A toolkit of AI prompts and utilities for genealogical research, designed to follow the Genealogical Proof Standard. For genealogists at every level — from hobbyists exploring their first census record to credentialed professionals managing client work.
| Category | Description | Start Here |
|---|---|---|
| Research | GPS-based research methodology | research-assistant-v8.5-compact.md |
| GRA Skill | GPS research assistant for Claude Code (v8.5) | SKILL.md |
| Transcription | Diplomatic transcription for handwritten documents | ocr-htr-v08.md |
| Image Analysis | Forensic image interpretation for historical photographs | deep-look-v2.md |
| Hebrew Headstones | Jewish cemetery headstone analysis with gematria dating | hebrew-headstone-helper-v9.md |
| Photo Restoration | Historical photograph restoration | restoration-v2.md |
| Writing Tools | Narrative writing, fact extraction, language advising, editing | narrative-assistant-v3.md |
| Assistants | AI personas, GEDCOM creation and analysis | gedcom-builder-v1.md |
| Skills | Claude Code skills with companion files | skills/ |
| Scripts | Audio transcription utilities | transcribe-4.py |
| Benchmark | AI research evaluation framework | README.md |
Full catalog: INDEX.md | Detailed guide: GETTING-STARTED.md | Guided tour: TOUR-REPORT.md
- Pick a category above
- Copy the recommended prompt into your LLM (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.)
- Provide your input (document scan, photo, research question)
- Follow the output structure
New here? The Getting Started guide walks through setup, first use, and common workflows.
The research/ folder contains prompts designed to follow the Genealogical Proof Standard—the professional methodology for evidence-based genealogical conclusions.
Key features:
- Evidence Analysis Process Map: Classifies sources (Original/Derivative/Authored), information (Primary/Secondary), and evidence (Direct/Indirect/Negative)
- Epistemic transparency: Separates what sources state from inference from uncertainty
- Conflict resolution: Explicit protocols for handling contradictory evidence
Aligned with the methodology described in:
- Mills, Evidence Explained, 4th ed. (2024)
- BCG, Genealogy Standards, 2nd ed. revised (2021)
The benchmark/ folder contains a framework for evaluating how well AI models follow GPS methodology. Includes comparative analysis of Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok.
This toolkit applies widely recognized genealogical research principles. It is not published by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Elizabeth Shown Mills, the Board for Certification of Genealogists, or any certifying body. References to published standards indicate methodological alignment, not authorization or derivation.
Steve Little (@DigitalArchivst)