Question:  I have recently started to research my family history, and mostly because of medical reasons.  I have some medical records for myself and my husband, and his adoptive parents and I have been looking for a way to keep track of our families medical histories.  I understand this may be a bit off topic for your site, but, was wondering if you have ever heard of any type of genealogical/medical history forms or online information to document and track this type of history for not only ourselves, but for our children's future use.  Amanda H., OK

Answer: That is a GREAT question!  I have heard for many years that we should include this kind of information in our genealogy, but until you asked about medical history forms, I hadn't done more than just write notes and put it with each individual or family page or section.  I did a search and found that the government has an online resource called My Family Health Portrait, to help you with this exact need.

My Family Health Portrait allows you to create a personalized family health history report from any computer with an Internet connection and an up-to-date Web browser.

Information you provide creates a drawing of your family tree and a chart of your family health history. Both the chart and the drawing can be printed and shared with your family members or your healthcare professional. Used in consultation with your healthcare professional, your family health history can help you review your family's health history and develop disease prevention strategies that are right for you.

Try the United States Surgeon Generals online Family History Health Portrait, and see if that helps you in your recording of family medical/health histories.

Question: I love to crochet but would eventually like to learn to knit, there seems to be more knitting patterns than crochet, when it comes to clothing. Until I learn to knit, do you have any leads of where to find great jacket or sweater patterns that can be used for knit or crochet? I would love to find other clothing or afghan crochet patterns too! I Need Help!! Mary Britten, Tulsa, OK

Answer: Yes, definitely! I am a bit partial to Leisure Arts for patterns, or Knit Magazine, and luck would have it that Leisure Arts  has what you are looking for! I hope the patterns are to your liking, Leisure Arts has a pretty good selection. You should also look around their library for more great ideas and I would also sign up for their newsletter. I love getting mine and seeing all the great things they have! Leisure Arts has brought back some of their past patterns in digital format in their Library, and they are reasonably priced and you don't have to wait for them in the mail.

Question: Where can I find information about ATC's?  I would like to know more about how to make them and where to find embellishments and findings to use for decoration.  Also, are there books on this subject or places online specifically dedicated to ATC's?  Marleen M., Spokane, WA

Answer: I was so happy to see this particular question!  I love the whole idea of ATC's and have written several articles on this subject in the past 2 years.  I have created a special page here on my site for this subject.  I have links in the article to sites that have great information and that may be more in depth than what I have written.  I know there are slowly becoming more and more people who are blogging about ATC's or who have sites of their own who are including information and resources.  I would try Flickr for photos of other peoples designs for inspirational purposes, and also follow links from ATC sites to other ATC related websites.  Please let me know if the information I have is useful or if you find any other info that may be of help to others.