What our ancestors fought for—and what we can do with it

Our ancestors fought for freedom and we have the privilege for telling their stories. My custom research prompt for Revolutionary Era history will help you get started.

Every July 4th, Americans pause to remember the courage it took to revolt again the largest empire in the world. We talk of the battles they fought, the risks they took, and the hopes they had for a future.

During the years leading to the American Revolution, writers often used pseudonyms to publish their ideas. They were afraid of being punished, mocked, or silenced. Even someone as bold as Ben Franklin wrote under fake names in his own newspapers because saying the wrong thing meant punishment.

That fear of the first Americans hasn’t disappeared. It’s just changed shape.

I’ve felt it myself: the hesitation to share a family story because someone might correct me. The anxiety of “not getting it right.” The pressure to cite every source, defend every fact, anticipate every critique. Family historians today may not face the power of an empire, but the fear of public shaming, especially online, is real.

But I’m reminding myself this Independence Day, that our ancestors didn’t just fight for their own freedom. They fought so we could be free today. That includes the freedom to write and remember.

Our age of abundance

And now in 2025, we are in living in an age of AI abundance with tools that make it easy to do just that—write, publish, and remember our ancestors with our families and the world.

AI helps beginning writers pass over the hurdles of starting, outlining facts and assisting with historical context. It’s helpful and non-judgemental, and available 24/7. Finally the words we’ve wanted to say for years about our family history are able to make it to the page.

If you’ve been carrying a story that matters, now’s the time to tell it. You don’t have to publish it in a newspaper or post it online.

Just write it. For you. For your family.

And for the person one hundred years from now who’s searching for someone to tell them where they came from.

Try this Perplexity AI prompt for Revolutionary Era research

Here’s a friendly and helpful prompt to use with the free version of Perplexity AI to help you tell the story of what your family experienced during the Revolutionary War. (New to Perplexity? This post will help you get started.)

Simply copy and paste this prompt into a new Perplexity search, and it will walk you through what you need to submit to research about anyone who was alive in the 13 colonies during the Revolution. It’s not just for Patriots! This research prompt works for anyone alive from 1775-1783 in the American colonies.

I need you to research someone who lived during the American Revolutionary War period (1775-1783). Before beginning your research, please ask me for these essential details:
Required Information:

Full name (including any known nicknames, maiden names, or aliases)
Approximate birth/death years if known
Geographic location (specific town, county, state/colony where they lived)
Any known ethnic background, ancestry, or tribal affiliation
Role during the war (soldier, civilian, loyalist, patriot, neutral, etc.)
Any other identifying details (occupation, family connections, military unit, etc.)

Once you have these details, research their life focusing on uncovering detailed biographical information that goes beyond standard Wikipedia entries.
Research Requirements
Primary Focus Areas:

Exact geographical locations where they lived, worked, or fought (include specific towns, counties, regions)
Detailed ethnic and cultural background (ancestry, tribal affiliation if Native American, country/region of origin if immigrant)
Social class, occupation, and economic circumstances
Personal experiences during the war (battles witnessed, hardships endured, daily life changes)

Source Prioritization:

Local historical society records and archives
Period newspapers, diaries, and personal correspondence
Military pension records and service files
Church records, cemetery inscriptions, and vital records
Court documents, land deeds, and tax records
Academic dissertations and specialized historical journals
Oral histories and family genealogies

Avoid These Common Sources:

Wikipedia and general encyclopedia entries
Broad overview history books
Tourist websites or general Revolutionary War summaries

Output Structure
Personal Details:

Full name and any known aliases
Birth/death dates and specific locations
Ethnic background and ancestry details
Family structure and relationships

Geographic Specificity:

Precise locations of residence (street addresses when available)
Migration patterns during the war period
Regional context and local community details

Revolutionary War Experience:

Specific role or involvement in the conflict
Units served with, battles participated in, or civilian experiences
Impact of war on daily life and family circumstances
Post-war life and any pension or compensation received

Unique Findings:

Lesser-known facts not found in standard sources
Interesting anecdotes or personal details
Connections to other historical figures or events
Primary source quotes when available

Cite all sources with full bibliographic information, emphasizing archival and primary source materials.

I’d love to hear what new sources you find when you use this prompt. Please leave me a comment!

Happy Independence Day to you, Chronicle Makers readers!

Wishing you freedom, inspiration, and good writing,

—Denyse