Summary
General AI like ChatGPT is unreliable for transcribing historical documents, often fabricating key genealogical details like names and dates.
Specialized tools like Transkribus are designed for historical scripts and provide much higher accuracy.
The most effective workflow is to first transcribe the document accurately with Transkribus in its original language.
For a high-quality translation that preserves the document's original formatting, upload the transcribed file to Bluente's AI Document Translator.
You've just discovered a treasure trove of old family documents on Ancestry.com—birth certificates from the 1800s, marriage licenses in Gothic script, and handwritten letters from your great-grandmother. Your excitement quickly turns to frustration as you struggle to decipher the historical handwriting. You tried ChatGPT, but it turned your ancestor's occupation from "cultivateur" (farmer) to "auditor" and completely fabricated details about your family history.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.
"ChatGPT did not do well... it basically noticed that I was giving it some marriage records, scooped the names out of the records and made up something vaguely plausible involving these names," laments one genealogy enthusiast on Reddit. Another researcher adds, "I tested ChatGPT on an Italian marriage record and it was wildly incorrect. The only thing it got right was the first half of the bride's given name."
The problem? General AI tools like ChatGPT aren't specialized for the unique challenges of historical document transcription. When faced with unfamiliar handwriting styles, specialized terminology, or languages like Kurrentschrift (old German script), these tools often resort to what one user aptly called "plausible bullshit" rather than accuracy.
Enter Transkribus—a powerful AI tool specifically designed for transcribing historical documents that's changing the game for genealogists worldwide.
Why General AI Fails with Historical Documents
Before diving into Transkribus, it's important to understand why tools like ChatGPT struggle with genealogical records:
Lack of Specialized Training: General AI models are trained on modern internet text, not historical handwriting styles that vary dramatically across centuries and regions.
The "Fill-in-the-Gaps" Problem: When ChatGPT encounters text it can't read, it tends to generate plausible-sounding content rather than admitting uncertainty—a disaster for historical accuracy.
Name and Date Inaccuracies: The most crucial information in genealogical records—names, dates, places—is often where general AI performs worst, rendering the entire translation suspect.
As one frustrated user noted, "I didn't even look to see what the translation was like because the simple transcriptions of the names were so far from being accurate." When the foundation is wrong, everything built upon it collapses.
What Makes Transkribus Different?
Transkribus is a specialized platform developed specifically for the digitization, transcription, and text recognition of historical documents. Unlike general AI, it excels at the very challenges that stump other tools:
Specialized in Historical Scripts: Transkribus can handle notoriously difficult writing styles like Kurrentschrift, Sütterlin, and Fraktur that leave other AI tools baffled.
Designed by Experts for Experts: Created by historians, archivists, and computer scientists at the READ-COOP, Transkribus understands the unique needs of document transcription.
Impressive Scale and Accuracy: With over 300,000 registered users, 20,000+ text recognition models, and more than 50 million pages processed, Transkribus has proven its effectiveness in real-world applications.
Getting Started with Transkribus: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let's walk through the process of using Transkribus to transcribe your historical documents:
Step 1: Create an Account and Install the Software
Visit Transkribus.eu and create a free account
New users receive 50 free credits monthly for processing documents
Download and install Transkribus (available for Windows, macOS, and Linux)
Log in using your account credentials
Step 2: Prepare and Upload Your Documents
The quality of your document images directly impacts transcription accuracy:
Scan your documents at a minimum of 300 DPI (dots per inch) for optimal results
Save as PNG or JPG format
In Transkribus, select "Upload" and choose your document files
Organize your uploads into collections for easier management
Step 3: Layout Analysis
Before transcription, Transkribus needs to identify text regions:
Select your document in the Transkribus interface
Click "Run Layout Analysis" in the Tools menu
This process automatically detects text regions, lines, and baselines
Review the results—you can manually adjust any misidentified sections
Step 4: Choose Your Text Recognition Method
Transkribus offers three main approaches to transcription:
Quick Text Recognition: Best for straightforward documents when you need fast results
Text Recognition Using Public Models: The most common starting point for genealogists
Browse over 100 pre-trained public models
Filter by language, time period, and script type
For German historical documents including Kurrentschrift, the "German Giant" model is highly recommended
For other languages, search for models trained on similar document types to yours
Text Recognition Using Custom Models: For advanced users working with multiple documents from the same source
Requires manually transcribing approximately 50 pages to create "ground truth" data
Results in highly accurate recognition specifically tailored to your documents
Particularly valuable for extensive family archives or unique handwriting styles
Step 5: Run Text Recognition
Select the document or pages you want to process
Choose your preferred model
Click "Run Text Recognition"
Wait for processing (time varies depending on document length)
Step 6: Review, Edit, and Export
The most critical step for genealogical accuracy:
Compare the transcribed text with the original document side-by-side
Correct any errors—pay special attention to names, dates, and places
Export your corrected transcription in your preferred format (DOCX, PDF, XML, etc.)
As one experienced user advises, "just check its work. Line up its transcription with the original text before you move on."
