Research Like a Pro with AI
Updates Since Publication
March 25: Gemini 2.5 incorporates reasoning/thinking for free users
March 20: Claude can now search the web – for paid users in the U.S. More countries and free users will receive the feature soon.
March 18: Gemini now has Canvas, a side-by-side interface allowing collaboration between users and Gemini; available to free and paid users. Also, Gemini has Audio Overview (originally only at NotebookLM).
March 13: Gemini now allows free users to try Deep Research a few times a month. Free users can also make Gemini Gems (expert chatbots with saved instructions).
Comparison Chart
Favorite Genealogy AI Tools Feature comparison 3 April 2025
*edited 6 March 2025 to fix erroneous context windows in first row about the free plan; edited 20 March 2025 to include Gemini Canvas and audio overview for all users, Gemini Deep Research for free users, Gemini Gems for free users, and Claude web searching for paid users in the U.S.; edited 3 April 2025 to incorporate new Gemini reasoning/thinking model for free users
Edits to Spiral Bound Workbook sold at RootsTech
p. 16 – “Limitations: A this time, ChatGPT does not analyze images within PDF documents, though this feature is planned.”
p. 23 – Comparison chart first row: should only say “usage limits” for ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
Templates
Research Project Document
In this workbook, you’ll follow the Research Like a Pro Process by doing your own project. We’ve provided a project document that you can use for writing your objective, creating a research plan, and writing your report.
Make a copy of the Research Project Document template in Google Drive by following the steps below.
Rename the document: “[ancestor’s name] – Research Project”
Move the file by clicking FILE > MOVE. Select an appropriate location in your Google Drive for the document.
You can download the research project document template as a Word document by clicking FILE > DOWNLOAD AS > MICROSOFT WORD DOCX FILE.
Airtable Research Log
Create a free Airtable account. Copy the Airtable Base by choosing a template below and clicking “use template.”
- RLP with DNA 4.1 (2025) Log: https://www.airtable.com/universe/expy4V9HzRUxtJLvh/rlp-with-dna-research-log-2022 – this base includes example data, for those just starting with Airtable and need to see examples
- RLP with DNA 4.1 (2025) Log Blank: – https://www.airtable.com/universe/expBTSV4y5E0Go4cM/rlp-with-dna-41-2025-blank this base does not include example data, for those experienced with Airtable
Citations Templates
Diana’s Source Citation Templates Google Sheet – make a copy of this and download as an XLSX file so you can upload it to the project knowledge of Claude or ChatGPT.
Nicole’s “Genealogy Source Citations” Custom GPT (privately shared by link, not publicly in the GPT store): https://chatgpt.com/g/g-xUZoMM0ej-genealogy-source-citations
Research Plan Example
View the John Robert Dyer research plan created by Claude with a project and reasoning mode here: https://claude.ai/share/18041c24-dd80-4746-90f0-1f3e254e97f4
Research Report Template
Click the link below to make a copy of the research report template:
Final Research Report Template
Rename the document: “[your name] – Research Report.” Move the file by clicking FILE > MOVE. Select an appropriate location in your Google Drive for the document. You can download the final research report template as a Word document by clicking FILE > DOWNLOAD > MICROSOFT WORD DOCX FILE.