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Artificial intelligence (AI) is here for your family photos,
along with photographic history and other resources.  

 

 

  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has stormed the photographic landscape.

Februrary  2026 — PhotoTree.com has embraced AI , when appropriate, to help restore and preserve photographs, images, and documents.

Civil War tintype restored w/AI. (Click image)

More than Restoration

AI treatments can help you create attractive renditions of your family images for framed artwork, greeting cards, and improved reproduction in publishing.  

AI Pencil sketch of 1925 photo. (Click image)

Many examples and how-to tips are offered here that wiil help you navigate the fascinating new tools.

Download Free Prompt Guide

Download our recent Guide to AI Prompts for Image Edits, a two-page PDF guide to help you understand and create productive prompts.  

Explore Galleries and Tips 

  • Technology & Product News
  • Restoration Prompts & Examples
  • Restoration Gallery  
  • Artistic Treatment with AI
  • Painting Gallery
  • Sketching Gallery 
  • PhotoTree Restoration & Art Services 

 

Popular Books in 2026 

 As usual 19th Century Card Photos is the #1 Phototree book this year. Recognized as the expert book on card photos from the 1800s for genealogists, it is a valuable resource for many.

The Cemetery and Gravestone Handbook has quickly become a popular resource in the #2 position. 

Here are the top five:

  1. 19th Century Card Photos
  2. Cemetery and Gravestone Handbook
  3. Cased Images and Tintypes
  4. 20th Century Photographs
  5. Grand Army of the Republic & Union Veteran Research
Books the Way You Want Them
Books from Phototree are recognized as some of the most complete, easiest-to-following resources for vintage photographs. In addition, new works covering a variety of historical periods help place your family history in context to surrounding events. See all these books on the Amazon author page.
Title Printed - Amazon Kindle
Photography Resources    
20th Century Photographs KwikGuide Yes –
19th Century Card Photos KwikGuide Yes –
Cased Images & Tintypes KwikGuide Yes –
Real Picture Postcards KwikGuide Yes –
Photo Restoration KwikGuide Yes –
Archive Photography Yes Yes
Slides and Negatives Yes Yes
Historical Research    
G.A.R. and Union Veteran Research Yes –
Cemetery and Gravestone Handbook Yes –
Shot in the Butt (Available Kindle & iBook) – Yes
Teenage Soldier Yes –
Lessons From The Gibson Girl Yes –
Cruel Irony Yes Yes
Write a Captivating Family History Yes Yes
FUBAR 2.0 Yes Yes

News and Resources

New Book Released:

Ulster to Kansas – A 400 Year Journey.  The latest book by Gary W. Clark, released October 8, 2025, chronicels the Clark family from the early 1600s in Ulster, Northern Ireland to the Kansas plains in the 20th century.   

Click here to see a preview!

2026 Genealogy Events  

  • Feb - May SLIG Spring Virtual
  • Mar 5 - 7 Roots Tech, Salt Lake City
  • May 27 - 30 NGS Conf. Ft. Wayne, IN 

Conference Keeper- Comprehensive Calendar of Genealogy Events

Photo Restoration

Gary Clark has over 30 years photo editng, and restoration experience. Using state-of-art digital tools including powerful AI. Old and damaged photographs can usually be brought back to an accurate and pleasing look. Click to see the possiblities.

Northern Ireland Genealogy Trip

I recently visited Ulster (Northern Ireland) for genealogy research and fun tourist stuff. This trip contributed invaluable content to my recent book Ulster to Kansas. See all the photos on my Flickr Albums.

Gravestone Cleaning Videos

View a variety of videos on cleaning gravestones: Tools, solutions, techniques, and more. These will change your ideas about the possibilties of safely cleaning family stones.