Real Genealogical Research from FamilySearch Full-Text Search, Google Gemini and NotebookLM

 

It seems like an impossible dream that AI could help with actual genealogical research but the amazing fact is that FamilySearch.org's full-text search plus the personal Language Model of Google's NotebookLM aided by Google Gemini have accomplished the seemingly impossible. 

It seems like an impossible dream that AI could help with actual genealogical research, but the amazing fact is that FamilySearch.org's full-text search, plus the personal Language Model of Google's NotebookLM aided by Google Gemini, have accomplished the seemingly impossible.

Over the past few days, I have been using FamilySearch full-text search to find dozens of records from North and South Kingstown, Rhode Island, about my direct-line ancestor, William Tanner (LTRX-BJF). Because of his immense number of descendants and two century-old books that contain only a shred of accurate record sources, the family tree has been subject to a constant stream of changes. These changes caused me to abandon the original entry, which presently bears no resemblance to the historical record. I finally ended up with about eighty source documents. I entered PDF copies of all those documents into the NotebookLM language model and began asking questions about William Tanner. The responses were clear and concise. Here is the latest prompt and response:

Continuing to act as a professional genealogist and historical forensic expert, and using all the previously uploaded documents with the newly uploaded ones update your previous analysis and conclusions. If any documents are exact duplicates, you can disregard the duplicates. Also suggest any documents that may be needed to adequately identify William Tanner as set forth above.

As a professional genealogist and historical forensic expert, I have integrated the new probate, land, and court records with previous documentation to provide an updated analysis of the William Tanner (LTRX-BJF) family. The evidence reveals a lineage defined by repeated naming patterns and geographic clusters that led to significant confusion in earlier, unreliable genealogies.

1. Identity of the Patriarch: William Tanner (LTRX-BJF)

The primary identity of William Tanner (LTRX-BJF) is that of the patriarch who established the family in the Kingstown area by the late 17th century.

• The 1754 Guardianship Link: A crucial new forensic link appears in a 1754 court record where Benjamin Tanner (son of a deceased Benjamin) requested that his grandfather, William Tanner, be appointed his guardian. This confirms that a William Tanner of the immigrant generation was still living and legally active as late as 1754.

• Estate Disposal: In 1730, this William Tanner of South Kingstown transferred his "Goods and Chattles" to his son Nathan. In 1733, his son Benjamin sold land to his brother Nathan, explicitly stating it was land given to him by his father.

• The Marital Conflict: While traditional books name Elizabeth Cottrill as a third wife in 1723, forensic analysis proves she could not be the mother of the elder children. Francis (b. 1708) and Nathan (b. 1709/10) were born over a decade before that marriage, and their mother is identified in South Kingstown vital records simply as Elizabeth.

2. Forensic Resolution: The 1757 Probate Duality

The documents present a significant conflict regarding the William Tanner who died in 1757.

• Generation Mixing: Analysis of the 1757 North Kingstown probate (naming wife Elizabeth and children William, Palmer, Francis, etc.) suggests this testator is likely a different individual than the father of the 1708/1710 brothers.

• Age Discrepancies: The 1757 will names a son, Francis, who research notes indicate was likely born around 1736. This is nearly 30 years after the birth of the Francis Tanner who settled in Hopkinton.

• The "Twelve Williams" Theory: Investigators have now documented at least 12 men named William Tanner in the region, including a Blacksmith in North Kingstown (1745) and a resident of Exeter (1764).

3. The Second Generation: Verified Sons

Based on land evidence and probate, the primary family group for LTRX-BJF consists of:

• Benjamin Tanner (b. 1692): Identified through the 1733 deed to his brother and the 1754 guardianship of his son.

• Francis Tanner (1708–1777): He settled in HopkintonHis. A 1776 will names children Josias, Isaac, William, Joshua, Mary, Dorcas, and Susannah and mentions his brother Nathan.

• Nathan Tanner (1709/10–1752): He received goods from his father in 1730 and land from his brother in 1733. His 1752 probate in Westerly identifies his wife Mary (Cottrell) and children David, Nathan, and Abel.

4. Geographic and Legal Movement

• Social and Legal Status: The family were Sabbatarians (Seventh Day Baptists). Their involvement in multiple court cases for debt recovery (1745–1765) and the possession of a sawmill and enslaved persons (Cloe and Quem) indicates they were part of the established land-owning class.

