Digital Genealogy Communities & the Emerging Tech That Connects Us: This project explores how genealogists use emerging technologies to navigate, interpret, and personalize historical data. Drawing on coursework in information behavior and hands-on experience at the Hill Aerospace Museum, the project merges academic research with real-world application. 

Annette designed an infographic-style poster that maps the information-seeking behavior of genealogists—highlighting key motivations, tools, and challenges. This framework informed the development of a Fold3 military records kiosk, where she applied AI (ChatGPT) to simplify search prompts and military terminology for public users and volunteers. A narrated video is in development to visually explain the research-to-design process. Key Tools & Concepts: AI-assisted search optimization; Information-seeking behavior theory; Genealogy platforms (Fold3, Ancestry, FamilySearch); Interactive kiosk interface design; Infographic and video-based learning artifacts; Volunteer instruction workflows.

Impact: This project enhances public engagement with archival military records, supports self-directed learning, and demonstrates how emerging technologies can make genealogical research more accessible, inclusive, and personally meaningful.  View the video on YouTube.

Annette (Nettie) Unrau is an MLIS student at San José State University focused on archives, digital access, and public history. She contributes to projects at the Bountiful Davis Art Center and the Hill Aerospace Museum, with a passion for preserving stories through technology and community engagement.