GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Genealogy Genie AI with Kelly Bennett

 

This week on GenFriends, Melissa Barker,  Mary Kircher Roddy, and I welcomed Kelly Bennett, creator of Genealogy Genie AI, for a conversation about his tool and how it can become your research companion.

Watch as Kelly walks us through what Genealogy Genie AI can do for you!

Don't forget to use the coupon code below to purchase Genealogy Genie AI and let it help you find things you didn't know you could find!

What can you see this doing for you?

We'd love to hear from you!

Links in this episode:

Web:

https://www.aigroup.digital/

Discount Code (valid until the end of 2026):

GENIE2026

Social (also linked at the bottom of the site):

https://www.youtube.com/@AIGroup.digital

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574982356650

https://www.linkedin.com/company/aigroup-digital

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://ageneaTlogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.com

Jenny Hawran-Like Herding Cats Genealogy

https://like-herding-cats.com/

Laura Hedgecock-Treasure Chest of Memories

https://treasurechestofmemories.com/

Mary Kircher Roddy-MKR Genealogy

https://www.mkrgenealogy.com/

https://appliedgen.institute/

Shelley Murphey-Family Tree Girl

https://familytreegirl.com/

  Thank you so much for watching!

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Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar- Remembering Two Births and Two Deaths

 

May 17~
   Elizabeth Emily (Vaughn) Bradford (1797-1865), my paternal 4th great-grandmother, died 161 years ago in Sumter County, South Carolina, and may have been buried there in the Dargan Cemetery. Many of the graves have been relocated, and at this time, there is no record of her burial.

  

May 18~ 

  My maternal 4th great-grandfather, Philip Roberts, III (1798-1852), was born in Kershaw County, South Carolina, 228 years ago.  His parents were Philip Roberts II (1763-1854) and Sarah (Kirtley) Roberts (1765-1838).

May 20~
 George Philip Roberts (1856-1930), my maternal great-great-grandfather, was born in Richland County, South Carolina, 1704 years ago. He was the fourth child of Thomas Philip Roberts (1830-1893)  and Eliza Atiza (Brazell) Roberts (1836-1890).

May 22~
  This day marks what would have been the 138th birthday of my paternal great-grandfather, Jubal Ransom Early (1888-1964). Jubal was born in Statesville, Iredell, North Carolina, to Ransom Taylor Early (1829-1888) and Ellen Caroline (Martin) Early (1850-1926).

Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Paying the Lunatic Asylum

 

You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.

                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 

This weekly series enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 

Share by scrolling 

down and add your story to the comments section, or you may also put a link to a blog post telling about what had you dancing this week.

"Richland, South Carolina, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-V1BK-G?view=explore : May 17, 2026), image 941 of 1592; South Carolina. County Court (Richland County). Image Group Number: 004753577

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

Taking a new look at a document I found years ago led me to a shocking discovery. 

My maternal third great-grandfather, Thomas Philip Roberts, died in Richland County, SC, on 2 May, 1893. His will provided for his children, and probate records include an inventory and an annual return in May of 1894.  I have seen the will but must confess that I hadn't really taken the time to look at the rest of the probate papers. What a mistake! Why? Because I found a shocking payment his estate made that year. $52.12 to the Lunatic Asylum. 

 The South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, now known as the South Carolina State Hospital, was established in Columbia in 1821. It is located on Bull Street in Columbia. 

Doing a little research on the hospital to see if any records are available, I discovered that the South Carolina Department of Archives and History has them. Intake books, record files, and other items. There is a project that collects and tells the stories of those who were hospitalized there. Who was the bill for that Thomas was paying? The probate records do not say, but I am hoping to get to the archives and see if I can discover who was there and why.

The moral of the story? Go back over the records you have and see what you may have missed! It may be a story that needs to be told.

What was your happy dance moment?

Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,