Getting started is just like any heritage research project - begin with what you know. Record the medical and health facts for yourself, then go back a generation at a time. The items to record can include:

• Birth and death dates if deceased, along with cause.
• Ethnic background, as some genetic diseases occur in particular ethnic groups.
• Major illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.
• General patterns of ill health, like chronic sore throats.
• Birth defects
• Allergies, both environmental and drug related.
• Emotional or behavioral problems, such as depression, heavy drinking, anxiety, etc.
• Chronic health problems like asthma or high blood pressure.
• Vision and hearing problems.
• General health routines, like tobacco use and diet.

Be sure to note when conditions occur. For example, did Grandma have diabetes as a child, or did it develop later in her adult life? Please also remember to respect everyone's privacy as you go about gathering this information. The information is for you, your medical professional, and your descendant's use. Don't publish this as part of your Internet web page, for example.

Sources for information can include your medical records and the recollections of you and your living relatives. But for deceased ancestors, you can try:

• Death certificates - will list cause of death, but obituaries may also yield information.
• Pension documents
• Social Security Applications
• Family bibles, diaries, old correspondence and the like
• Military records

To organize your data, you can enter it in your genealogy software program as written text or utilize a program, such as GeneWeaver, to create a medical genogram. A genogram is a schematic diagram of family relationships and diseases, which is used by your doctor to determine if there is a risk of inherited illnesses, which could lead to early detection and prevention.

Who knows, maybe the information you find today will save a life tomorrow.

For more information:

Genetic Genealogy
The field of molecular genealogy (genetic genealogy) is fairly new and growing fast. Learn how the genetic markers in DNA can help you to find your ancestors.

Creating a Family Health History
Links to software, diagrams, articles and other resources to help you get started creating a family health history.

URL: http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/ucbishop7a.htm
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