This family history information website is dedicated to providing
real life information on the most frequently searched topics on family
history, family trees and genealogy. There are many sources to find
similar information on these topics and this site will help provide
theseresources to you. You can navigate this site by clicking a main
topic of discussion at the top - this will then give you the ability
to read more discussions. Please spend some time here and review our
pages. If you like it, please link to us! Here is a great example
of a general family history discussion:
Taking a Family History (for Medical Reasons)
go to the web page to see a sample family tree
Your family history holds key information about your past and clues
to your
future health. Many of your physical traits (such as eye color, hair
color, and
height) are inherited. So, too, are risks for certain genetic conditions
and
health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.
You may
have noticed that some of your relatives are healthier and live longer
than
other
relatives. You may also have noticed that some relatives have the
same health
problems.
By collecting your family's health history, you can learn what health
problems you may be at increased risk for in the future and how to
reduce your
risks.
For instance, people at increased risk for heart disease may be able
to
reduce their risk through not smoking, regular exercise and diet.
Finding out
your
family history can benefit both you and your relatives ... and it
can be fun
too!
HOW TO COLLECT A FAMILY HISTORY
You can collect your family history by talking to your relatives.
Start with
your parents if they are living. Older relatives are often good sources
of
information. Some relatives may not want to share their medical histories
or
they
may not know their family history. However, whatever information you
discover
will be helpful. Vacations, holidays and family reunions can be good
times to
collect this information. As each generation ages, important information
can
be forgotten or lost - so now is the time to start your project! If
you are
adopted, you may be able to learn some of your family history through
the
parent(s) that adopted you or from adoption agency records.
Additional Sources of Information
Check whether your family has existing family trees, charts, listings
of
family members. Information may be recorded in baby books, birthday
date books,
or
a family bible. Medical records are helpful but may be harder to obtain.
There are offices in each state that have records of births, marriages
and
deaths.
You can call the "County Clerk" office where you live (look
in the
"Government" section of the phone book) to find out how
to get copies of these
records.
In addition, there are websites that have helpful resources for putting
together family trees that you can find by searching for "genealogy."
It is
important to collect accurate information, so verify the medical history
whenever
possible.
HOW TO RECORD YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
One way to record a family history is by drawing a family tree called
a
"pedigree." We have instructions for drawing a family tree.
You can also create
and
keep a written list of this information without drawing a pedigree.
Either
way, begin by writing down the medical and health information on:
" Yourself
" Your brothers and sisters
" Your children
" Your parents
Then go back a generation at a time. Include:
" Nieces and nephews
" Aunts and uncles
" Grandparents
" Cousins
For each relative, try to write down as many of these items as possible:
" Age or date of birth (and, for all family members who have
passed on, age
at death and cause of death). When the information is unavailable,
write down
your best guess (for example, "40s").
" Medical problems such as:
Cancer
Heart disease
Diabetes
Asthma
Mental illness
High blood pressure
Stroke
Kidney disease
Alcoholism
Others
Note the ages at which the conditions occurred. Did Uncle Pete have
his heart
attack at age 42 or age 88? Did your mother develop diabetes in childhood
or
as an adult?
" Birth defects such as spina bifida, cleft lip, heart defects,
others.
" Learning problems, mental retardation.
" Vision loss/hearing loss at a young age (remember to record
the age it
began).
" For family members with known medical problems, jot down if
they smoked,
their diet and exercise habits, and if they were overweight. (for
example, you
could note that your brother John, who had a heart attack at age 40,
weighs
300 lbs and smokes 2 packs a day).
After you draw your family tree, above your mother's side of the family
tree
write down where her family members came from (for example, England,
Germany,
Africa, ...); then do the same for your father's side of the family.
This
information can be helpful because some genetic health problems occur
more
often
in specific ethnic groups.
WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR FAMILY TREE
You should keep your family tree in a safe place and update it every
couple
of years (or update it at a regular family gathering, such as Thanksgiving).
You can share a copy with your doctor, who may find it helpful in
caring for
your health. If you have concerns about your family history, you may
wish to
see
a genetics specialist. To find genetics professionals in your area,
contact
the National Society of Genetic Counselors, GeneClinics, or the American
Society
of Human Genetics.
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