I had read Steve Little’s post about his AI GRA (Genealogy Research Assistant), but not being very technologically adventurous, I wisely waited for Randy Seaver to write about his experience.

From his template, I created my prompt regarding Elsee Larrison, as I am currently deep in the Larrison BSO rabbit hole, trying to uncover documents that would prove the relationship of most of the Larrisons to each other.

One of my first roadblacks is proving the parentage of Elsee Larrison, born c1764, reportedly in Pennsylvania per the 1880 census entry of her youngest child, Richard Stufflebeam, who married (1) Joseph Ketchum and had one son with him (2) John Stufflebean, August 1795, Bourbon County, Kentucky.

Bourbon County was a long way from a Pennsylvania birthplace in the 18th century! However, one George Larrison settled in the same area and he was of an age to be Elsee’s brother.

Furthermore, George Larrison and Abigail Moone, of New Jersey, were of an age to be their parents AND family lore stated that this couple moved westward in the 1700s.

That set the parameters for me prompt, based on Randy’s format:

I can’t find any records for the parents of my husband’s 4th great grandmother, Elsee Larrison, who married (1) Joseph Ketchum and (2) John Stufflebean in Bourbon County, Kentucky in 1795. Elsee was born about 1764, reportedly in Pennsylvania. Please provide a research plan for me to find Elsee’s parents’ names and their link back to the Larrisons who settled in New Jersey in the 1700s.

ChatGPT’s response:

This sounds like a fascinating challenge! To trace Elsee Larrison’s parents and establish a link back to the Larrisons who settled in New Jersey, we’ll need to approach it step by step and explore both Elsee’s immediate family and potential connections to earlier generations of Larrisons in New Jersey.

Here’s a detailed research plan that can help guide you through this process:

Research Plan for Elsee Larrison’s Parents and New Jersey Origins

1. Start with Known Information:

• Dates and Locations: Elsee was reportedly born around 1764 in Pennsylvania. This is a critical clue. Bourbon County, Kentucky, where Elsee lived, is important too, but we first need to confirm where she was born in Pennsylvania and establish any known family connections in the area.
• Marriage Records: You know that Elsee married first Joseph Ketchum and then John Stufflebean in Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1795. Try to locate the marriage records for both unions as these could include details like Elsee’s age, maiden name, or even names of witnesses (who might be relatives).
• Census Records: If available, check Kentucky’s early tax or census records for any information about Elsee’s family or her association with local families. Since Elsee was born around 1764, census records for her and her spouses might not have been recorded until later (i.e., after 1790).

2. Explore Land and Tax Records in Kentucky:

• Land Grants and Deeds: Elsee’s land transactions might give you a clue about her family or her connections to neighbors. Start with looking at any land records for Joseph Ketchum and John Stufflebean. These documents could include information on other family members, possibly Elsee’s siblings, and the family may have shared land or business dealings that mention her maiden name.
• Tax Records: Bourbon County, Kentucky, would have early tax records which could list Elsee’s name (under her husband’s household). These may indicate her age or provide additional clues to her family connections.

Investigate Church and Burial Records:

• Church Records: Try to locate early church records for Bourbon County. Even though many early church records did not always include maiden names, there may be baptismal or burial records that reference Elsee’s parents or provide clues to her family’s identity.
• Cemetery Records: If you know where Elsee is buried, search for her gravestone or nearby family members. Sometimes gravestones include familial connections or maiden names, which can provide clues.

4. Investigate Pennsylvania Connections:

• Locate Elsee’s Birthplace in Pennsylvania: Since Elsee was reportedly born in Pennsylvania, it’s important to narrow down where she may have lived. Look for early Larrison families in Pennsylvania, especially those who might have been in the area before Elsee moved to Kentucky.
• Look for Larrisons in Pennsylvania: Check early colonial records for the Larrison surname in Pennsylvania. If the Larrisons were settled there in the mid-1700s, you might find records in early church baptismal or land records in Pennsylvania. The Larrisons in New Jersey may have family branches that migrated into Pennsylvania.
• Larrison Families in Pennsylvania: A search in Pennsylvania genealogical records, such as local county histories or immigration records, might also help uncover the Larrison family connections.

