Claude.ai has been one of my favorite apps for genealogical writing for the past couple years. When I first started experimenting with Claude, I was curious if it could transform my spreadsheet research log into a research report. The process proved more challenging than I expected, requiring numerous chain-of-thought prompts and a good deal of fine-tuning. In April of 2024, I tested this task with a research log I created several years ago about Baldy Dyer, but never wrote the research report. After quite a bit of effort, I successfully got Claude to generate a passable research report. You can read the report I created with Claude’s help in this blog post:

Nicole Elder Dyer, “Disclosing Use of AI for Writing Assistance in Genealogy,” blog post, April 12, 2024, Family Locket (https://familylocket.com/disclosing-use-of-ai-for-writing-assistance-in-genealogy/ : accessed 21 February 2026).

Scroll halfway down to the section “Example Report Written by AI.”

Custom Skills

Today, I experimented with Claude’s Custom Skills feature, which is similar to Custom GPTs. Custom Skills allow you to set up instructions for Claude for tasks that you do often. The files for the skills are saved in your settings and can be manually tweaked for extra precision. The skills are automatically activated depending on what you ask Claude to do in your conversations. Learn more about Custom Skills here. I decided to set up a Custom Skill to transform research log spreadsheet files into research reports. Claude guides you through the process of creating the skill and it was simple to do. My prompt:

Let’s create a skill together using your skill-creator skill. When I upload a research log as structured data (csv, xlsx), create a paragraph from each row of the research log describing what was searched and what was found, using the source citation as footnote in markdown.

Claude’s response:

Claude then gave me a markdown file to download that had the information for the skill. It provided the following summary of the skill:

After asking a two clarifying questions, it asked me to upload a research log spreadsheet to test. I uploaded my Baldy Dyer research log that I tested a year and a half ago with Claude’s less capable models to compare the process and output. After adding my Excel spreadsheet file, Claude tested the skill it created and turned the log into a report. It then evaluated its success and noted the successes and challenges.

I provided some feedback about synthesizing the results and comments fields into natural prose without making inferences or adding to / changing main idea of the fields. I asked it to include any direct quotes from sources as block quotes and not start each paragraph with the date the search was done. My other feedback was about how to handle negative results – basically affirming its idea to write a rule about handling writing about negative results more naturally. After these updates, Claude re-ran the skill with the research log and the following report was the result.

I was struck by how smoothly the whole process went — Claude created the skill, proposed refinements, and then put it to work with impressive results–impressive in that it was extremely efficient for me and doesn’t contain inaccuracies. The report is somewhat raw, in that it needs transitions and explanations, plus additional trasncriptions of historical records (that I didn’t include in the log). However this brief experiment respresents a big step forward in the last year and a half for Claude’s ability to create a genealogical research report with footnotes from a spreadsheet.

I’m pasting the full report below so you can see how the footnotes turned out. Pasting the results into my WordPress blog post editor didn’t hyperlink the footnotes, so I pasted it first into Word (using the Writage markdown plugin), then copied/pasted it here.

Here’s the research log PDF (saved from my spreadsheet) so you can see the starting data: Baldy Dyer Research Log – 2024.

Report from Research Log: Baldy Dyer

Research Objective: Identify the children of Baldy Dyer, who married Polly Taylor, 13 Dec 1800, in Davidson, Tennessee, and died 20 November 1814 in Davidson, TN. This is part of an overarching project to find out if there is any connection in Baldy Dyer’s descendants to John Robert Dyer.

A search of FamilySearch.org for marriage records in Davidson County, Tennessee turned up a record for Joel Dyer, who married Sally Jones Christmas on 16 July 1802, recorded on page 43. Joel Dyer also appeared in Hawkins County records, raising the possibility of a connection to John Robert Dyer. The researcher noted that the marriage register’s “I solemnized the rites of marriage” line was left blank for nearly all entries, with possible ditto marks, and suggested that Joel may have been a sibling, father, or uncle to Baldy.[1]

