Extend a family tree two generations with Claude Code and browser agents

Posted

Mar 23, 2026 by Stas Kulesh (@staskulesh)

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Last checked

Oct 16, 2026

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Method:

How we verify

Evidence: Shown on videoThe source includes a video or screen recording of the agent doing the task.

Outcome

Working from the family's archive scans, Claude Code with memory and the Claude browser plugin cross-checked church books, ship manifests and naturalization records, built a 300-page family wiki, and found two more generations in a day; the family is now checking it for errors.

Agent

Claude Code, Claude in Chrome, Perplexity Comet

The source didn't share its exact prompt, so we wrote this from what it describes.

Here's a task I'd like your help with. Read it all the way through before you start.

Goal: Help me extend my family tree using the records I have and public archives, and keep everything traceable to a source.

Check with me first: Who is the earliest ancestor I know, and where did they live?

What I'll give you:
- My existing family tree and any scans or documents
- Names, places and dates I already know

Rules:
- Search public archives (church books, ship manifests, naturalization records) and download the matching scans.
- Only add a person when a document supports it, and cite it.
- Mark uncertain matches clearly instead of guessing.
- Keep everything in one folder I can review.

Output: An organized family wiki with each person linked to their source documents, plus a list of uncertain matches.

You'll know it worked when: each new ancestor is backed by a document my family can check.

Works best when: relatives review the results, since some readings may be wrong.

Here's a task I'd like your help with. Read it all the way through before you start.

Goal: Extend my family tree using my records and public archives, keeping every addition traceable to a source.

Quick check first: tell me if anything below is missing or unclear.

Inputs (fill in or confirm):
- Existing tree and documents
- Earliest known ancestor and place
- Archives I have access to
- Family tree file format (GEDCOM, Ancestry)

Rules:
- Record a source citation for every new person and fact.
- Mark confidence levels; never merge people without two matching facts.
- Prefer original records over user trees.
- Keep a research log.
- Work one branch at a time and confirm before adding the next generation.
- Record negative searches too (where you looked and found nothing).
- Keep living people's details private.
- Mark guesses as unconfirmed.
- Note conflicting records and which you trusted.

If you get stuck: If records conflict, keep both and note it. If a login, CAPTCHA or two-step code appears, stop and ask me to handle it; never guess or store passwords.

Verify before you finish: Re-check each new link's source.

Output: Updated tree file, research log and source list.

Done when: every new person has a cited source.

Source

https://x.com/staskulesh/status/2036173711053651984