Personal Encyclopedias
whoami.wiki
March 25, 2026
9 min read
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74/100
Summary
A collection of 1,351 old family photos was discovered and organized into groups, showcasing multiple generations from grandparents to the author's childhood. The photos highlight a transition from physical prints to online backups beginning with the advent of smartphones.
Key Takeaways
- The author organized 1,351 old family photos and documented their stories by interviewing their grandmother about the events captured in the images.
- The author created a personal encyclopedia using MediaWiki to preserve the historical context of the photos and connected them to relevant Wikipedia pages for wider context.
- The process of documenting family history was enhanced by using audio transcription and language models to streamline the editorial work.
- The author discovered connections between family members and events, such as a singer at their grandparents' wedding being the same nurse who delivered them.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- The project presents a fascinating way to preserve family history, showcasing the potential of AI to enhance personal storytelling.
- Access to a private LLM API could empower individuals to create personalized encyclopedias while maintaining control over their data.
Concerns
- There is a bittersweet feeling about AI's role in this project, as it may diminish the artisan quality of handcrafting personal memories.
- Concerns arise about privacy when using LLMs run by corporations, particularly regarding sensitive personal data like photographs.