• Migration: By 1790, descendants like Isaac Tanner moved to Herkimer County, NY, acquiring 1,200 acres at "Tanner Hill," while later branches established themselves in Navajo County, Arizona.

Suggested Documents for Adequate Identification

To definitively separate the "Twelve Williams" and confirm the parentage of LTRX-BJF, the following are required:

1. North Kingstown Land Evidence (Pre-1722): Specifically any deeds involving William Tanner and wife Elizabeth that pre-date the 1723 Colgrove marriage.

2. Sabbatarian Church Records (1690–1740): Membership lists for the Newport or Westerly Sabbatarian churches may list wives and children in baptismal or disciplinary records.

3. Tibbitts Family Probate: Detailed analysis of the will of Henry Tibbitts (William's supposed father-in-law) to verify if he names a daughter married to William Tanner and identifies her children.

4. Tax Records (1700–1750): Comparative tax lists for North and South Kingstown to track how many men named William Tanner paid taxes simultaneously in different districts\.

The Tanner family tree is currently like a puzzle where several pieces have been forced into the wrong slots by 20th-century authors; only by removing the "traditional" pieces and relying on the hard edges of contemporary deeds and probate can the true picture of LTRX-BJF be reconstructed.

This is the first real discovery in the past 40+ years. It still seems that I will have some substantial research to do, but this is the first time that I have hope for a possible solution. Stay tuned, and we may see some final results.

Stay tuned and we may see some final results.

MyHeritage Year in Review 2025

 

MyHeritage Year in Review

As we close the doors on 2025, it is clear that this year marked a monumental turning point for MyHeritage. It was a year where the boundaries of "possible" were pushed further than ever before, blending cutting-edge artificial intelligence with a massive expansion of their collective historical memory.

From the depths of ancient history to the nuances of our personal health, here is a look back at the milestones that defined MyHeritage in 2025.

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Redefining Discovery: AI and DNA Innovation

This year, MyHeritage fundamentally changed how we understand our biological blueprints. The most significant shift came with the adoption of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). By becoming the first major consumer DNA company to transition all new tests to this method, MyHeritage now maps 3 billion data points, providing a level of detail previously reserved for high-end clinical research.

The DNA experience was further enriched by several key launches:

• Ancient Origins: A breakthrough product allowing users to bridge a 10,000-year gap, tracing their lineages back to ancient populations such as the Vikings, Romans, and Celts.

• Ethnicity Estimate v2.5: Our most precise update to date, nearly doubling our supported ethnicities from 42 to 79.

• MyHeritage DNA Traits: Launched in December, this feature delivers 40 comprehensive reports detailing how genetics influence everything from personality traits to physical fitness.

Beyond the lab, we introduced Cousin Finder™, a revolutionary tool that identifies relatives sharing common ancestors through historical records alone—no DNA test required.

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Preserving the Human Narrative

2025 was also the year we moved from "finding" history to "writing" it. We launched MyStories, a guided service that uses audio recordings and AI-driven prompts to help users compile their life experiences into a beautiful printed hardcover book. It ensures that the stories of today are never lost to the fog of tomorrow.

A Record-Breaking Year for Archives

Our digital vault grew at a staggering pace this year. We added 6.6 billion records, bringing our global total to over 38 billion.

Achievement	2025 Metric
New Records Added	6.6 Billion
Total Record Count	38+ Billion
OldNews.com Pages	400+ Million
Webinars Hosted	225

A major highlight was the growth of OldNews.com. Surpassing 400 million digitized pages, the site became the engine for the "Names & Stories" project. This AI initiative scans unstructured newspaper articles to extract searchable records, turning a mention in a small-town 19th-century paper into a findable moment for descendants.

Key collection additions included the 1921 England & Wales Census, WWII Draft Registrations, and significant expansions for researchers in Sweden, Ireland, and France.

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Community and the Power of Connection

The MyHeritage community remained more active than ever. Legacy Family Tree Webinars produced 225 sessions, featuring staples like the 24-Hour Genealogy Marathon and "Webtember," ensuring that genealogists of all skill levels had the tools to succeed.

Ultimately, these tools are built for one purpose: The Human Story. This year, we were moved by accounts of profound reunions:

• Mikael Kjelleros Endrell was reunited with his biological mother in Colombia 40 years after being kidnapped as a child.