Examine Larrison Family Origins in New Jersey:

• Early Larrison Settlers in New Jersey: Research Larrisons who settled in New Jersey in the 1700s. There might be an existing family history or published genealogy about the Larrisons of New Jersey, especially if they were notable in the region. They could have been involved in local events, business, or even politics.
• Genealogical Societies: Consider reaching out to New Jersey genealogical societies or historical societies. Some of them may have family trees or research on the Larrison family.
• Family Wills and Estates: Investigate wills, estate records, or land deeds of Larrisons in New Jersey, which could name Elsee as a descendant or relative. If there are any wills from Larrisons in the 1700s, they may mention Elsee or provide information about her parents or grandparents.

6. Look for Connections Between New Jersey and Pennsylvania:

• Migration Patterns: Look at migration patterns of Larrison families from New Jersey to Pennsylvania. Many families migrated westward during the 18th century, so it’s possible that Elsee’s family moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, and later from Pennsylvania to Kentucky.
• Larrison Family Associations: Search for any Larrison family associations, reunions, or published genealogies that cover both New Jersey and Pennsylvania lines. There might be genealogical works or books that document early Larrison families across multiple states, including Pennsylvania.

DNA Testing:

• DNA Connections: If you haven’t done so already, DNA testing could be a key tool. It may help you connect with other descendants of Larrison families in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. Start by testing with AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or FamilyTreeDNA to identify genetic matches who might have information about Elsee’s family.
• Y-DNA and mtDNA: If you can find male relatives with the Larrison surname (possibly descendants of Elsee’s brothers or other male Larrisons in the family), Y-DNA testing could confirm a direct male-line connection to the New Jersey Larrisons. If you’re researching Elsee’s maternal side, mtDNA could also provide insights.

8. Look for Local Histories or Published Genealogies:

• Bourbon County History: Investigate the history of Bourbon County, Kentucky, and any published genealogies. There could be local histories or genealogical works that mention Elsee or her family, or at least provide information on her spouses and their background.
• Genealogical Books: Check if any genealogical books mention the Larrison surname in connection with Kentucky or New Jersey. Many family lines have been compiled into books or articles, and these can sometimes provide missing connections.

Step-by-Step Execution:

1. Marriage and Land Records in Bourbon County, KY: These will likely yield the first direct clues. Search marriage records, tax records, and any associated land transactions for Joseph Ketchum and John Stufflebean.
2. Research Larrisons in Pennsylvania: Find out more about early Larrisons in Pennsylvania. Search for local archives, church records, or genealogies.
3. Look for Larrison Families in New Jersey: Research the Larrison family in New Jersey in the 1700s, especially focusing on any well-documented lines.
4. DNA Testing: If you haven’t already, test for DNA connections to expand your family network and confirm matches that could provide family details.

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Additional Resources:

• Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission: They have resources for early Pennsylvania families and could help with Larrison connections.
• New Jersey Historical Society: They may have genealogical resources on early New Jersey families, including the Larrisons.
• Ancestry.com and FamilySearch: Utilize these platforms for searching marriage records, census data, and family trees. Connecting with other descendants might give you additional clues.

This is a challenging but exciting task, and it will require persistence. Each new clue can open doors to further discoveries. If you find any new leads or need help interpreting documents, feel free to reach out!

I have already done much of what is recommended and am in the midst of others, such as compiling data on Larrisons in the United States from the 1600s to about 1825.

Unfortunately, there is no Larrison DNA surname project, but I have contacted some of my husband’s matches who have Larrison in their surname lists.

I am impressed with this AI generated research plan that uses Steve Little’s GRA. If I were less experienced or starting to research in a new-to-me locale, this research plan would be extremely useful to me.

Thank you to both Steve Little and Randy Seaver for leading the way with AI tools for genealogy research!