Can AI Fix a Faded Family Tree?

(Spoiler Alert: Only with a Human Touch)

When Siobhan first reached out to us, she had a challenge that would make any family historian pause: an heirloom family tree—handwritten on paper, weathered, and nearly impossible to read. It held generations of her Irish heritage, but the ink had faded, and the tape had obscured the writing into mystery.

Original family tree

Could we rescue it? Make it legible without losing its charm? Could we preserve the past without erasing it?

We said yes. And then, as an experiment, I ran it through ChatGPT. (Because... curiosity.)

Well—let’s just say AI had opinions. According to the bot, Siobhan was apparently descended from the Plantagenets. Lovely idea, but...not true. AI had fabricated a noble lineage out of thin air. Fascinating, but not exactly helpful.

ChatGPT version

Thankfully, Rick—our resident Photoshop magician—stepped in with both skill and soul. Using a blend of technical and artistic precision (plus a dash of AI where it actually helps), he brought the tree back to life. The result? A beautifully preserved version that retained its original spirit—just now readable.

Final restored version

Here’s what Siobhan had to say seeing the restored piece:

What This Project Teaches Us

Storytelling is a human thing.

Yes, AI can assist—cleaning up, enhancing, even offering ideas. But when it comes to family history, truth matters more than data.

Because your legacy isn’t just names and dates—it’s meaning. And that’s something only human hands and hearts can preserve.

Want help preserving your own family heirlooms—photos, letters, trees, or tapes?
Visit Pixorium.com to learn more about our high-resolution scanning, image restoration, and custom legacy book services. We combine careful tech with even more careful listening - that’s sharing with soul.