The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast

RLP 379: Handwritten Text Recognition with Google AI Studio

Oct 13, 2025
Discover the power of handwritten text recognition with Google AI Studio's Gemini 2.5 Pro. Hear about a fascinating transcribing journey of a 1791 South Carolina deed, showcasing AI's accuracy and utility. The hosts discuss the significance of clear images for effective transcription and share tips for using this cutting-edge tool. They also delve into the future possibilities of AI in genealogy research, highlighting practical applications and the importance of verifying AI outputs. Get ready to enhance your transcription skills in a whole new way!
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INSIGHT

Gemini 2.5 Pro Is Most Accurate In Studio

  • Gemini 2.5 Pro accessed via Google AI Studio produces far more accurate handwritten transcriptions than standard Gemini chat interfaces.
  • Hidden system prompts in the Gemini chatbot likely reduce transcription accuracy compared with the Studio's direct model access.
ADVICE

Preserve Line Breaks When Transcribing

  • Paste each page image into the same Google AI Studio conversation and instruct Gemini to keep line breaks.
  • The model will respect line breaks and preserve original line structure for easier verification.
ANECDOTE

Deed Helped Sally Keaton Research

  • Diana used a 1791 Anderson County deed in her Sally Keaton research and found Burgess Reeves connected to her family question.
  • The deed helped confirm associations and supported hypotheses about Burgess Reeves and William Reeves.
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