At the start of the New Year, I began playing with AI in terms of general genealogical research usage. I don’t use AI to write any of my posts, nor create any images with it.

However, I was pleased with the response from ChatGPT 4o to my prompt: role: professional genealogist Create a research plan to learn about the daily life and culture of the residents of Udol, Slovakia.

My only concern was that it identified the villagers are predominantly Roman Catholic, when they are 99% Byzantine Catholic, then and now.

In spite of that one misstep, the overall research plan was comprehensive and, if followed, I would know a LOT about the daily lives of my ancestors.

Today, it’s Perplexity.ai’s turn. Same prompt that is highlighted above and here is its answer:

Research Plan for Daily Life and Culture in Udol, Slovakia

Objective

The goal of this research plan is to explore the daily life and cultural practices of the residents of Udol, Slovakia. This includes understanding their traditions, folklore, cuisine, and social customs.

Background Information

Udol, originally a Hungarian name meaning “new residence,” is situated in the Prešov Region of Slovakia. The area is rich in folklore and cultural traditions that reflect its historical influences and geographical context within Central Europe 74.

Research Steps

1. Historical Context
   • Investigate the historical development of Udol, including its origins and any significant events that have shaped its culture.
   • Sources: Local history books, archives, and online databases focusing on Slovak history.
2. Folklore and Traditions
   • Collect information on local folklore, including myths, legends, and traditional stories unique to Udol.
   • Explore regional festivals and events that celebrate these traditions.
   • Sources: Folklore websites, local cultural organizations, and interviews with long-time residents14.
3. Cultural Practices
   • Examine traditional crafts such as woodcarving, pottery, and textile production that are prevalent in the region2.
   • Investigate local music and dance forms, particularly those showcased in festivals like Východná45.
   • Sources: Cultural heritage organizations and local artisans.
4. Daily Life
   • Analyze the daily routines of Udol’s residents, including work, family life, and community interactions.
   • Explore the impact of agriculture and local industries on daily life.
   • Sources: Ethnographic studies, interviews with locals, and sociological research papers.
5. Culinary Traditions
   • Document traditional Slovak dishes commonly prepared in Udol, focusing on ingredients sourced locally.
   • Investigate how Slovak cuisine has been influenced by neighboring cultures (e.g., Hungarian and German) and any unique local variations.
   • Sources: Cookbooks focused on Slovak cuisine, interviews with local chefs or home cooks.
6. Religious Influences
   • Explore the role of religion in daily life, particularly the influence of Catholicism on community events and personal practices.
   • Document any specific religious festivals or rituals celebrated in Udol.
   • Sources: Church records, interviews with clergy, and community members.
7. Modern Influences
   • Assess how modernity has affected traditional practices in Udol. This includes changes due to globalization or migration patterns.
   • Sources: Academic journals on cultural studies and contemporary Slovak society.

Methodology

• Interviews: Conduct interviews with local historians, cultural practitioners, and residents to gather firsthand accounts of daily life.
• Field Research: Plan visits to Udol to observe cultural practices during festivals or community gatherings.
• Literature Review: Review existing literature on Slovak culture, focusing on ethnographic studies that include Udol or similar villages.

Timeline

• Weeks 1-2: Gather historical context and folklore information.
• Weeks 3-4: Focus on cultural practices and daily life analysis.
• Weeks 5-6: Document culinary traditions and religious influences.
• Weeks 7-8: Analyze modern influences on traditional practices.

Conclusion

This research plan aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the daily life and culture of Udol’s residents by utilizing a variety of sources and methodologies. Engaging with the community through interviews and fieldwork will be crucial for capturing the essence of their cultural identity.

In addition, Perplexity identifies its sources, which I live. There were 10 sources cited for this prompt:

Plus, there was some additional information about religion:

The residents of Udol, Slovakia, primarily belong to the Greek Catholic Church, specifically the Slovak Greek Catholic Church, which is part of the Eastern Catholic Churches. This community is predominantly of Carpatho-Rusyn ethnicity, reflecting a rich cultural and religious heritage that has persisted through various historical changes in the region13. In addition to the Greek Catholic presence, there is also a small Orthodox community in Udol, which has its own church dedicated to Saint Dimitry, consecrated in 20043. Overall, while Slovakia is largely a Catholic country—with about 62% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic or Greek Catholic—Udol’s unique ethnic background contributes to its distinct religious landscape45.

While ChatGPT included references to census and church records to learn more about the people, no reference is made to either in Perplexity’s research plan.

On the other hand, Perplexity not only identified Udol as a Greek /Byzantine Catholic community, it recognized that its residents were Carpatho-Rusyns.

I would be remiss in not mentioning that further research suggestions were provided, but my focus with this “test” was to determine how well constructed the stand-alone plan was.

Because church records and censuses are the only extant records to identify 19th century ancestors and Perplexity didn’t even mention their existence aside from a two-word mention while interviewing the village priest, I’d have to give an A- to this bot, too. Perplexity’s strength was in its excellent details that would really focus on the village culture.

How would I use this information? I’d create my own research plan, combining all suggestions given by ChatGPT AND Perplexity to create a nearly perfect research plan that fits with my original prompt.