What happens when someone uses AI to alter your family photographs without permission?

In this episode of The Photo Detective, professional genealogist and social media creator Jen Schaefer, known as The Formidable Genealogist, shares a disturbing discovery: a stranger used AI to dramatically alter her grandparents’ photographs and uploaded them to Find a Grave.

The conversation explores the growing problem of AI-manipulated family photographs appearing on genealogy websites, including FamilySearch and Ancestry. From altered facial features to completely fabricated historical documents, artificial intelligence is challenging our ability to distinguish authentic evidence from fiction.

Jen and Maureen discuss photo ownership, ethical responsibilities, website policies, and the importance of clearly labeling AI-generated or enhanced images.

Their message to genealogists is clear: protect original photographs, question digital alterations, verify historical sources, and advocate for transparency before AI-generated images become accepted as family history facts.

Related Episodes:

Episode 114: Modern Tintypes Made with History

Episode 231: Navigating the New Era of AI Genealogy (2024)

Links:

• Formidable Genealogist
• Coalition for Responsible AI in Genealogy
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help preserving your photos? Check out Maureen’s Preserving Family Photographs ebook
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out The Family Photo Detective ebook
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:

Jen Shaffer is a full-time professional genealogist residing in Minneapolis. She is the owner of The Formidable Genealogist and has a broad knowledge on various research subjects, while also specializing in Nordic and Slavic research. Her formal education is in the linguistics field with a degree in Russian language and one in Russian Studies. She’s passionate about educating others on genealogy by posting daily tip videos on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Bluesky. She writes digital research guides to help others level up their genealogy skills, too.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the show

What happens when an ordinary New Bedford whaling voyage turns into one of the most extraordinary survival stories in American maritime history? In this episode of The Photo Detective, I talk with bestselling maritime historian Eric Jay Dolin, author of The Wreck of the Mentor. Dolin has written more than seventeen acclaimed books on maritime history, environmental policy, pirates, privateers, hurricanes, and the American whaling industry, including Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America and A Furious Sky.

We explore the tragic 1834 wreck of the Mentor, whose crew became stranded for years on the islands of Palau after their ship struck a reef. Erick shares how firsthand survivor accounts, newly digitized archival sources, and years of historical research allowed him to reconstruct this remarkable story of endurance, cultural encounters, and rescue. Along the way, we discuss why these stories matter to genealogists and family historians seeking to understand the lives—and sometimes mysterious disappearances—of their seafaring ancestors.

Related Episodes:

Episode 266: Military Images Magazine’s Ron Coddington shares the stories behind Civil War Photos

Episode 240: The Hidden Stories of Tattooing: Dr. Matt Lodder on Tattoos in Photography and Society

Links:

• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Need help preserving your photos? Check out Maureen’s Preserving Family Photographs ebook
• Need help identifying family photos? Check out The Family Photo Detective ebook
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:

Eric Jay Dolin is the best-selling author of numerous works in maritime history, including Left for Dead; Black Flags, Blue Waters; and Leviathan. He now lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts, with his family. http://www.ericjaydolin.com/

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the show

What happened to the women in your family tree who simply disappeared? In this episode of The Photo Detective Podcast, I’m joined by genealogist Sunny Morton to explore the hidden lives of Catholic nuns in American family history. We talk about why these women vanish from traditional records, how to identify them through clues in documents and photographs, and where to find the rich archives that hold their stories. I even share my own surprising discovery of two unknown nuns in my family. If you’ve ever had a “missing” ancestor, this episode will give you new tools—and a fresh perspective on your research.

Links:

• Save on both of Sunny's books with coupon code Church26 at Genealogical.com
• Searching for Sisters
• How to Find Your Family History in US Church Records
• Forever.com
• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest

Sunny Jane Morton is a genealogy educator whose expertise includes using U.S. religious denominational records for family history. She is author of the new book, Searching for Sisters: A Guide to Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States. She is co-author of How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records, which received a book award from the National Genealogical Society (NGS). She is Editor of NGS Magazine; a Contributing Editor at Family Tree Magazine; and an Associate member of the Archivists for Congregations of Women Religious.

Maureen Taylor

Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

Support the show