September 19th, 2026 Meeting
Staggs Community Room
Huntsville Public Library
10:30 AM
Sherri Taggart Ahmadzadeh
Sherri Taggart Ahmadzadeh is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA research, artificial intelligence applications for family history, and Southern repositories and records. She holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and the National Genealogical Society. Her research has contributed to the PBS series Finding Your Roots. Before founding Family Tree Tracer, LLC, Sherri's career in marketing and communications, including work at NASA in Houston, taught her to translate complex concepts into accessible, actionable guidance for diverse audiences. Sherri has presented to genealogical societies including the Texas State Genealogical Society (TSGS) and Central Texas Genealogical Society (CTGS), where she developed beginner-friendly presentations on leveraging AI for genealogical research. As a former board member of CTGS, she currently leads the society's monthly AI Special Interest Group, helping researchers navigate the intersection of traditional research methods and emerging technologies. Her presentations blend practical demonstrations with hands-on learning opportunities, making complex tools accessible to researchers at all experience levels. With a focus on making technology approachable rather than intimidating, Sherri creates interactive sessions that meet audiences where they are, from researchers who are just beginning to explore digital tools to early adopters seeking to refine their methodology. A native Texan now based in Waco, Sherri's own genealogical journey began in 1982 with family stories shared by her grandmother, a passion that continues to drive her work today.
Genealogy Meets AI: Uncovering the Past With the Future
Curious about AI but not sure where to start? You’re not alone, and this program was built for exactly that feeling.
The Walker County Genealogical Society welcomes professional genealogist and AI speaker Sherri Ahmadzadeh of The Family Tree Tracer, LLC for a program open to the public. She’ll show us what AI can actually do for family history research, using free tools that are more accessible than you might expect.
You’ll see AI put to work on the kinds of tasks genealogists face every day: transcribing handwritten and hard-to-read documents, translating foreign-language records, summarizing lengthy wills and court cases, building timelines from pension files, and even drafting a life sketch from a handful of facts. Sherri will also walk through what AI gets wrong, and why knowing its limits is just as valuable as knowing its strengths.
This is not a technical workshop and no prior experience is required. It’s a practical, plain-spoken look at tools you can try for free the same day, and a chance to decide for yourself whether AI has a place in your research. You just might leave ready to give it a shot.