Where can I find information on my family medical history?

To find your family medical history information, you may want to consult family documents, such as existing family trees, baby books, old letters, obituaries, or records from places of worship. Public records- - birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates -- are usually available in county record offices. If you or your family members maintain electronic personal health records, use them.

If you're adopted, ask your adoptive parents if they received any medical information about your biological parents at the time of your adoption. Adoption agencies also may have family medical information on file. If you were adopted through an open adoption process, you may be able to discuss your family's medical history directly with members of your biological family.