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In this
Issue:
Family Humour: A
little humor for you Family Historians
Ad in the Daily Times-
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"Ancestors required" - please supply photo
and references
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Family Research Article:
Family
Health Histories and Genograms
by: Laura Heidekrueger
We as genealogists
and family historians have always known the importance of preserving the
past for the future. Our ancestors passed on a rich heritage of food,music,
solid values and their genes! Familial links are being recognized daily
between cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. It makes
it even more critical that we incorporate a detailed genogram, or family
health history, into our research.
A genogram, once left in the hands of geneticists
can now be produced on your own computer. They map out relationships and
traits that may otherwise be missed on a pedigree chart. A health history
report can be generated with your favorite genealogy program. Either way,
issues in interpretation and privacy arise. Interpretation of all information
from compiled genograms or health reports should only be made by a licensed
physician. Any recommendations regarding life style changes in diet, excersise
or treatment must be done with your physicians knowledge and approval.
Family health histories are tools for your doctor to use.
Privacy of all medical
information is essential. Medical information in genealogy programs can
invade privacy, even if the ancestors are long deceased, especially if
published on the internet. Remember, your ancestors medical data is yours
and your descendants also. A well documented genogram should include 3-4
generations of health data. A series of standard symbols are used.

Squares denote males, circles females. The illustration
above shows a basic family format of a father, mother and offspring. You
can tell at a glance they had 1 son and 2 daughters. From here you would
begin to build your families history. Information that should always be
included are date, age and cause of death. Health problems such as heart
disease, miscarriages, high blood pressure of living members. Siblings
in each generation are listed from the oldest on the left to youngest on
the right. Many make more than one genogram. Remember the privacy issues.
We must tread lightly when it comes to entering habits like drug abuse,
alcoholism and abusive relationships and who is entitled to see the information
you compile. Not only are these used for strict medical problems. They
can become a pleasant experience to map out other traits you and yours
have inherited. For instance, eye color, artistic qualities, temperament,
musical ability. Once done you can see at a glance how heredity plays such
a great role in our lives. We can then see the great gifts our ancestor
passed down to us!
This information is provided by Chicago
Genealogy and Family History Research Services, active Genealogy researchers
for over 14 years.

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History can be fun! Make your research personal
and enjoy the adventure of discovering real people in your family history.
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