AncestoriesXR is entering a new phase in its development. Technological advances now make it possible for us to realize the vision we started with — to bring family stories to life in a way that captures the imagination of every generation, especially the ones who grew up online.
The idea for AncestoriesXR began when I discovered that my mother’s ancestors served in the Revolutionary War. I wanted to find a way to share that story with the younger, more digitally-oriented members of my family — not as a dusty document, but as something they’d actually want to watch and share.
Our early attempts to build these experiences using game engines were time-consuming and expensive. Recent breakthroughs in gaussian splatting, artificial intelligence, and generative AI have changed that, dramatically reducing production costs while keeping the quality high.
Through all of this, storytelling remains at the center of what we do. Our team of journalists, researchers, and documentary makers works to add real historical context rather than inventing dramatized narratives. Wherever possible, we incorporate primary sources — letters, journal excerpts, and photographs — directly into the final film.
To celebrate this next chapter, we’re giving away two 60-second mini-documentaries about your own ancestors this holiday season.[Contest closed]