A search of Ancestry.com for the 1805 Davidson County, Tennessee tax list found three Dyers listed together on page 8: Joel Dyer with two free white males and twelve taxable slaves, R. Thomas Dyer with two free white males and five taxable slaves, and Baldy Dyer with one free white male and no taxable slaves. The researcher noted that Baldy was erroneously indexed as “Rudy” due to poor image quality caused by heavy contrast, but that the initial letter is almost certainly a B. The document’s 14 images are arranged alphabetically, and page numbers appear to have been added by a later hand.[2]

A search of the Tennessee Genealogical Society’s Ansearchin’ News transcription of the 1805 Davidson County tax list confirmed the same three Dyers — Joel, R. Thomas, and Baldy — with identical figures, and confirmed that Betsy F. West, the transcriber, correctly rendered Baldy’s name.[3]

A search of Fold3.com for military enlistment records located an entry for Baldy Dyer in the Records of Men Enlisted in the U.S. Army Prior to the Peace Establishment. The record identified him as a private in the 39th U.S. Infantry under Col. J. Williams, enlisting on 20 November 1814 for five years under Ensign R.B. Harney. His physical description listed him as 5′10″ with blue eyes, black hair, and a sandy complexion; his occupation was farmer, his birthplace Greenville, North Carolina, and his estimated birth year 1775, making him approximately 39 at enlistment. Remarks indicated he died in February 1815 at Knoxville. The researcher highlighted Greenville, North Carolina as a significant finding that points to a promising location for identifying Dyer relatives and possible paternal connections.[4]

A search of Wikipedia for background on the 39th United States Infantry established that the regiment was authorized on 29 January 1813 and recruited in East Tennessee by Col. John Williams. The researcher noted that Baldy enlisted following the regiment’s participation in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.[5]

A search of Fold3.com’s Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Index found an entry for Baldy Dyer as a private in the 39th U.S. Infantry under Lt. Covington, War of 1812, with warrant number 12-302, recorded as not rejected. The researcher suggested the application may have been filed by Baldy’s widow, Mary, after his death in 1815.[6]

A search of Ancestry.com for the 1820 federal census in Davidson County, Tennessee found a household headed by Maria Dyer in Nashville, enumerated on 7 August 1820. The household contained six free white persons: two males under ten, one female under ten, one female aged 16–25, and two females aged 45 and over. The researcher proposed that Maria Dyer was likely one of the two older women — born before 1775 — and that her status as head of household suggests she was widowed; the composition is consistent with Baldy’s widow and some of her children.[7]

A search of FamilySearch.org for marriage records in Davidson County, Tennessee found a record of Polly Dyer marrying James Tayler on 29 April 1830, solemnized by Justice of the Peace Jno. P. Enim:

“I solemnized the rite of matrimony between the within named parties on the 29th day of Apl 1830. Jno P. Enim J.P.”

The researcher considered whether this Polly Dyer might be Baldy’s widow, but concluded she was more likely a daughter — noting that if Polly had been 20 at Baldy’s 1800 marriage, she would have been around 50 by 1830, whereas a daughter would fit comfortably within the age ranges observable in the 1820 census household.[8]

A search of Ancestry.com for probate records in McMinn County, Tennessee surfaced a reference in the inventory of the estate of Manuel Parkinson (p. 450) containing the following entry:

“1 note on Archibald Dyer due 8 January 1841 desperate $4.62”

The researcher questioned whether this Archibald Dyer of McMinn County might be the same Archibald who was recorded as a son of Baldy.[9]

A search of Fold3.com’s Numerical Index to Pensions (1860–1934) found pension card #28317 listing Baldy Dyer as a dependent of Thomas Blake under an Old War Invalid designation. The researcher noted that the collection’s timeframe post-dates Baldy’s known death by decades, but that the “Old War” label could indicate the War of 1812 or the period 1783–1861, and raised the possibility that Baldy may have been connected to Thomas Blake through his mother’s family.[10]

A search of the Tennessee Wills and Probate Records database on Ancestry.com found no will or probate record for Baldwin or Baldy Dyer in Davidson County, Tennessee.[11]

A search of Davidson County, Tennessee Will Book 3 (1805–1811) on FamilySearch.org found no entry for any Dyer in the index.[12]

