All posts by Julia, Librarian

AI SIG

November AI SIG Notes

AI Literacy

  • AI Literacy
    • Leo Lo defines AI Literacy as “the ability to understand, use, and think critically about AI technologies and their impact on society, ethics, and everyday life. Its components include technical knowledge, ethical awareness, critical thinking, and practical skills.”
    • McGill University has ROBOT model:
      • Reliability
      • Objective
      • Bias
      • Ownership
      • Type
    • Information literacy has the CRAAP test:
      • Currency
      • Relevance
      • Authority
      • Accuracy
      • Purpose
  • Coalition for Responsible AI in Genealogy (CRAIGEN)
    • New statement on “Protecting Trust in Historical Images”
    • Guidelines
      • Always label
      • Always cite
      • Use as illustration, not evidence

Wheatley, A & Hervieux, S. (2020). The AI family tree [diagram]. The LibrAIry. https://thelibrairy.wordpress.com/2020/05/12/the-ai-family-tree/

Library

New Books October 2025

Call NumberTitleInfoAuthorDate
R-210 SG 354Rainbows: 50 Years of Empowering Children and Families LeVan, Karen Sheriff2022
R-210 SG 353Student Centered, Innovation Driven: A Guide to Transforming Higher Eduction Muma, Richard D.2025
R-210 MP 10 1924The Quadrangle1924  
R-210 188Las Madres: Latinas in the Heartland Who Led Their Family to Success Garcia, Dennis Raphael2024
R-190 063Early Marriages in Indiana: Harrison County 1809-1817 Lindsay, Kenneth Gene1977
I-300 036Southern Ladies’ Civil War & Antebellum Fashions 1855-1865 Mitchell, Sarah E.2005
G-M 137McCormick Genealogy with Related Families 1991 Back to 1744 Perkins, B. Dottie McCormick1991
G-H 178Descendants of Gillum Hopper (1776-1848) of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky Deveny, Helen Curry1990
AI SIG

October AI SIG Notes

3 Cool Tools

  • RootsMagic 11
    • New version has first ‘draft’ of AI features for stand along genealogy software
    • AI Prompt Builder – uses data in your RootsMagic tree to write a custom AI prompt to copy to ChapGPT, etc.
    • Note – it doesn’t request research
  • FamilySearch Full Text Search
    • Has moved out of labs
    • Find in Search menu in main website
    • New features:
      • AI-generated summaries of records, including names and relationships.
      • Search fields for year, place, and image group number (DGS).
      • Almost 2 billion records from various countries and languages.
      • Ability to search by specific collections, which are grouped using digitization metadata.
      • Automatic translation of record summaries into your preferred language.
  • Perplexity Comet
    • LLM built into the Chrome web browser.  The future of AI?  
    • Can remember and compare things across multiple tabs – not just things entered in the chat interface
    • Can, if you let it, access your google email and calendar.
    • Can automate tasks
    • Can ‘use’ your browser – open tabs, click items, fill out forms
  • Resources
    • The Family History AI Show, by Mark Thompson & Steve Little
    • Genealogy and Artificial Intelligence Facebook Group
    • Legacy Family Tree Webinars
Library

New Books September 2025

Call Number Title Info Author Date
G-W 139 Descendants of Captain John Woodman: the Man from Oyster River Woodman, Eloise 1997
G-W 140 When I Was Young: An Account by Joseph Earl ‘Joe’ Walton of Life on a Farm in Sumner County, Kansas 1904-1933 Camp, Shirley Walton 2017
G-W 141 The Tree of Life: Genealogy of Wright, Faidley, Rembold, Vanneman, Coberley and Barlow Families Wright, Mary Jane Dodd 2001
R-210 BU 36 Oil Hill: the Town that Cities Service Built Klintworth, Lawrence P. 1977
R-210 CL 02 1995 Polk Arkansas City, Kansas Directory 1995
R-210 SG 165 1957 Wichita Telephone Directory 1957 Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
R-210 SG 165 1959 Wichita Telephone Directory 1959 Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
R-210 SG 350 Cookies and Cancer — What a Party! The Story of Victory in the Valley, Inc. Thomi, Diana K. 2025
R-210 SG 351 Buried Wichita, Kansas: A Midwestern Death Trip Hearne, Autumn L. 2024
R-210 SG 352 LGBTQ Wichita The Center of Wichita 2025
R-220 005 E8 Kentucky: A History of the State Perrin, W H 1979
R-220 094 V1, 3, 4 Kentucky Genealogy and Biography Westerfield, Thomas W. 1971
R-220 242 Deed Abstracts of Warren County, Kentucky 1797 – 1812 Murray, Joyce Martin 1985
R-220 243 Early Marriage Records of Casey County, Kentucky: 1807-1915 Rice, Phillip A. 1977
R-220 244 Abstract of Land Grant Surveys 1761-1791 Kaylor, Peter Cline 1984
R-220 248 Index Southern Kentucky Genealogy Society Ancestor Charts Index
R-220 248 V1 Southern Kentucky Genealogy Society Ancestor Charts V 1 (1980)
R-230 014 River Road Recipes 1959
online-link in catalog The needle’s eye : women and work in the age of revolution Miller, Marla R. 2006
AI SIG