• Peter Sykes showed the world the resilience of the human spirit, using genealogy as a vital tool for cognitive rehabilitation following a stroke.

As we look toward 2026, MyHeritage remains committed to the idea that every person has a story worth telling and a history worth finding.

Old vs New: Are all old people technologically challenged?

 

The question in my title reflects a common stereotype in the United States. Having used computers since 1969—from my first Apple II in 1978 through my law career—I’ve seen how technology adoption varies. While I've witnessed how dementia can erode these skills, my experience also shows that the 'digital divide' is often less about age and more about income and education. In my law practice, I saw senior attorneys who refused to use computers; conversely, at the BYU Library Family History Center, I work with retired volunteers who possess advanced technical skills.

I began using computers back in about 1969. Although I spent some time in the U.S. Army and Law school, I bought my first Apple II in about 1978. I have been consistently working on computers since then. I also began doing my own genealogical research in 1982. 

Both my parents were afflicted with dementia in their old age and I have seen the effects of dementia on a person's ability to handle technology. A quick review of a number of online sources reveals  a significant digital divide influenced by age, income, and education levels. While younger generations are often labeled "digital natives," experts argue they are frequently just efficient consumers of social media rather than being proficient in essential workplace software. This is my own experience with my grandchildren. When I retired from my law practice about 12 years ago, there were still senior attorneys working at the law firm who could not and/or would not use computers. Beyond my personal observations, broader data reveals that the 'digital divide' is deeply rooted in systemic literacy gaps.

Socio-economic factors such as education and income act as primary determinants of digital literacy, creating a "digital divide" both within nations and on a global scale. These factors influence not only the ability to access technology but also the capacity to use it for complex problem-solving and economic advancement. I realize I have written on this topic before, but it bears frequent repeating. 

The Role of Education

Educational attainment is one of the most consistent predictors of digital literacy.

• Foundation of Skills: Education provides the foundational literacy and numeracy skills required for "digital problem solving"—defined as the ability to use technology to acquire information, communicate, and perform practical tasks.
• Literacy Gaps: In the United States, digital literacy increases significantly with formal schooling. Approximately 41% of adults without a high school diploma are not digitally literate, compared to only 5% of those with a college degree.
• Quality vs. Degree: Simply graduating does not guarantee literacy. For instance, data from 2024 revealed that nearly 19 million Filipino students who graduated from junior and senior high school were considered functionally illiterate, meaning they could read but struggled to comprehend or apply written instructions—a major barrier to effective digital tool use.
• Global Disparities: Developed nations, which typically have adult literacy rates of 96% or higher, have much lower rates of digital non-literacy than the least developed countries, where literacy rates average only 65%.

The Impact of Income and Wealth

Income shapes digital literacy primarily by dictating access to infrastructure and the affordability of devices.

• Device Adoption and Access: In the U.S., higher-income populations adopt technology at much higher rates. Among seniors, 87% of those earning $75,000 or more have home broadband, compared to just 27% of those earning less than $30,000.
• Infrastructure Barriers: In countries like Mexico, the digital divide is heavily linked to poverty and a lack of proper fiber-optic infrastructure in rural, low-income areas. Similarly, in Sub-Saharan Africa, widespread poverty limits internet use to roughly 7% of inhabitants, even though mobile phone ownership is much higher.
• Service Costs: In regions where telecommunications are monopolized, high costs prevent low-income families from accessing the internet, further stagnating their digital skill development.

The Socio-Economic Feedback Loop

There is a profound cyclical relationship between these factors and economic success:

• Employability: Adults with higher digital literacy have higher rates of labor force participation (84%) compared to those who are not digitally literate (66%).
• Job Quality: Digitally non-literate adults are disproportionately found in unskilled or semi-skilled blue-collar jobs.
• Economic Cost: Low literacy skills are linked to lower earnings and unemployment. In the U.S., low literacy levels are estimated to cost the economy up to $2.2 trillion annually due to reduced productivity and limited employability.

Based on recent data from the National Literacy Institute and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), here is a summary of the current state of literacy in the United States:

Current Statistics (2024-2025)

Illiteracy Rate: Approximately 21% of U.S. adults are considered illiterate, which translates to roughly 43 million people who struggle with basic reading tasks.

Low Proficiency: About 54% of adults read at or below a sixth-grade level. Within this group, 20% read below a fifth-grade level.

