You’re going to need a full box of Kleenex. Seriously.
Let me set the scene for you.
Daniel Horowitz with MyHeritage asked if he could set up a Zoom call with me. Not only do I always enjoy Daniel’s company, but he generally has something quite interesting to discuss. This time certainly didn’t disappoint.
Daniel revealed that MyHeritage was releasing something new, LiveMemory animated photos, and I thought to myself, “Well, that’s nice,” but I wasn’t terribly excited. Not at first. I changed my mind shortly.
Daniel popped a photo of my Mom onto the screen, one that I’ve used in my articles and uploaded to my MyHeritage account. In case you’re wondering, I’ve given MyHeritage blanket permission to access my account for new features and other things like this.
However, I was NOT PREPARED for what followed.
“Would you like to see,” Daniel asked?
“Of course,” I replied
I need to explain something. My mother was a professional ballet and tap dancer in the 1940s. I’ve written about her career previously. Mom had retired by the time I was born, and I’ve never seen my mother dance.
Not until today.
I never expected this.
Nor my reaction.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face, and I couldn’t even speak – not a single word. I tried not to flat-out ugly cry. I think Daniel might have shed a tear or two too.
What an incredibly emotional experience. Especially since it was so unexpected. It felt kind of like running into my Mom on the street one more time, which, of course, can’t happen in real life.
Mom has been visiting with our ancestors for 18 years now, and there’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think of her and miss her.
I never realized until I saw her dance that I had never seen her dance. This amazing 5-second video required an entire handful (or two) of tissues and brought her back to me in a way I had never imagined possible.
Yes, it’s AI. No, it isn’t perfect, but it’s her, “alive” again.
Please note that you may need to view these in full screen mode (on this blog) so that heads aren’t cut off in what you’re viewing. They aren’t in the LiveMemory videos or when sharing on social media.
Here’s an animated video of Mom riding a tricycle as a child, looking back at me through time.
Of course, I couldn’t have known Mom then, but I’d recognize that smile anyplace.
This video shows Mom with her dance partner and roommate, Mary Tan Hai, outside the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago on a blustery day.
One of my favorite photos of me and Mom wearing matching dresses and holding hands. As you can see, the photo is grainy, but I still love it. What would LiveMemory do? (Please view in full screen mode.)
Now, we are walking in the neighborhood where I grew up and smiling.
I need more Kleenex!
Oh, to be able to do that just one more time. Even for just a minute.
Thank you, MyHeritage, for this incredibly moving experience! You sure know how to impart joy in a way no black-and-white record, or photo, ever could!
LiveMemory – Now It’s Your Turn
Here’s how this works! Please read all the way through before doing anything.
- MyHeritage is releasing this beta version of their new LiveMemory feature only in English-speaking countries. Other locations will be added soon. No, I don’t have more details.
- Initally, and for the near future, LiveMemory will only be available on the MyHeritage mobile app, so not on your computer.
- MyHeritage is working to put LiveMemory on their website, but an ETA is not known. I wouldn’t count on waiting if you want to try this new feature.
- Download a new version of the MyHeritage app from either the Apple or Google store by clicking this link and scanning the QR code on your phone.
- Animations are 5 seconds, no more and no less. No, you can’t combine photos or add audio in this app.
- The video includes a watermark that says it was generated with AI.
- You can animate “a few” photos for free, so choose wisely. No, I don’t know how many “a few” are, but when you hit the limit, you’ll be prompted to purchase either one of two types of subscriptions.
- The Omni Subscription is the deluxe “everything subscription” and includes the ability to animate 30 photos per year using LiveMemory. I like Omni because it includes all of the My Heritage genealogy tools – unlimited trees, historical records, photos, DNA tools, OldNews, Legacy Tree Webinars, Geni Pro Access, all research data in all collections – everything MyHeritage offers under one umbrella. I have the Omni subscription and use it every day.
- The Photo Subscription is an add-on subscription for any other type of subscription, other than Omni, or if you want photo features only, such as the ability to scan, repair, or colorize. The Photo Subscription costs $49 per year and includes the ability to animate 20 photos per year using LiveMemory.
- LiveMemory videos will not be posted to your MyHeritage account. A link is sent to you via email when the video is ready, generally within a few minutes. You can download the videos, and I strongly suggest that you do so you can share them with family members.
Special Omni Subscription Price
I reached out to MyHeritage and asked for an Omni special subscription rate for my followers. They have graciously provided a 50% discount on an Omni Subscription, but you have to click here to receive the discount. This is by far the best value I’ve ever seen or been able to offer for the Omni plan.
Which photos are you going to animate?
Holiday Strategy
Folks in the US will be gathering for Thanksgiving within a few days. Select a few photos, animate, and surprise everyone on your laptop or even connect to a TV screen. You might want to record their reactions to seeing a favorite family photo come alive.
I have some photos of family gatherings in which almost everyone is now visiting with our ancestors. I’ll use LiveMemory to animate some of those, with an entire box of Kleenex available to share with those of us here.
If any of your family members haven’t yet taken a DNA test, now’s a great time for that, too, because MyHeritage’s Black Friday DNA sale price is $33 through November 24th. Click here for the $33 DNA test deal.
Your family members, meaning siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins, carry some of the DNA of your ancestors that you don’t – which is just as useful to your genealogy as your own DNA.
And all of this just in time for the holidays!
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DNA Purchases and Free Uploads
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- Genealogical.com – Lots of wonderful genealogy research books
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