WHAT: Hands-on learning with AI tools for genealogy research
WHO: Everyone welcome—members, non-members, beginners to experienced
WHEN: 4th Thursday of each month, 6:00-7:00 PM
WHERE: Meeting Room, West Waco Library and Genealogy Center, 5301 Bosque Blvd.
COST: Free
BRING: Laptop or tablet helpful but not required
FORMAT: Drop-in welcome—stay for part or all of the meeting
CONTACT: Sherri Ahmadzadeh at sherrisplace (at) gmail (dot) com

2026 MEETING DATES

January 22 • February 26 • March 26 • April 23 • May 28 • June 25
July 23 • August 27 • September 24 • October 22 • November 26

No December meeting
Live streaming coming in the future

ABOUT THE GROUP

Artificial intelligence is opening exciting new possibilities for family history research. AI doesn't replace traditional genealogical methods, but it adds powerful capabilities that can make your research easier, faster, and more creative.

AI tools can help you:

Analyze and transcribe hard-to-read documents
Identify patterns across multiple records
Generate research strategies for challenging problems
Organize and summarize complex information
Suggest new avenues to explore

Our AI Special Interest Group meets monthly to explore how artificial intelligence can enhance family history research through hands-on exercises with sample prompts, collaborative problem-solving, and shared discoveries. We build community connections around AI and genealogy in an informal, supportive setting where everyone learns together.

What makes our group unique:

Hands-on exercises each session with ready-to-use sample prompts
Exploration of both free and paid tools with comparative insights
Beginner-friendly approach—no AI experience required
In-person format for immediate help and community building
Collaborative, drop-in atmosphere where you can come and go
Ethical and responsible AI use as a core principle

AI TOOLS WE EXPLORE

We work with several leading AI platforms, exploring both free and paid versions:

ChatGPT – Conversational AI for research planning and analysis
Claude – Advanced reasoning for complex genealogical problems
Google Gemini – Document analysis and pattern recognition
Perplexity – Research-focused AI with source citations
And other emerging tools as they become relevant to genealogy

USING AI RESPONSIBLY

While AI-powered tools are game-changers for genealogists, offering instant research assistance, record analysis, and pattern recognition, they should be used responsibly with ethical considerations in mind. We emphasize:

Verifying AI-generated information against primary sources
Understanding AI limitations and potential biases
Protecting privacy and sensitive family information
Maintaining genealogical standards while leveraging AI capabilities

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Everyone! Whether you're:

Completely new to AI
Already experimenting with these technologies
Experienced with genealogy but curious about AI
Looking for community and collaborative learning

You'll find a welcoming group ready to explore together. Bring your questions, your brick walls, or just your curiosity.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Each meeting includes:

Brief introduction to a specific AI tool, prompt or technique
Hands-on exercise with sample prompts to try
Time for questions and collaborative problem-solving
Informal discussion and sharing of discoveries
Supportive atmosphere where all questions are welcome

PARKING & ACCESSIBILITY

Ample parking is available at the West Waco Library and Genealogy Center.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Sherri Ahmadzadeh at sherrisplace (at) gmail (dot) com.