Generating McCreary Family Heritage Website Personas
Sample Prompt
Prompt
Personas for the McCreary family heritage website:
I want to build a new website about the McCreary family heritage. Our focus is the Scotch-Irish people with the Surname "McCreary" and its related spellings.
This focus of the website is education about the McCreary family heritage and its role in the history of Scotland, Ireland and migration to new locations in North America. I want the site to be useful as a resource for schools teaching the history of Scotland, Ireland as well and people that are doing research into their Scottish and Irish background.
Please help me describe the personas of people that might be using this website. Include history students, teachers, people doing historical research, and people doing research into their own personal genealogy. Include people that might want to travel to Scotland and Ireland and visit the areas where the McCreary family lived. Include people interested in the geography of the land and the climate of the area where the McCreary family originated.
For each persona, create a persona name in a level-3 heading and then describe the persona in detail in the body text. Then create a detailed list of questions they might have and the types of information they are looking for.
List the personas in the frequency order you predict they will arrive at the site. This information can then be used to help organize the site top-level navigation.
Claude Sonnet 4.5 Response
Family Genealogist
The Family Genealogist is someone researching their personal ancestry who has discovered or suspects a connection to the McCreary surname. They range from beginners just starting their family tree to experienced researchers with decades of genealogical work. They may have found the McCreary name in census records, birth certificates, immigration documents, or family stories passed down through generations. These researchers are often emotionally invested in their search, seeking to understand their identity and connect with their roots.
Key Questions and Information Needs:
- What are the variant spellings of McCreary (McCrary, McCreery, MacCrory, etc.) and how do I know which spelling my ancestors used?
- Where in Scotland and Ireland did McCreary families primarily live?
- When did major waves of McCreary migration to North America occur?
- Are there documented McCreary family lines with published genealogies I can connect to?
- What records are available for researching McCreary ancestors (church records, land grants, immigration lists)?
- How can I break through brick walls in my McCreary research?
- Are there DNA testing strategies specific to identifying McCreary connections?
- What McCreary family associations or societies exist that I can join?
- Where can I find photographs or descriptions of ancestral McCreary properties?
- What occupations were common among McCreary families historically?
History Educator
The History Educator is a middle school, high school, or college instructor teaching courses on Scottish history, Irish history, immigration history, or Scotch-Irish culture. They are looking for engaging, well-sourced materials to supplement their curriculum and make history come alive for students. They value primary sources, visual materials, and narratives that illustrate broader historical themes through specific family examples. They need content that is academically credible while being accessible to their students' reading levels.
Key Questions and Information Needs:
- How does the McCreary family story illustrate larger patterns of Scotch-Irish migration?
- What primary source documents are available that students can analyze?
- How did the McCreary family experience major historical events (Ulster Plantation, Scottish Lowland conflicts, American frontier settlement)?
- What teaching resources (lesson plans, worksheets, timelines) are available?
- How can I use the McCreary story to teach about push-pull factors in migration?
- What maps show McCreary settlement patterns in Scotland, Ireland, and North America?
- Are there stories of individual McCreary family members that would engage students?
- How does McCreary history connect to curriculum standards for Scottish, Irish, or American history?
- What visual materials (photographs, illustrations, artifacts) can I use in presentations?
- How can I cite this website as a credible source in academic contexts?
Academic Researcher
The Academic Researcher is a graduate student, professor, or independent scholar studying Scotch-Irish history, migration patterns, Scottish clans, Ulster settlement, or related topics. They may be writing papers, theses, dissertations, or books that touch on themes illustrated by the McCreary family experience. They require rigorous documentation, original sources, and scholarly analysis. They are interested in how the McCreary family story contributes to broader historiographical debates and may be looking for gaps in the existing research.
Key Questions and Information Needs:
- What primary sources document McCreary family history and where are they archived?
- How does McCreary family history contribute to understanding Scotch-Irish identity formation?
- What scholarly works have already been published about the McCreary family or related clans?
- Are there unexplored archives or collections relevant to McCreary research?
- How do McCreary migration patterns compare to other Scotch-Irish families?
- What economic, religious, and political factors influenced McCreary movements?
- Are there statistical data on McCreary population distributions over time?
- What methodology has been used to verify McCreary family connections?
- Can I access bibliographies or finding aids for McCreary-related research?
- Are there opportunities to contribute to or collaborate on McCreary historical projects?
Heritage Tourist
The Heritage Tourist is someone planning to visit Scotland and Ireland, either because they have McCreary ancestry or because they are interested in Scotch-Irish heritage more broadly. They want to walk the land their ancestors walked, visit churches where they worshipped, see the landscapes they farmed, and experience the culture that shaped them. They are planning a trip and need practical information about locations to visit, but they also want historical context to make their visit meaningful.
