Generating Images with AI

• Why Images Matter in Genealogy
  • Genealogy often lacks photographs of earlier generations.
  • AI-generated visuals help illustrate stories where no images exist.
  • Engages younger family members and makes history feel more relatable.
• Why Images Matter in Genealogy
  • Genealogy often lacks photographs of earlier generations.
  • AI-generated visuals help illustrate stories where no images exist.
  • Engages younger family members and makes history feel more relatable.
• Applications
  • Storytelling: Pair AI illustrations with written family histories.
  • Family History Books: Fill in gaps when photos don’t exist.
  • Reunion Displays: Create immersive posters or slideshows.
  • Youth Engagement: Use AI visuals to spark curiosity in younger relatives.
  • Genealogy Society Presentations: Illustrate local history or migration stories.
• AI Image Generators
  • DALL·E (via ChatGPT), MidJourney, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly, Google Gemini, Canva, Leonardo AI
• Prompt Writing Tips
  • Be specific: time period, clothing, setting, mood.
  • Example: “Create an image of a 19th-century Swedish farm family standing outside their wooden home, midsummer celebration.”
  • Try multiple prompts, adjust style, compare results.
  • Consider choosing artistic vs. realistic styles depending on project.
  • Try imageprompt.org

• Ethical and Practical Considerations
  • Historical Accuracy vs. Artistic Imagination
  • AI portraits are representations, not authentic likenesses.
  • Scenes may capture “the feel” of an era, not exact details.
• Transparency
  • Always label images as AI-generated.
  • Use captions like “AI-generated illustration of…”.
• Avoiding Misrepresentation
  • Don’t pass off AI images as real historical evidence.
• Copyright & Usage Rights
  • Most tools allow personal/family history use, but check terms before publishing widely.