Bryna O'Sullivan
@charteroakgen.bsky.social
Historian, genealogist, and genealogical translator, specializing in French to English translation, Connecticut history and genealogy, and lineage society applications.
Was one of your #Connecticut ancestors "warned out"? (I've never actually seen records of it happening and am curious!)
connecticutroots.org/2023/03/02/d... #genealogy #ancestry #familyhistory
connecticutroots.org/2023/03/02/d... #genealogy #ancestry #familyhistory
Did Connecticut warn out?
If you’ve studied colonial New England genealogy, you’ve probably heard about the practice of “warning out”. “Warning out” was a practice in which the town’…
connecticutroots.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Was one of your #Connecticut ancestors "warned out"? (I've never actually seen records of it happening and am curious!)
connecticutroots.org/2023/03/02/d... #genealogy #ancestry #familyhistory
connecticutroots.org/2023/03/02/d... #genealogy #ancestry #familyhistory
Reposted by Bryna O'Sullivan
As someone who gets lots of local history queries, can confirm there's been a big increase in people starting their history research with GenAI/LLM (which just spews out fake facts and hallucinated rubbish) who then wonder why they can't find anything at all to corroborate it.
“AI models not only point some users to false sources but also cause problems for researchers and librarians, who end up wasting their time looking for requested nonexistent records…”
AI Slop Is Spurring Record Requests for Imaginary Journals
The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that artificial intelligence models are making up research papers, journals and archives
www.scientificamerican.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:28 AM
As someone who gets lots of local history queries, can confirm there's been a big increase in people starting their history research with GenAI/LLM (which just spews out fake facts and hallucinated rubbish) who then wonder why they can't find anything at all to corroborate it.
Reposted by Bryna O'Sullivan
250 years ago, Henry Knox led a daring mission to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga back to Boston. He documented his journey in a diary that is one of the treasures of the MHS collection. View the diary in our current exhibit until Dec. 19 or read it online: www.masshist.org/database/463.
December 8, 2025 at 7:47 PM
250 years ago, Henry Knox led a daring mission to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga back to Boston. He documented his journey in a diary that is one of the treasures of the MHS collection. View the diary in our current exhibit until Dec. 19 or read it online: www.masshist.org/database/463.
What questions do you have about finding #Connecticut probate records? #genealogy #familyhistory
(To get started: connecticutroots.org/probate-reco...).
(To get started: connecticutroots.org/probate-reco...).
Probate Records
Step 1: Determine the probate district in which your ancestor lived. Since the late 1700s, Connecticut has used probate districts instead of county or town probate courts. District…
connecticutroots.org
December 8, 2025 at 7:05 PM
What questions do you have about finding #Connecticut probate records? #genealogy #familyhistory
(To get started: connecticutroots.org/probate-reco...).
(To get started: connecticutroots.org/probate-reco...).
Do you have requests for #genealogy program topics related to #Connecticut genealogy, lineage society applications, translation, #French research, historical context, or the American Revolution? I'd love to hear! I'm always looking for new ideas.
December 8, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Do you have requests for #genealogy program topics related to #Connecticut genealogy, lineage society applications, translation, #French research, historical context, or the American Revolution? I'd love to hear! I'm always looking for new ideas.
One of the best pieces of advice I can offer for #translation is "learn the boilerplate." If you learn certain common phrases, you'll be better able to work with the record. How do you start?
FamilySearch genealogical word lists can be a great option. #genealogy #ancestry #familyhistory
FamilySearch genealogical word lists can be a great option. #genealogy #ancestry #familyhistory
French Genealogical Word List
This list contains French words with their English translations. The words included here are those you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a French-English dictionary. (See the "Additional Resources" section below.)
www.familysearch.org
December 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
One of the best pieces of advice I can offer for #translation is "learn the boilerplate." If you learn certain common phrases, you'll be better able to work with the record. How do you start?