Global Standing: The U.S. currently ranks 36th in global literacy, significantly behind other developed nations that often report literacy rates of 96% or higher.

Here are some representative sources for the above information:

• Anderson, Monica, and Andrew Perrin. "Tech Adoption Climbs Among Older Adults." Pew Research Center, May 17, 2017. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2017/05/17/tech-adoption-climbs-among-older-adults/
• Ankiana. "Millennials assume anyone older than them is technologically illiterate." Reddit, r/GenX, ca. 2023. https://www.reddit.com/r/GenX/comments/11ezz04/millennials_assume_anyone_older_then_them_is/.
• Billau, Christine. "New Study Explores Digitally Native, But Technologically Illiterate Students." UToledo News, May 19, 2021. https://news.utoledo.edu/index.php/05_19_2021/new-study-explores-digitally-native-but-technologically-illiterate-students.
• Friemel, Thomas N. "The digital divide has grown old: Determinants of a digital divide among seniors." New Media & Society 18, no. 2 (2016): 313–331. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1461444814538648.
• Mamedova, Saida, and Emily Pawlowski. "A Description of U.S. Adults Who Are Not Digitally Literate." National Center for Education Statistics (NCES 2018-161), May 2018. https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2018161.
• Moller, Ralph. "45 US Literacy Statistics Exposed." Above and Beyond Therapy, July 16, 2025. https://abtaba.com/blog/us-literacy-statistics.
• OECD. "Adult skills in literacy and numeracy declining or stagnating in most OECD countries." Press release, December 10, 2024. https://www.oecd.org/en/about/news/press-releases/2024/12/adult-skills-in-literacy-and-numeracy-declining-or-stagnating-in-most-oecd-countries.html.
• Wikipedia contributors. "Digital divide by continent, area and country." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Last modified October 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide_by_continent,_area_and_country.

Analogy for Understanding: Think of socio-economic factors as the foundation and framework of a house. Education provides the blueprint and tools (literacy and logic) needed to build the structure, while income provides the high-quality materials (devices and high-speed internet). Without both, a person might be left standing in an empty lot, unable to build the "home" they need to participate in the modern digital world.

So, what does this "foundation" mean for the world of genealogy?

Genealogy is a rigorous academic pursuit, not just a casual hobby. Just as a house needs a solid base to stand, valid research requires high-level literacy and critical thinking. In my experience, many of the inaccuracies found in the FamilySearch.org Family Tree result from contributors who lack the reading levels necessary to analyze and document complex historical records accurately.

We must also move past the myth that "young people" are naturally better researchers. While they may navigate smartphones with ease, that skill does not translate into the ability to research ancestral lines in Germany or Scandinavia. Success in family history should begin with foundational training in reading and research—not just digital navigation.

The Bottom Line: Are all "old people" technologically challenged? No. But whether you are 18 or 80, the ability to build a reliable family history depends on the same foundation that supports every other digital achievement: literacy.

Enhance your responses from Google Gemini 3 with expanded prompts.

 

I have been talking to computers for about 55 years now and for the first time I am getting helpful answers. The main change is now you can ask the computer how to talk to it for any possible response. Really, if you are working with a Chatbot such as Google's Gemini 3, all you have to do is ask for some suggestions of prompts to use to answer any question or do genealogical research. In fact, Gemini 3 will ask you if you would like a suggested prompt. Here is an example from Gmini 3. The rest of examples will all be from Gemini 3. 

Would you like me to write a specific prompt for you to ensure NotebookLM captures specific details, like URLs or publication dates?

Here is the prompt it wrote:

Role: Act as a professional genealogist and forensic investigator.

Objective: Extend the family line presently on the FamilySearch.org Family Tree beginning with Ludwig Diepolder KHW6-V87 b. 1882, d. 1915, in Ulmerthal, Kreuzthal, Kempton, Schwaben, Bayern, his wife is Matilde Lohner Ferurer KWJD-363 b. 1883 in Öhningen, Amt Konstanz, Deutschland. She died in Öhningen, Amt Konstanz, Deutschland in 1946. 

His father is reported as Johann Diener KZ5G-9CH b. 1858 and has no death information and was also born in Ulmerthal, Buchenberg, Oberallgäu, Schwaben, Bavaria, Germany including spouses and any possible children. His mother is Pauline Diepolder KZYZ-TJY b. 1863 in 

Input Data: I have pasted the vital statistics, timeline, and source lists for these four individuals below. Ulmerthal, Buchenberg, Oberallgäu, Schwaben, Bavaria, Germany

1. Source Analysis: Critique the quality of the sources provided. Are they original or derivative? Do they provide direct evidence of birth/parentage, or only indirect evidence?

