What AI Says about The Family History Guide
I recently asked Microsoft Copilot this basic question: “What Is The Family History Guide?”
Here is the response I got:
“The Family History Guide is a free, comprehensive learning system designed to help people explore and document their family history. It offers step-by-step guidance for using popular genealogy platforms like FamilySearch, Ancestry, MyHeritage, and Findmypast.
What makes it especially useful is its structured approach: you can follow learning paths tailored to your experience level, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced. It also includes research tips, record-finding tools, and over 200 family history activities for individuals, families, and youth. Think of it as a personal coach for your genealogy journey—organized, approachable, and surprisingly fun.
Want to dive into a specific part of it, like building your tree or exploring DNA tools? I can help you get started.”
I took the “diving in” cue from Copilot and followed up with this query:
“How do I find tools for training other people in genealogy, using The Family History Guide?”
Copilot responded this way:
The Family History Guide has a whole section dedicated to helping you train others in genealogy—it’s called the Trainer’s Menu, and it’s packed with practical tools and resources.
Here’s what you’ll find there:
- 2-Minute Demos: Quick videos that explain key concepts—perfect for introducing topics in a class or workshop.
- Practice Exercises: Hands-on activities to reinforce learning.
- Class Outlines: Ready-made lesson plans you can adapt for different audiences.
- The Q&A Center: A hub for common questions and answers to support learners.
- Trainer’s Corner: Tips and strategies for teaching effectively.
You can explore all of these on The Family History Guide’s official site, or check out a RootsTech session that walks through how to use these tools in real-world training.
Interesting note: AI tools such as Copilot, Google Gemini, and ChatGPT can be used to search for features in The Family History Guide, as was done in the previous example. The Family History Guide has a blue magnifying glass icon that does a Google search inside the website, but AI tools can also be used to find features.
James Tanner, Chairman of the Board for The Family History Guide Association, also posed a basic question about The Family History Guide to Google Gemini. Below is part of the reply. Note how Gemini connected his physical location with information about BYU Family History Library:
“The Family History Guide is an incredibly valuable and comprehensive, free resource for anyone interested in family history. It’s particularly strong in its structured learning paths and its integration with the major genealogy websites. Given your location in Provo, it’s also worth noting its strong connection to FamilySearch and the BYU Family History Library, which often refer users to it for structured learning.”
