autoresearch-genealogy

What This Skill Does

autoresearch-genealogy is a comprehensive, structured system designed to streamline the complex task of genealogical research using AI-assisted agents like Claude Code. This skill provides a professional-grade framework that moves beyond casual searches to create a systematic, evidence-based family history. It includes 12 specialized prompts that enable an agent to perform autonomous web searches, verify data against known records, and maintain a rigorous chain of evidence. Beyond the prompts, the skill includes a 19-file Obsidian vault starter kit that functions as your research laboratory, complete with standardized YAML frontmatter for consistency across your records. It also features 24 regional archive guides, 9 methodology documents covering DNA analysis and source hierarchy, and 7 operational workflows for tasks like OCR processing and conflict resolution. This project is ideal for both professional genealogists and enthusiasts who want to leverage autonomous AI agents to scale their research capabilities without sacrificing accuracy or data integrity.

Installation

To install this skill, run the following command in your terminal using the OpenClaw environment:

clawhub install openclaw/skills/skills/adisinghstudent/autoresearch-genealogy

No external packages or API keys are required for the framework itself, as it is a pure markdown and prompt-based system. Once installed, copy the contents of the vault-template/ directory into your existing Obsidian vault or any local folder where you intend to manage your research data.

Use Cases

• Automated Lineage Expansion: Using agent loops to query ancestry databases for missing census or vital records.
• Conflict Resolution: Utilizing the 'discrepancy resolution' workflow to reconcile conflicting birth or death dates found in different secondary sources.
• Evidence Management: Implementing the 'source hierarchy' methodology to tag and categorize documentation based on primary vs. secondary reliability.
• Archive Navigation: Utilizing country-specific research guides to find regional records for specific ancestral origins like Eastern Europe or the Americas.

Example Prompts

1. "OpenClaw, execute the tree-expansion prompt on the 'Robert Smith' entry in my Family_Tree.md file and check for 1920 census matches."
2. "Use the cross-reference-audit tool to compare the birth location stated in the baptism record with the 1930 immigration manifest in my vault."
3. "Run the OCR pipeline for the folder 'newly-scanned-documents' and extract names, dates, and locations into the appropriate vault templates."

Tips & Limitations

• Verification is Key: AI agents may hallucinate record connections; always treat the output of an 'autoresearch' prompt as a lead to be manually verified against primary sources.
• Privacy: Be cautious when using cloud-based AI to analyze living relatives' data. Use the provided 'DNA guardrails' methodology to ensure sensitive information remains protected.
• Vault Maintenance: Maintain your Research_Log.md consistently. The more structured your input, the more accurate the AI's autonomous research loops will be.