2. Data Consistency: Cross-reference the dates and locations. specificially look for:

o Biological impossibility (e.g., mother's age at birth).

o Chronological inconsistencies in location (e.g., being in two states at once).

3. Relationship Logic: Determine if the sources explicitly prove the link between Garrard/Elizabeth and John, or if the link is merely based on assumptions (like similar surnames in the same county).

4. Conclusion: Provide a verdict based on the Genealogical Proof Standard. Classify the relationship as "Proven," "Probable," "Possible," or "Disproven."

Role: Act as a professional genealogist and forensic investigator.

Objective: Evaluate the genealogical proof for the parent-child relationship between Garrard Morgan (L7GZ-YBB) / Elizabeth Milton (22J1-HM4) and their purported son, Doctor John Morgan (GM8Y-L9D) (husband of Mary Woodson GM8B-MS9).

Input Data: I have pasted the vital statistics, timeline, and source lists for these four individuals below.

Instructions:

5. Source Analysis: Critique the quality of the sources provided. Are they original or derivative? Do they provide direct evidence of birth/parentage, or only indirect evidence?

6. Data Consistency: Cross-reference the dates and locations. specificially look for:

o Biological impossibility (e.g., mother's age at birth).

o Chronological inconsistencies in location (e.g., being in two states at once).

7. Relationship Logic: Determine if the sources explicitly prove the link between Garrard/Elizabeth and John, or if the link is merely based on assumptions (like similar surnames in the same county).

8. Conclusion: Provide a verdict based on the Genealogical Proof Standard. Classify the relationship as "Proven," "Probable," "Possible," or "Disproven."

That is all one prompt. The response went on for pages. 

Obviously, you can ask for some things with very simple prompts, for example:

generate an image of a cow

Here is the results of this simple prompt:

The possibilities are endless such as this: 

generate an image of a prize hereford bull in a holding pen at a cattle auction building with bidders in bleachers looking one at an ongoing auction in a ring with a dirt floor. Have all the people wearing traditional us western attire with cowboy hats. Have several additional hold pens with other breeds of cattle. show the auctioneer in the center holding a mic and waving his hand. 

This could have gone on indefinitely but here is the results. By the way, capitalization doesn't seem to matter. 

Now, what do the cows have to do with genealogy? The idea here is that if you think about what you are asking and add details, you will get a more complete and useful answer.  How I really got started with all this was when I wrote a prompt and Google Gemini 3 cam back and told my my prompt was all wrong and asked if I wanted some help drafing prompts. So, you don't need to watch a lot of YouTube videos or buy a book about writing prompts, all you need to do is ask Gemini how to make your prompt better. Ultimately, what I have learned is to just ask. 

An AI Genealogical Source Reliability Scale and Conflict Audit Framework

There is, as yet, no generalized standard that clarifies the levels of trust that can be exercised for validating AI generated information including small organization or individual research. Although, developing a suggested standard would involve an international committee or other effort, I think the following is a good basis for discussion. 

AI Source Reliability Scale and Conflict Audit Framework

Grade 1

Verified Primary

• Human researcher has compared the AI transcription word-for-word against the original image. Zero discrepancies found.
• Word-for-word human audit (comparing AI transcription against original image).
• Zero (Human verified)

Meets the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) for accuracy; preferred for final evidence.

Grade 2
High-Confidence AI

• AI confidence score >95%. Document is a clear, printed text (e.g., modern book). Facts align with known historical timelines.
• Verification of metadata and spot-checking alignment with historical timelines.
• Low (High confidence scores and printed format)

High evidential weight but requires citation of AI involvement.

Grade 3
Probable Draft

• AI-transcribed cursive or archaic script. Readable but contains "low-confidence" markers or [?] symbols.
• Full human review required; manual audit if surnames or dates are missed.
• Moderate (Risk of misread archaic script)

Treatment as a draft; requires human collation to meet GPS.

Grade 4
Unverified Lead

• Summary or extraction provided by AI without a direct link to a specific line in the image.
• Finding direct links to specific lines in images; manual disentanglement of FAN (Friends, Acquaintances, Neighbors) club.
• High (Risk of name-merging or date-shifting)

AI suggestions are clues, not evidence; requires manual verification.