September AI SIG Notes

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.
Library

August 2025 New Books

Call NumberTitleInfoAuthorDate
G-B 186A Survivor’s Story: An American POW in Japan During World War II Binns, Don2004
G-C 149Taking Command: General J Lawton Collins From Guadalcanal to Utah Beach and Victory in Europe Jeffers, H. Paul2009
G-F 051American Soldier Franks, General Tommy2004
G-L 056Lincoln’s War: The Untold Story of America’s Greatest President as Commander in Chief Perret, Geoffrey2004
G-N 028 V 1Just A Nutter Book: Nutter’s of Nutter Fort, The Next Generation Eastom, Tim 
G-N 028 V 2Just A Nutter Book: Nutter’s of Nutter Fort, The Next Generation Eastom, Tim 
G-S 171A Living Gravestone Guldner, Dorothy Elisabeth Wilson1973
G-S 172The Paul Sieg Family in North America 1720-1986 Burt, Modell Sieg1986
G-T 058Descendants of Thomas Shepherd Bedient, Agnes 
R-210 187Kansas: A Land of Contrasts Richmond, Robert W1974
R-210 190Kansas: The Priceless Prairie Einsel, Mary1976
R-210 191 2024Newton and McPherson Progress2024Newton Kansan 
R-210 SG 006 1946Parnassus1946University of Wichita 
R-210 SG 3461974-2024  Ulrich Museum of Art at 50: Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future Mott, Teri2024
R-210 SG 347The Seamy Side: Vice in Wichita and It’s Satellite, West Wichita, From 1870-1877 Harris, Charles F.1969
R-210 SG 348A History of Derby (1870 – 1934) Crowell, Kay1971
R-210 SG 349Derby Past and Present Blue, Lyle Raymond1971
R-210 WB 06Maple Hill Stories Turnbull, Roderick1961
R-210 WY 06 1984Turner High School Class of ’62 Reunion Booklet1984 1962
R-600 126The American Frontier: Pioneers, Settlers & Cowboys 1800-1899 Davis, William C.1992
R-600 127True Tales of the Prairies and Plains Dary, David2007
R-600 128The Great West Neider, Charles1958
R-630 075Cheyenne Memories Stands in Timber, John1967
R-660 018Battle at Sea: 3,000 Years of Naval Warfare Grant, R. G.2008
R-660 019A Preliminary List of U.S. Air Force Aces 1817-1953 USAF Historical Division, Research Studies Institute1962
R-665 069Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage Trudeau, Noah Andre2002
R-665 070Some Reminiscences of Persons and Incidents of the Civil War Ratchford, J. W. 1971
R-665 072The Life of Johnny Reb and The Life of Billy Yank Wiley, Bell I.1994
R-665 073Civil War Soldiers: Their Expectations and Their Experiences Mitchell, Reid1988
R-665 074Quantrill at Lawrence: The Untold Story Peterson, Paul R.2011
R-665 075Conquering the Valley: Stonewall Jackson at Port Republic Krick, Robert K.1996
R-665 076Deeds of Valor: How America’s Civil War Heroes Won the Congressional Medal of Honor Beyer, W. F.2000
R-665 077Chronicles of the Civil War: An Illustrated History of the War Between the States  1999
R-665 077Shiloh — In Hell Before Night McDonough, James Lee1977
R-665 078Not War But Murder: Cold Harbor 1864 Furgurson, Ernest B.2000
R-669 029No End Save Victory: Perspectives on World War II Cowley, Robert2001
R-669 030December 1941: 31 Days That Changed America and Saved the World Shirley, Craig2011
R-669 031‘We Pulled Together…and Won!’ Personal Memories of the World War II Years… Mulvey, Deb1993
R-669 076Absolute Victory: America’s Greatest Generation and Their World War II Triumph Editors of TIME2005
R-669 077Endkampf: Soldiers, Civilians, and the Death of the Third Reich Fritz, Stephen G.2004
R-669 078The Longest Day: The Classic Epic of D-Day Ryan, Cornelius1959
R-669 079War in the Pacific: Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay Nalty, Bernard1999
R-669 080The War: An Intimate History 1941-1945 Ward, Geoffrey C.2007
R-669 081Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies Macintyre, Ben2012
R-669 082A Dawn Like Thunder: The True Story of Torpedo Squadron Eight Mrazek, Robert J.2008
R-669 083Warfare and the Third Reich Chant, Christopher2000
R-670 001The Ravens: The Men Who Flew in America’s Secret War in Laos Robbins, Christopher1987
AI SIG

