Writing Better AI Prompts
This section shows how better questions lead to better results. You will learn how to write clearer, more useful prompts for genealogy research, analysis, and writing.
Why prompts matter
AI is not a mind reader. If your prompt is too broad, too vague, or missing important details, the answer may be generic or not very useful. A better prompt gives AI context, direction, and a clear task. That usually leads to better research ideas, better summaries, and better next steps.
The 5 parts of a better genealogy prompt
Define the Goal
What do you want AI to do?
Be specific about the task. Do you want a summary, a transcription, a research plan, a list of record types, or help analyzing evidence?
Example:
“Create a research plan” instead of “Help me with genealogy”
Name the Person
Who are you researching?
Include the person’s name, dates, places, relationships, and anything known for sure.
Example:
“I am researching Mary O’Brien, born about 1860 in County Cork, Ireland, later living in Chicago.”
Add Known Facts
What evidence do you already have?
Share census data, immigration clues, family stories, record snippets, or anything already found.
Example:
“She appears in the 1900 U.S. census, says she immigrated in 1882, and had three children.”
Explain the Problem
What are you stuck on?
State the actual research question or problem.
Example:
“I cannot identify her maiden name or find the family in passenger lists.”
Ask for the Output
What kind of answer do you want back?
Tell AI how to respond.
Example:
“Give me a step-by-step research plan with likely records, search terms, and next actions.”
From weak prompts to better prompts
Example 1
Weak prompt:
“Find my Irish ancestors.”
Better prompt:
“I am researching Patrick Murphy, born about 1838 in Ireland, living in Cook County, Illinois by 1870. Please suggest a step-by-step plan to identify his county of origin using U.S. records first.”
Example 2
Weak prompt:
“Summarize this record.”
Better prompt:
“Please transcribe and summarize this death certificate. Then explain what genealogical clues it contains, including names, places, dates, and possible next records to search.”
Example 3
Weak prompt:
“Help with census records.”
Better prompt:
“I found my ancestor in the 1880 and 1900 censuses, but not 1890. Please suggest alternative record types I should search between those years and explain why.”
A simple prompt formula
I am researching [person/place/topic].
What I know already is [facts/evidence].
What I am trying to find is [goal/problem].
Please help by [specific task].
Format the answer as [list/table/summary/steps].
Example
“I am researching John Cameron of Randolph County, Illinois. What I know already is that he appears in the 1850 and 1860 census and may have come from Scotland. What I am trying to find is his immigration path and parents. Please help by giving me a research plan. Format the answer as step-by-step actions.”
Tips for getting better genealogy answers
Good genealogy prompts are usually grounded in evidence. The more clearly you separate known facts, family lore, and open questions, the more useful the response tends to be.
- Include approximate dates
- Include locations
- Separate facts from guesses
- Tell AI what records you already checked
- Ask for a step-by-step response
- Ask AI to explain its reasoning
- Ask for alternate theories when evidence conflicts
- Ask AI to stay within the evidence you provide
Common prompt mistakes
AI can help you think, organize, and explore. It should not replace record analysis, source evaluation, or your own judgment.
- Being too vague
- Asking too many things at once
- Leaving out dates or places
- Not providing known evidence
- Asking AI to “prove” something with no records
- Accepting every answer without checking sources
Reusable prompt examples
Research plan prompt
“Help me create a genealogy research plan for [name]. I know [facts]. I am trying to discover [goal]. Please give me the most likely records to search first, and explain why.”
Record analysis prompt
“Please analyze this record transcription. Identify all names, dates, places, relationships, and possible clues for future research.”
Brick wall prompt
“I am stuck on [problem]. Here is what I know: [facts]. Here is what I have already searched: [records]. Suggest new directions and explain which one you would try first.”
Locality prompt
“I am researching a family in [place] during [time period]. What records were commonly created there, and where might I find them?”
Writing prompt
“Using only the facts below, write a short narrative summary of this ancestor’s life and clearly separate proven facts from reasonable inferences.”
Try it yourself
Take one of your current genealogy questions and rewrite it using the prompt formula on this page. Add the person’s name, time period, location, what you already know, and the exact kind of help you want.