Free AI Tools to KICK START Writing Your Family History (The Rest is Up to YOU)

Devon Noel Lee
May 1
3 min read

Updated: May 4

Want to use AI for your family history writing—without letting it take over? In this video, I’ll show you 3 free AI tools that help you brainstorm, structure, and kick off your story. Perfect for genealogists who want to draft faster without sacrificing quality.

✅ Storied.com’s StoryAssist

✅ ChatGPT

✅ Google & Microsoft AI writing helpers

Remember, AI is an assist—not the author. You bring the voice and the research.

💬 Got a question about writing with AI? Drop it in the comments!

As you know, AI is growing in industry and genealogy. So, when it comes to writing a non-boring family history, Julie asked a great follow-up question:

"What good free AI sites are there for fleshing out your story?"

A book titled "Puesecker Lineage" with a tree illustration sits among potted plants. The cover features intricate border designs.

Now, AI is great for getting started, brainstorming ideas, or helping with some initial draft structure. But when it comes to fleshing out the meat of your story—that’s a very manual process. AI is an assist, not the whole game. Let’s dive into some of the free tools you can use!

Free AI Tools to Kickstart Your Writing

I promised 3 Free AI Tools to help you write your family history, but the list shows 4. Why? Well, because 3 & 4 will depend on the writing platform you're currently using. So, they really count as 1, don't you think?

Storied.com- Check out Storied with its StoryAssist feature. This tool can help you get started on your family history stories with some initial prompts and structure. It's free and great for generating ideas or starting a draft.
ChatGPT- Of course, I have to mention ChatGPT! You can use it to brainstorm, come up with creative ideas, or even help you organize your story. Just remember—it’s best for getting ideas on paper, but you’ll need to review everything for accuracy.
Google Docs AI Writing Assistant - If you’re working in Google Docs, they have their own AI tool integrated now. It’s helpful for drafting and editing your text but won’t do all the creative heavy lifting for you. It’s a great tool to assist your process, though!
Microsoft Office AI Writing Assistant - Microsoft Office has also joined the AI scene with its own writing assistant tool in Word. It’s another option to help streamline your writing, but again, it won’t replace your unique voice or the research you need to do for fleshing out your family stories.

AI’s Role in Fleshing Out Stories

Here’s the thing—AI can assist, but fleshing out your family history story? That’s still your job. Think of these tools as your writing partner: they’ll help you with structure, questions, or ideas, but they won’t fill in all the gaps.

Use AI to ask questions like:

What events or details should I include in a chapter?
What emotions might my ancestors have felt at that time?
How might I describe the setting of a particular event?

But then, you will need to go deeper, research, and add your own details. And be sure to double-check sources. AI can sometimes “make things up” or get things wrong, so never skip that research step.

Hands typing on a laptop in a cozy room with a teal cup. Text reads: "Learn how to quickly write your family history. Get Started."

AI Family History Writing Takeaway

AI is a fantastic assist for fleshing out your story, but it’s not the whole package. Use it for ideas, structure, and brainstorming, but always remember to do the manual work yourself to add the heart and soul of your family history.

If you have more questions on integrating AI into your writing process, drop a question in the comments section!