FamilySearch genealogical word lists can be a great option. #genealogy #ancestry #familyhistory
FamilySearch genealogical word lists can be a great option. #genealogy #ancestry #familyhistory
Sponsor signatures can be of the major roadblocks to lineage applications getting turned in. #genealogy #familyhistory
Plan to avoid issues: sponsor signatures
One of the major roadblocks to submitting a lineage society application: sponsor signatures. While it’s becoming less common, a few societies still require that sponsors sign the application.…
charteroakgenealogy.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Sponsor signatures can be of the major roadblocks to lineage applications getting turned in. #genealogy #familyhistory
Great post shared by @atanet.org. It raises a crucial question: if #AI #translation is unreliable, does it actually have value? #genealogy #familyhistory
The Value of Human Translation - American Translators Association (ATA)
What is the value of human translation in an AI world? Learn about this and see examples in this ATA Compass article.
www.atanet.org
December 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Great post shared by @atanet.org. It raises a crucial question: if #AI #translation is unreliable, does it actually have value? #genealogy #familyhistory
Reposted by Bryna O'Sullivan
Les biscuits sont prêts pour le jour dit.
#SaintNicolas
#SaintNicolas
December 6, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Les biscuits sont prêts pour le jour dit.
#SaintNicolas
#SaintNicolas
#genealogy #translation
I've lost track of how often I've heard genealogists explain that they just use #AI to "get the gist" and names and dates. I just ran one of my sporadic tests of a document. It was okay. Except all the names and the deceased's age were wrong.
I've lost track of how often I've heard genealogists explain that they just use #AI to "get the gist" and names and dates. I just ran one of my sporadic tests of a document. It was okay. Except all the names and the deceased's age were wrong.
December 6, 2025 at 12:43 AM
#genealogy #translation
I've lost track of how often I've heard genealogists explain that they just use #AI to "get the gist" and names and dates. I just ran one of my sporadic tests of a document. It was okay. Except all the names and the deceased's age were wrong.
I've lost track of how often I've heard genealogists explain that they just use #AI to "get the gist" and names and dates. I just ran one of my sporadic tests of a document. It was okay. Except all the names and the deceased's age were wrong.
The fun part about translating #genealogy records is all the occupations you didn't learn in #French class...
"Cordier"? Rope maker. "Bouchonnier"? Cork stoppers.
#translation
"Cordier"? Rope maker. "Bouchonnier"? Cork stoppers.
#translation
December 5, 2025 at 11:25 PM
The fun part about translating #genealogy records is all the occupations you didn't learn in #French class...
"Cordier"? Rope maker. "Bouchonnier"? Cork stoppers.
#translation
"Cordier"? Rope maker. "Bouchonnier"? Cork stoppers.
#translation
Did you know you might be able to use your verified lineage society application to join another society? #genealogy #familyhistory #ancestry
charteroakgenealogy.com/2023/10/10/t...
charteroakgenealogy.com/2023/10/10/t...
Tips for Using Your Prior Application to Join Another Society
This has been a popular request lately! You joined one lineage society and now you’d like to join another. Is there anything you can do make it easier? When you submit your original applicati…
charteroakgenealogy.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Did you know you might be able to use your verified lineage society application to join another society? #genealogy #familyhistory #ancestry
charteroakgenealogy.com/2023/10/10/t...
charteroakgenealogy.com/2023/10/10/t...
Reposted by Bryna O'Sullivan
Thanks to our friends at @reclaimtherecords.org, the index of deaths in New York State from 1880-2017 is now public! #Genealogy #FamilyHistory Reclaim built an innovative database featuring natural language search & more. My search took a nanosecond: climbingmyfamilytree.blogspot.com/2025/12/sear...
Searching Reclaim the Records' New York State Death Index
Genealogy research and commentary by Marian Burk Wood, speaker and author of "Planning a Future for Your Family's Past," available from Amazon.com.
climbingmyfamilytree.blogspot.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Thanks to our friends at @reclaimtherecords.org, the index of deaths in New York State from 1880-2017 is now public! #Genealogy #FamilyHistory Reclaim built an innovative database featuring natural language search & more. My search took a nanosecond: climbingmyfamilytree.blogspot.com/2025/12/sear...
The Middlefield #Connecticut Historical Society is asking for donations on "Giving Tuesday." For those with ancestors from the area, one of the Historical Society's projects is the care of Old North Cemetery. 1/2 #genealogy #familyhistory
December 2, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The Middlefield #Connecticut Historical Society is asking for donations on "Giving Tuesday." For those with ancestors from the area, one of the Historical Society's projects is the care of Old North Cemetery. 1/2 #genealogy #familyhistory
Why would you need to know #Connecticut town establishment dates?