A search of Davidson County, Tennessee Will Books 3–4 (April 1805–April 1816) on FamilySearch.org found no Dyer in the index on image 132, which appears to cover Will Book 4. The researcher noted that Will Book 3’s index begins at “F,” suggesting the earlier pages were lost, and that Baldy’s will would not have predated 1814.[13]

A search of Davidson County, Tennessee Will Book 7 (1816–1821) on FamilySearch.org found no Dyer in the “D” section of the front index.[14]

A search of Davidson County, Tennessee Will Book 8 (1821–1826) on FamilySearch.org found no Dyer in the “D” section of the front index.[15]

A search of Davidson County, Tennessee Will Book 9 (1826–1832) on FamilySearch.org found no Dyer in the “D” section of the front index.[16]

A search of Davidson County, Tennessee Will Book 10 (1832–1836) on FamilySearch.org found no Dyer in the “D” section of the front index.[17]

A search of Davidson County, Tennessee Will Book 11 (1837–1840) on FamilySearch.org found no Dyer in the “D” section of the front index.[18]

A search of the Tennessee Probate Court Files (1795–1955) on FamilySearch.org found no will or probate record for Baldwin or Baldy Dyer.[19]

A search of the Davidson County, Tennessee land records grantee index (A–K, 1784–1871) on FamilySearch.org found no entry for any Dyer.[20]

A search of the Davidson County, Tennessee land records grantor index (A–K, 1784–1871) on FamilySearch.org found no entry for any Dyer.[21]

A search of the U.S. Compiled Revolutionary War Military Service Records (1775–1783) on Ancestry.com found no record for Baldwin or Baldy Dyer.[22]

A search of the National Archives bounty land warrant files found a cover sheet for Baldy Dyer’s file (warrant 36389, in lieu of B.L. #302), identifying him as a private in Lt. Covington’s Company of the 39th Infantry, War of 1812, with container number 1672 and bundle number 151. The researcher noted this was the first of four images in the file.[23]

A search of the National Archives bounty land warrant files surfaced a certification dated 11 November 1817 from the Paymaster General’s Office in Washington:

“I certify that it appears from a muster Roll of Capt. Covingtons detachment of the 39th U. S. Inf’y, on file in this Office, that Baldy Dyer a private thereof, enlisted on the 20th of Nov’r 1814, for 5 years, and died in the month of February 1815. Wm. Steen Maj’r & Pay Master.”

The researcher identified this as the second image in the file, and noted that Baldy enlisted in November and died just two to three months later, in February 1815.[24]

A search of the National Archives bounty land warrant files found a certificate of military service and death for Baldy Dyer (certificate no. 302), recording him as a private in the 39th Infantry under Capt. Covington’s Detachment, who enlisted 20 November 1814 and died in February 1815. The certificate also named Mary Dyer as guardian to seven children — a significant finding regarding Baldy’s likely widow and the number of his dependents.[25]

A search of the National Archives bounty land warrant files found the survivor pension claim associated with certificate no. 302, naming Mary Dyer as warrantee and guardian of Baldy Dyer’s children, filed under the Act of 16 April 1816. The nature of the claim was listed as a survivor’s pension for Baldy’s service as a private in the 39th Infantry.[26]

Sources

[1] “Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 27 May 2019), Joel Dyer and Sally Jones Christmas, 16 Jul 1802; citing Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Marriage, p. 43, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 200,294.

[2] Davidson County, Tennessee, Tax List, 1805, Baldy Dyer, p. 8; image online, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 June 2019); citing Early Tax Lists of Tennessee, The Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee.

[3] Betsy F. West, “Davidson County, Tennessee, Tax List – 1805,” Ansearchin’ News vol. 26 (No. 2 Spring, 1979): 80-85, esp. 82; image online, Tennessee Genealogical Society (https://www.tngs.org/Ansearchn-News : accessed 3 June 2019).

[4] Records of Men Enlisted in the U.S. Army Prior to the Peace Establishment, May 17, 1815, Vol. 8 “D”, p. 30, line 377, Baldy Dyer, enlisted 20 Nov 1814; image online, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/image/310973464?rec=300880247 : accessed 3 June 2019); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, roll MIUSA1798_102863, National Archives, Washington DC.

