Blog

(If you have an RSS reader, scroll to the bottom.)

Do you listen to podcasts with an app, instead of visiting their websites? Much better, right?

Well, you can also follow your favorite websites, newsletters, and YouTube channels the same way.

The technology to subscribe to your favorite things is called RSS. It's over 25 years old. If you're listening to podcasts, you're already using RSS. You could use it more.

Try an RSS reader, also called a feed reader. There are lots of options.

I currently use Feedbin. I've been a happy customer for 13 years. It runs in the browser, so I can sign in from anywhere.

Before Feedbin I used NetNewsWire, which is a free Mac/iOS app.

In the past, I also used Google Reader, which was discontinued in 2013. Genealogists can appreciate that there are obituaries for Google's discontinued services.

To learn more, watch a YouTube video on "RSS readers", ask your favorite AI, or watch my most recent webinar on Legacy Family Tree Webinars: Never miss your favorite genealogists' latest posts and videos using RSS (subscription required).

Here is a compilation of over 180 genealogy sources, including 60 YouTube channels. In your RSS reader, choose "Import" and pick this file: genealogy-feeds.opml. OPML is the standard format for sharing feeds.

Kathryn Grant presented this class at the BYU Library Family History Center on July 23, 2026.

Her presentation explains the features of Goldie May and how it can help organize and streamline your family history research.

It's been a long time!

Our biggest news: my wife Hilary delivered a baby boy two months ago. We're excited and grateful.

As such, I've been slow to respond to emails. If I missed anything, please let me know!

Recent podcasts & videos

• Research Like a Pro 406: "Goldie May's New AI Tool" — Also discussing AI in general, it was a lot of fun talking with Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer.
• "Find historical places near you using a hidden feature of Wikipedia" — No Goldie May at all, this was a short tech presentation at Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
• Miles Meyer's interview at our RootsTech booth

Product updates

• WikiTree support. Open the Subway Map and navigate to any WikiTree profile to see the data plotted. You can now compare the same ancestor across FamilySearch, Ancestry, and WikiTree.
• The project and research log fields are now auto-saved.
• (Subscribers only) The tool to identify DNA matches in your FamilySearch Tree, now called "Collateral Names", is back. A 5-minute video shows you how to use the FamilySearch Tree with DNA matches.

Outside of Goldie May

• Lisa Louise Cooke on Time and Place: This principle of focusing on time and place is right where Goldie May is trying to be.
• A new Internet Archive in Switzerland will begin archiving historical records.

Best wishes,
Richard

I presented "Find historical places near you using a hidden feature of Wikipedia" at Legacy Family Tree Webinars on June 12, 2026.

Whether on a roadtrip, traveling abroad, or just walking around near home, you can open Wikipedia on your phone to find historical places near you. This feature is not readily seen on your computer but you'll find it quickly on your phone, leading you to interesting places nearby.

No Goldie May at all — this was a short tech presentation.

I joined Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer on Research Like a Pro episode 406 to discuss Goldie May's new AI tool, and how AI helps genealogy more generally.

It was a lot of fun talking with them.

We're at RootsTech this week and love seeing many of you. To keep everyone in the loop, here's a short video on the latest updates: New genealogy AI features announced this week at RootsTech 2026.

• One-click transcription with Gemini
• Attach ANY source to the FamilySearch Tree (powered by AI)
• Use Goldie May with RootsMagic, Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree Maker, or Ancestral Quest via Tree Crossing
• Use Claude or Gemini on Goldie May with zero data retention, reinforced in the privacy policy

Today I joined others at the RootsTech Innovation and Tech Forum, demoing the Goldie May AI assistant.

Best wishes,
Richard

I joined the RootsTech Innovation and Tech Forum on March 6, 2026, demoing the Goldie May AI assistant.

In FamilySearch's words, the forum is where "industry innovators gather to reveal the latest developments created to simplify your family discovery experience." The session was streamed and recorded.

This RootsTech 2026 recap covers one-click transcription with Gemini, attaching any source to the FamilySearch Tree, and using Goldie May with RootsMagic, Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree Maker, or Ancestral Quest via Tree Crossing.

It closes with the privacy policy, including zero data retention when using Claude or Gemini on Goldie May.

Tree Crossing Integration

You can now connect your Tree Crossing account to Goldie May! Once connected, Tree Crossing persons show up on the Subway Map with their life events plotted alongside your FamilySearch data. You can navigate between relatives — click a parent, spouse, or child to add them to the map and explore the family visually.

Your AI research assistant can also search and read Tree Crossing profiles directly during a chat, giving you another data source without leaving Goldie May.

To get started, visit your Account page and click "Connect Tree Crossing."

GPT-5 Now Available

We've added GPT-5 and GPT-5 Mini to the AI model lineup. GPT-5 Mini is now the default model for new research chats — it's fast and capable for everyday genealogy questions. GPT-5 is available when you need more depth. You can still switch to any model (Claude, Gemini, and more) from the model picker when starting a chat.

Clearer Model Pricing

The model picker now shows a 5-star pricing guide so you can see at a glance which models cost more credits and choose the right balance of power and cost for your research.

RootsTech 2026

We always love seeing you at RootsTech! Join us for any of the following.

• The Innovation and Tech Forum. Friday, March 6, 9:30am (GMT-7). Streamed and recorded
• In-person class: Your AI Research Partner: A Live Demo of Genealogy AI That Actually Reaches the Records. Thursday, March 5, 1:30pm, room 155D.
• Exhibit Hall: Booth 312.

One of my favorite parts of RootsTech is available online: Relatives at RootsTech

Mentions of Goldie May

Genealogy's Star: Goldie May AI will supercharge your genealogy research

The landscape of genealogy is shifting under our feet once again, and this time, the catalyst is the integration of specialized Artificial Intelligence. I recently spent time analyzing a significant video demonstration regarding the Goldie May AI assistant, and it is clear that we are moving past the "novelty" phase of AI into a period of high-utility application.

GenFriends: New AI Feature on Goldie May with Richard Miller

Genealogy Gems: "... it really is something and it's a wonderful addition..."

Product updates

• Chats with the AI assistant should now be more resilient to interruptions and errors.
• Tasks now work with links. Write the text in square brackets and the URL in parentheses (round brackets), as shown below.

[Genealogy Gems](https://lisalouisecooke.com/)

Videos

• AI just changed how much genealogy you can get done
• The FULL, raw look at Goldie May's AI assistant for genealogists

Outside of Goldie May

• If you're using ChatGPT outside of Goldie May — not needed with Goldie May! — here's the best link to request no training on your content: https://privacy.openai.com/policies?modal=take-control
• Seth Godin has an optimistic view of where the high points of AI may go.

Best wishes,
Richard