The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast RLP 366: Using AI to Add Historical Context - Boston Union Workhouse and Sarah Jane (Miller) Creer
8 snips
Jul 14, 2025 Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming genealogical research. The hosts dive into the life of Sarah Jane Miller, tracing her journey from a workhouse in England to Utah. They explore the stark realities of life in Victorian workhouses and the impact on children like Sarah Jane. Learn about a custom AI tool designed to ease research log updates and hear practical tips for ethical integration of AI in personal genealogy. Their upcoming webinar on Y-DNA analysis and educational initiatives adds to the rich discussion.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Sarah Jane's Early Workhouse Anecdote
- Sarah Jane was only 10 when she lived in the Boston Union Workhouse with her mother.
- AI helped reveal a family story about her pulling a handcart while her ill mother rode along, showing pioneer hardships.
Contextualizing Pioneer Hardships
- Some pioneer hardship stories may be family lore rather than documented fact.
- Historical context can reveal that experiences were challenging yet often not as severe as portrayed.
Harsh Life Inside Workhouses
- Victorian workhouses enforced strict routines, segregated families, and stripped inmates of personal identity.
- Children like Sarah Jane lived in harsh conditions but received uniforms to maintain hygiene at the cost of individuality.