[5] “39th Infantry Regiment (War of 1812),” Wikipedia, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/39th_Infantry_Regiment_(War_of_1812) : last edited on 28 April 2018, at 13:41 (UTC).

[6] “Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Index,” entry for Baldy Dyer, Private, 1812, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/record/641231683-baldy-dyer-private : accessed 3 June 2019); citing National Archives Publication, Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Index (Text only collection), citing Warrant Number 12-302.

[7] 1820 U.S. Census, Davidson County, Tennessee, Nashville City, household of Mary Dyer, page 45 (penned) line 19; database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2019); citing National Archives microfilm publication M33, roll 122.

[8] “Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 27 May 2019), James Tayler and Polly Dyer, 29 Apr 1830; citing Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Marriage, p. 381, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 200,294.

[9] “Tennessee, Wills and Probate Records, 1779-2008,” database online, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2019), Archibald Dyer in Manuael Parkinson Inventory; citing McMinn County Will Bookis, 1828-1848, p. 450.

[10] “Numerical Index to Pensions, 1860-1934,” Dependent Pension File, index card, Old War, Pension # 28317, Baldy Dyer as a dependent in Thomas Blake pension; image online, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/image/309160385?rec=293366466 : accessed 3 June 2019).

[11] “Tennessee, Wills and Probate Records, 1779-2008,” database online, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2019), negative search for Baldwin or Baldy Dyer in Davidson, Tennessee; citing Tennessee County, District and Probate Courts.

[12] Davidson County, Tennessee, Wills & Inventories Vol 3, 1805-1811, Historical Record Project Copied under work’s progress administration (Davidson Co., TN, 1936) 130, negative search for Dyer; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 27 May 2019); citing FHL 24,633.

[13] Davidson County, Tennessee, Wil Book #3-4, April 1805-April 1816.

[14] Davidson County, Tennessee, Will Book #7 1816-1821.

[15] Davidson County, Tennessee, Will Book #8 1821-1826.

[16] Davidson County, Tennessee, Will Book #9 1826-1832.

[17] Davidson County, Tennessee, Will Book #10 1832-1836.

[18] Davidson County, Tennessee, Will Book #11 1837-1840.

[19] “Tennessee Probate Court Files, 1795-1955,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : 27 May 2019), Davidson > Probate Court, Will records > 1784-1920 > Cobble, Cami – Eggstein, Joseph > image 2608 of 2908, negative search for Baldwin or Baldy Dyer; county archives, Tennessee.

[20] Land and property records, 1784-1946, Grantee index A-K 1784-1871.

[21] Land and property records, 1784-1946, Grantor index A-K 1784-1871.

[22] U.S. Compiled Revolutionary War Military Service Records, 1775-1783.

[23] Baldy Dyer (Priv., Lt. Covington’s Company, 39th Inf., War of 1812), bounty land warrant file 36389 (Act of 1812 In Lieu of BL #302), image 1; Military Bounty Land Warrants and Related Papers; Record Group 49: Records of the Bureau of Land Management; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

[24] Baldy Dyer (Priv., Lt. Covington’s Company, 39th Inf., War of 1812), bounty land warrant file 36389 (Act of 1812 In Lieu of BL #302), image 2; Military Bounty Land Warrants and Related Papers; Record Group 49: Records of the Bureau of Land Management; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

[25] Baldy Dyer (Priv., Lt. Covington’s Company, 39th Inf., War of 1812), bounty land warrant file 36389 (Act of 1812 In Lieu of BL #302), image 3; Military Bounty Land Warrants and Related Papers; Record Group 49: Records of the Bureau of Land Management; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

[26] Baldy Dyer (Priv., Lt. Covington’s Company, 39th Inf., War of 1812), bounty land warrant file 36389 (Act of 1812 In Lieu of BL #302), image 4; Military Bounty Land Warrants and Related Papers; Record Group 49: Records of the Bureau of Land Management; National Archives, Washington, D.C.