Key Questions and Information Needs:
- What specific locations in Scotland and Ireland are associated with McCreary families?
- Can I visit ancestral McCreary homes, farms, or estates?
- What churches, graveyards, or monuments have McCreary connections?
- What towns or regions should I include in my heritage tour itinerary?
- Are there guided tours focused on Scotch-Irish heritage or McCreary history?
- What museums or heritage centers interpret the Scotch-Irish experience?
- What is the best time of year to visit these locations?
- How do I access local records or historical societies in Scotland and Ireland?
- What modern amenities exist near historical McCreary sites?
- Are there festivals or cultural events celebrating Scotch-Irish heritage I could attend?
History Student
The History Student is typically in high school or college, working on an assignment related to Scottish history, Irish history, immigration, or cultural studies. They may have been assigned to research a specific surname, trace a migration pattern, or write about Scotch-Irish contributions to American history. They need clear, organized information that helps them complete their assignment efficiently while also being engaging enough to hold their interest. They value summaries, timelines, and resources that help them get started quickly.
Key Questions and Information Needs:
- What is the origin and meaning of the McCreary surname?
- What is a brief overview of McCreary family history I can use for my assignment?
- What are the most important dates and events in McCreary family history?
- How do I cite information from this website for my paper or project?
- What are good starting points for learning about the Scotch-Irish?
- Can I find quotes or stories that would work well in my presentation?
- What maps or charts can I use to illustrate McCreary migration?
- How does the McCreary story connect to what we're studying in class?
- Are there videos or interactive elements that explain the history?
- Where can I find additional sources if I need to go deeper?
Local Historian
The Local Historian is someone researching the history of a specific town, county, or region in Scotland, Ireland, or North America where McCreary families settled. They may be writing a local history book, creating a museum exhibit, maintaining a historical society website, or simply preserving community heritage. They are interested in how the McCreary family fits into the larger story of their area and may have access to local records or oral histories that could contribute to the broader McCreary narrative.
Key Questions and Information Needs:
- Which McCreary families lived in my specific area and when?
- How did McCreary families contribute to local economic, political, or religious life?
- Are there McCreary-built structures still standing in my area?
- What local records mention McCreary families?
- How do McCreary families connect to other prominent local families?
- Are there local stories, legends, or traditions associated with McCreary families?
- What land did McCreary families own in my area?
- How can I contribute local McCreary information to this website?
- Are there photographs of local McCreary individuals or properties?
- What role did McCreary families play in local conflicts or notable events?
Cultural Enthusiast
The Cultural Enthusiast is interested in Scotch-Irish culture, traditions, music, language, foodways, and customs. They may not have McCreary ancestry themselves, but they appreciate the broader cultural heritage and want to understand how families like the McCrearys preserved and adapted their cultural traditions over time and across geography. They might be involved in Celtic cultural organizations, traditional music groups, or heritage festivals.
Key Questions and Information Needs:
- What cultural traditions did McCreary families maintain from Scotland and Ireland?
- What language (Scots, Irish, English dialects) did McCreary families speak?
- What music and songs were part of McCreary family culture?
- What foods and recipes were traditional in McCreary households?
- How did McCreary families celebrate holidays and life events?
- What crafts or skills were passed down through McCreary generations?
- How did McCreary family culture change in the New World?
- What Presbyterian or religious traditions were important to McCreary families?
- Are there examples of McCreary family folklore or storytelling traditions?
- How does McCreary culture compare to other Scotch-Irish families?
Geographic Researcher
The Geographic Researcher is interested in the physical landscape, climate, and environmental context of the regions where McCreary families lived. They may be geographers, environmental historians, agricultural historians, or simply people fascinated by how landscape shapes culture and history. They want to understand the terrain, climate, natural resources, and geographic challenges that influenced where McCreary families settled and how they lived.
Key Questions and Information Needs:
- What is the topography and physical geography of original McCreary territories in Scotland?
- What was the climate like in the areas where McCreary families originated?
- What natural resources were available in these regions?
- How did geography influence McCreary settlement patterns?
- What were the agricultural capabilities of lands where McCreary families farmed?
- How does the geography of McCreary settlements in North America compare to Scotland and Ireland?
- What role did rivers, mountains, and coastlines play in McCreary family history?
- How has the landscape changed since McCreary families lived there?
- What were the ecological challenges McCreary families faced?
- Are there historical maps showing McCreary lands in their geographic context?