Scope: Images of deceased persons, historical photographs, and record images, addressing both generated and modified images.
Our Position
- AI can help and harm. Tools marketed or used for image alteration—commonly referred to as “photo restoration”—sometimes alter or fabricate facial features and other important genealogically relevant characteristics. Such alterations risk misleading researchers and families about identity, time, or place.
- We are setting simple, neutral practices that preserve trust across tools and platforms, grounded in the Coalition principles: Accuracy, Disclosure, Privacy, Education, and Compliance.
- Three guidelines are recommended for everyone to follow:
- Always Label. Provide a visible, human-readable label stating that the image was modified or generated.
- Always Cite. A minimal citation is recommended, noting the original source and that the image was modified or generated. For greater clarity, a more detailed, layered citation is encouraged, recording the process and specific edits.
- Use as Illustration, Not Evidence. Treat modified or generated images as illustrative only. Do not use them to prove identity, time, or place.
What This Means in Practice
- Researchers can see what changed at a glance and can still find and evaluate the original.
- Users can share helpful enhancements without overstating what an image proves.
Contact
To contact the coalition, please use our contact form.