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.