August AI SIG Notes

  • AI-Assisted Writing
  • It’s everywhere!
  • Chatbots, like ChapGPT
  • Embedded in Word 365 and Google docs
  • Not just plain text outputs
    • Different formats – document, presentation slides, tri-fold brochure
    • Downloadable doc, pdf, xls files
  • Clearly OK applications
    • Bread-and-butter letters, like thank you or condolence notes
    • Work templates, like meeting minutes, project trackers, etc built in to Word and Google docs
    • Ancestor profile based on genealogy software output
    • Event schedule from outline
    • First draft from outline
  • Tips
    • Can ask for help getting started
    • Can include guidance in prompt – length, tone, audience, purpose, specific things to include
    • Always read and tweak, either with additional prompts or direct edits
  • Gray areas
    • No-input writing
    • Final draft polishing
    • New ideas
  • Ethical issues, again
    • Accuracy
    • Copyright 
    • Disclosure

Library

July 2025 New Books

Call NumberTitleSeries InfoAuthorDate
G-B 183The Borden Family Burr, Anna T.1981
G-B 184Bordens of New Jersey and Allied Lines Holme — Schumacher/Shoemaker — Weiser/Wiser bowman, Una1993
G-B 185Defend the Valley: A Shenandoah Family in the Civil War Colt, Margaretta Barton1994
G-C 148Mark Clark Blumenson, Martin1984
G-F 049 V1American History As Seen Through The Eyes of the Fedrick Family 1700-1900V 1: 1750-1810 John Fedrick of EdgefieldFredrick, John Spencer Sr2010
G-F 049 V2 B1American History As Seen Through The Eyes of the Fedrick Family 1700-1900V 2 B 1: Family of John S FedrickFredrick, John Spencer Sr2010
G-F 049 V2 B2American History As Seen Through The Eyes of the Fedrick Family 1700-1900V 2 B 2: Family of John S FedrickFredrick, John Spencer Sr2010
G-F 050 2007Fredrick Family Reunion Book2007Fredrick, John Spencer Sr
G-F 050 2008Fredrick Family Reunion Book2008Fredrick, John Spencer Sr
G-G 096Grant Takes Command Catton, Bruce1994
G-H 176Lockhart Marvin Hall Family History, Devotionals and Cookbook   
G-L 055 NTBCOLife of Gen. James H. Lane “The Liberator of Kansas” Speer, John1896
G-N 027Chief Left Hand: Southern Arapaho Coel, Margaret1981
G-P 025The Petty PapersV 01 – 11 (1976 – 1989) 
G-Q 001Quantrill and the Border Wars Connelley, William Elsey1994
G-R 040The Genealogy Book of the Clan DonnachaidhV 1 – 3Thompson, James Wallace1987
G-R 076Riegel / Riggle Family History Riggle, Leslie A.1996
R-065 006 V 41Eswau HuppedayV 41 (2021) 
R-065 006 V 42Eswau HuppedayV 42 (2022) 
R-210 184Kansas Century Farms: Preserving Our Agricultural Heritage of Family Owned Farms Kansas Farm Bureau2018
R-210 185Official Military History of Kansas Regiments During the War for the Suppression of the Great Rebellion Burke, W. S.
R-210 186Prisoners of War in Kansas 1943-1946 May, Lowell A.2007
R-210 BA 07Alumni Directory of Kiowa High School and South Barber High School1999Conrad, Melvin L.
R-210 EL 11 V1At Home In Ellis County, Kansas 1867-1992  History Book Committee1991
R-210 HV 24Harvey County Barns DeGraffenreid, Kelley2010
R-210 SG 154 B12MHGS Historian’s AlbumBook 12: 2012 – 2014Midwest Historical & Genealogical Society
R-210 SG 165 2017The User-Friendly Phone Book: Wichita2017User-Friendly Phone Book
R-210 SG 345Studying to Care: A History of Wesley Medical Research Institutes 1949-1999 Miner, Craig2000
R-210 SN 22 2006Washburn Alumni Directory2006  
R-600 124Legends: Leaders and Innovators Who Made This Industry Great (2008-2011)  2012
R-600 125Burtynsky Oil Burtynsky, Edward2009
R-660 017 1965The Keel: The Story of Recruit Training in the United States Navy at Great Lakes, Illinois1965 Company 230 
R-665 068Rebel Invasion of Missouri and Kansas and the Campaign of the Army of the Border Against General Sterling Price in October and November 1864 Hinton, Richard J.1994
R-667 014Kansas and Kansas in World War I: Service at Home and Abroad Watson, Blake A.2024
R-669 027The Black Angels: A History of the Waffen-SS Butler, Rupert1979
R-669 028But Not In Shame Toland, John1961