Many towns were formed by dividing an existing town. In learning when (and where) these divisions occurred, you can learn where to look for records before the division. libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/cttowns #genealogy
Many towns were formed by dividing an existing town. In learning when (and where) these divisions occurred, you can learn where to look for records before the division. libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/cttowns #genealogy
LibGuides Home: Connecticut Towns & Counties: Home
Displays Connecticut towns and the year of their establishment.
libguides.ctstatelibrary.org
November 29, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Why would you need to know #Connecticut town establishment dates?
Many towns were formed by dividing an existing town. In learning when (and where) these divisions occurred, you can learn where to look for records before the division. libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/cttowns #genealogy
Many towns were formed by dividing an existing town. In learning when (and where) these divisions occurred, you can learn where to look for records before the division. libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/cttowns #genealogy
Try to use an HTR program to check a word I'm having a hard time transcribing. Get gibberish.
Are these programs just better trained for certain languages or is my experience common? #genealogy #translation
Are these programs just better trained for certain languages or is my experience common? #genealogy #translation
November 27, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Try to use an HTR program to check a word I'm having a hard time transcribing. Get gibberish.
Are these programs just better trained for certain languages or is my experience common? #genealogy #translation
Are these programs just better trained for certain languages or is my experience common? #genealogy #translation
1938 Thanksgiving Proclamation
YouTube video by Connecticut State Library
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Did your #Connecticut ancestor list a place of birth, marriage, or death that doesn't seem to exist on a map? This webpage from the Connecticut Secretary of State can help: portal.ct.gov/sots/registe... #genealogy #ancestry
Towns Villages and Districts with No Post Office of Same Name
portal.ct.gov
November 27, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Did your #Connecticut ancestor list a place of birth, marriage, or death that doesn't seem to exist on a map? This webpage from the Connecticut Secretary of State can help: portal.ct.gov/sots/registe... #genealogy #ancestry
November 26, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by Bryna O'Sullivan
Q: Why does AI re-imagine a photo instead of editing it?
A: It doesn't "restore" your photo — it paints a new one, guessing details from millions of other images. Eye color, skin tone? Fabricated. Always label. Always cite. Illustration, not evidence. #genealogy
A: It doesn't "restore" your photo — it paints a new one, guessing details from millions of other images. Eye color, skin tone? Fabricated. Always label. Always cite. Illustration, not evidence. #genealogy
November 24, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Q: Why does AI re-imagine a photo instead of editing it?
A: It doesn't "restore" your photo — it paints a new one, guessing details from millions of other images. Eye color, skin tone? Fabricated. Always label. Always cite. Illustration, not evidence. #genealogy
A: It doesn't "restore" your photo — it paints a new one, guessing details from millions of other images. Eye color, skin tone? Fabricated. Always label. Always cite. Illustration, not evidence. #genealogy
I've been getting a lot of use out of a French Republican calendar converter lately! During the French Revolution, the Revolutionaries switched to a different calendar, which can make it a bit challenging if you're trying to store all dates on a Gregorian calendar system. #genealogy #French
The French Republican calendar
Date conversion form between the Gregorian and Revolutionary calendars, covering the entire period when the latter was used in France
www.napoleon-empire.org
November 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I've been getting a lot of use out of a French Republican calendar converter lately! During the French Revolution, the Revolutionaries switched to a different calendar, which can make it a bit challenging if you're trying to store all dates on a Gregorian calendar system. #genealogy #French
Delighted to join the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society on 18 August 2026 for "From New England: Migrations to the Midwest." To register: register.gotowebinar.com/register/786... #genealogy #Wisconsin #familyhistory #ancestry
register.gotowebinar.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Delighted to join the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society on 18 August 2026 for "From New England: Migrations to the Midwest." To register: register.gotowebinar.com/register/786... #genealogy #Wisconsin #familyhistory #ancestry
The Nathan Hale Homestead is planning a Hale family reunion. Details - and mailing list sign up- here: lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/iwkmLoU .
#genealogy #familyhistory #ancestry #Connecticut
#genealogy #familyhistory #ancestry #Connecticut
Sign up to Stay in Touch!
lp.constantcontactpages.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The Nathan Hale Homestead is planning a Hale family reunion. Details - and mailing list sign up- here: lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/iwkmLoU .
#genealogy #familyhistory #ancestry #Connecticut
#genealogy #familyhistory #ancestry #Connecticut