Grade 5
Suspected Fiction

• AI-generated "fact" that contradicts established records or lacks a verifiable citation (Hallucination).
• Re-verification of physical files; do not enter data into tree.
• Extreme (Hallucination/Fabrication)

Violates the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) requirements for complete and accurate source citations.

In this case, the levels of trust are set out in a descending manner. Genealogical organizations might be relied upon to provide such guidance. I am open to discussion. 

Now on YouTube; An Update of the Now Seventeen Rules of Genealogy

https://youtu.be/mDIGO80_xCM?si=84NLGrTGlJNnKEQr

The recent BYU Library Family History Center webinar "An Update of the Now Seventeen Rules of Genealogy" is not available on YouTube. Here is a summary of the YouTube video. 

This presentation, delivered by James Tanner at the BYU Library Family History Center, provides a vital "reality check" for genealogists. Tanner, drawing on over 43 years of experience and a background in law, outlines 17 fundamental rules designed to act as "guardrails" against the common pitfalls of genealogical research [02:29].

Below is a summary of these rules, categorized by their underlying principles:

The Physical Reality of Life

These rules focus on the biological and logical constraints that must govern your research.

• Rule 1: The Mother was There: A mother cannot give birth in two places at once or after her death. If a record suggests otherwise, the record is wrong [04:13].

• Rule 2: Absence of Evidence is Not Evidence of Absence: The lack of a death record or obituary does not mean a person is still alive. Many deaths simply went unrecorded [05:57].

• Rule 3: Unique Identity: Every person has a unique birth order and biological parents. Differentiate between people with the same name by looking at their "FAN" club—family, associates, and neighbors [07:49].

• Rule 14: You're Not Responsible for Your Ancestors: You are a recorder of history. You will find ancestors who were criminals or slave owners; your job is to observe and record, not to hide the truth [53:25].

The Nature of Historical Records

Understanding how records were created and where they are kept is half the battle.

• Rule 4: There are Always More Records: Most researchers stop at birth, marriage, death, and census records. Tanner emphasizes that land, tax, court, and church records often hold the answers [10:06].

• Rule 6: Records Migrate: Records rarely stay where the event happened. They move to county seats, state archives, or digital servers. Boundary changes (like those in Pennsylvania) often mean your ancestor’s records "moved" even if they never did [14:26].

• Rule 17: Where Life Happened, Records Remained: If people lived in an area, they left a trail. To find it, you must identify who had the authority to record events at that specific time and place [18:24].

• Rule 16: Gravity Always Wins: Physical deterioration from fire, flood, mold, and pests is a reality. Some records are simply lost forever [54:05].

The Logic of Genealogical Information

• Rule 7: Information Flows Downhill (Entropy): It is significantly easier to trace descendants forward in time than to trace ancestors backward. Records become scarcer and more fragile the further back you go [20:50].

• Rule 8: Everything is Connected: Unexpected sources, like cattle brands or property marks, can provide proof of identity or inheritance because they were legal assets [25:44].

• Rule 9: Patterns Everywhere: Use naming patterns (e.g., naming the eldest son after the paternal grandfather) and migration patterns to predict where an ancestor might have gone [28:10].

• Rule 10: Read the Fine Print: Don't just look for names. Witnesses on deeds and marginal notes in church registers often hold the key to a "brick wall" [34:38].

Verification and Truth

• Rule 11: Match is Not Identity: Just because a name, date, and place match your expectation doesn't mean it's your ancestor. Coincidences are frequent in history [37:32].

• Rule 15: It's Not a Fact Without a Record: Do not trust unsourced online trees or compiled books. Without a contemporaneous record, a lineage is just a theory [41:17].

• Rule 12: The End is Always There: Every lineage eventually ends where records cease to exist. Tanner warns against fabricating lines back to Adam or ancient royalty [46:02].

• Rule 13: Don't Just Fill Blank Spaces: Genealogists are "collectors" by nature, but you should never add a name just to complete a fan chart or pedigree [49:29].

Conclusion:

Tanner concludes that while technology like DNA and AI has changed the field, these core principles remain the same [55:47]. He recommends resources like his blog, Genealogy Star, and The Family History Guide for further study.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDIGO80_xCM