Photographs of bewildered new arrivals, their worldly possessions in worn trunks and bundles, made the statistics human. The personal stories—some triumphant, others heartbreaking—reminded us that America's strength lies in these millions who risked everything for a new beginning.

Journey's End and Lasting Impressions

After 18 remarkable days tracing American history from Jamestown to Ellis Island, we returned to Baltimore's airport and flew home to San Diego. Linda collected brochures and materials throughout the trip, planning lessons for her fourth-grade students—what better way to teach American history than through firsthand experience?

Throughout our journey, I tried keeping up with news and my beloved Padres. The Washington papers and airwaves obsessed over the Lewinsky scandal, while the hinterlands paid it little attention. Hotel television was hit-or-miss—some lacked my favorite cable channels entirely. When our rental car's antenna broke off the first day, we spent the rest of the trip cruising with windows down, letting warm humid breezes and the sounds of the countryside provide our soundtrack.

The heat and humidity followed us everywhere—typical East Coast summer weather that left us perpetually warm but never dampened our enthusiasm. What we remember most vividly, beyond the monuments and museums, was the kindness of strangers. People everywhere proved friendly and helpful, from museum docents to fellow travelers. Conversations struck up in line or over meals enriched our understanding of the places we visited and reminded us that exploring history is best done in the company of others who share the journey.

From the founding documents in the National Archives to immigrant dreams at Ellis Island, from Revolutionary War battlefields to colonial craftsmen's workshops, our 1998 summer vacation wove together the diverse threads of American history. We returned home enriched, exhausted, and grateful for the opportunity to walk through our nation's past while creating memories that would last a lifetime.

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

Can Google NotebookLM turn this into an Infographic and Video Overview?  Of course!!  The Infographic is at the top of this post, and the video is here: 

Claude followed my blog post very well, and also added some interpretation and description to the narrative.  

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

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) 2026, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2026/02/randys-memories-our-grand-mid-atlantic.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.

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

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)