The Optimal Workflow: Transkribus + Bluente
The genealogy community has discovered an effective two-step process for working with historical documents in foreign languages:
Use Transkribus for Accurate Transcription
Transcribe the document in its original language
Correct any errors in the transcription
Export the corrected transcription as a DOCX or PDF file to preserve the original structure
Use Bluente for High-Quality Document Translation
Upload the exported document to Bluente's AI Document Translator
The AI translates the text while perfectly preserving the original document's formatting and layout
Review the translated document, which can be downloaded in its original file type
Why this combination works better than all-in-one solutions:
"Bluente's AI is incredibly accurate for historical text, and it keeps the document's original formatting perfectly, which is a lifesaver," notes one genealogy researcher. By translating the entire document, Bluente maintains the context and layout of the original record, something that simple text translators miss.
Real-World Success Stories with Transkribus
Case Study: German Church Records
A genealogist researching their German ancestors encountered parish registers written in Kurrentschrift from the 1700s. After struggling with ChatGPT and getting "wildly incorrect" results, they switched to Transkribus:
"The German Giant model in Transkribus recognized about 85% of the text correctly on the first pass, including names that ChatGPT completely mangled. After exporting the text and running it through Bluente, I finally understood that my ancestor was a 'Schmiedemeister' (master blacksmith), not a 'baker' as ChatGPT had inexplicably translated."
Case Study: French Marriage License
One researcher working with 19th-century French marriage licenses found that general AI consistently mistranslated occupations and locations:
"In one document, ChatGPT translated 'cultivateur' as 'auditor' rather than 'farmer.' Using Transkribus for the initial transcription preserved the original French terms, allowing Bluente to correctly translate them afterward. This precision is crucial when building an accurate family history."
Case Study: Multi-Generation Project
A family historian working to transcribe hundreds of letters spanning three generations reported:
"I invested in Transkribus credits to train a custom model on my grandfather's distinctive handwriting. After transcribing just 50 pages manually, the custom model achieved over 95% accuracy on the remaining 300+ pages of his journals. The time savings were enormous, and the accuracy far exceeded what I was getting with ChatGPT or Google Lens."
Tips for Maximizing Transkribus Success
1. Choose the Right Model
For German documents with Kurrentschrift, start with the German Giant model
For other languages, search the public models by time period, region, and document type
When working with multiple documents from the same writer, consider investing time in training a custom model
2. Image Quality Matters
Scan at 300-600 DPI (dots per inch) for optimal results
Ensure even lighting without shadows
Capture the entire page with minimal skew or distortion
For documents from Ancestry.com or other online archives, download the highest resolution available
3. Optimize Your Workflow
For long projects, process documents in batches
Save corrected transcriptions to build a reference library
When using the Transkribus to Bluente workflow, ensure you're editing the transcription before translation
For genealogical records, create a glossary of commonly used terms (like "cultivateur") to ensure consistent translations
4. Collaborate and Share
Transkribus allows collaborative projects—consider working with other family members
Share successful models with the community to help others researching similar records
Document your process to help future generations continue your work
Conclusion: Breaking Through Language Barriers in Genealogy
Historical handwriting and language barriers no longer need to be insurmountable obstacles in your genealogical research. With Transkribus's specialized AI for transcription and Bluente for translation, you can unlock the rich stories contained in birth certificates, marriage licenses, and personal letters that were previously inaccessible.
While no AI tool is perfect, the consensus among serious genealogists is clear: "I've found that Transkribus tends to do a better job with transcribing genealogy documents than ChatGPT." By adopting this specialized tool designed specifically for historical document transcription, you'll avoid the frustration of fabricated family details and discover the authentic stories of your ancestors.
Ready to try Transkribus? Visit readcoop.eu/transkribus to create your free account and claim your 50 monthly credits. Your ancestors' stories are waiting to be uncovered with accuracy and precision that general AI simply can't match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Transkribus and how does it help with genealogy?
Transkribus is a specialized AI-powered platform designed specifically for transcribing historical documents with difficult handwriting. It helps genealogists by accurately converting handwritten records like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and letters into digital text, which is essential for capturing correct names, dates, and places.
Why is Transkribus better than ChatGPT for historical documents?
Transkribus is better than ChatGPT because it is a specialized tool trained specifically on historical handwriting, whereas ChatGPT is a general language model trained on modern internet text. This specialization allows Transkribus to accurately decipher scripts that cause ChatGPT to "hallucinate" or generate plausible but incorrect information, ensuring greater historical accuracy.
Is Transkribus free to use?
Yes, Transkribus offers a free plan that is often sufficient for hobbyist genealogists. New users receive 50 free credits each month to process documents. For more extensive projects, additional credit packages are available for purchase.
What is the most effective way to transcribe and translate a foreign historical document?
The most effective workflow is a two-step process: first, use Transkribus for an accurate transcription in the original language. Second, use a specialized document translator like Bluente to translate the transcribed text while preserving the document's original formatting and layout.
Can Transkribus handle difficult scripts like old German Kurrentschrift?
Yes, Transkribus excels at transcribing difficult historical scripts, including old German Kurrentschrift. It features pre-trained public models, such as the "German Giant," that are specifically designed to recognize these writing styles with a high degree of accuracy.
How can I ensure I get the best results with Transkribus?
To get the best results, start with high-quality scans of your documents (at least 300 DPI), choose the most appropriate text recognition model, and always manually review and edit the final transcription. Comparing the AI's output with the original document is crucial for correcting errors and ensuring the accuracy of names, dates, and places.