Ask Anissa: I am working on my family history, and came across medical records, what kinds of resources are available online to record this info?

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.