When a family member recently was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, the doctor told them the disease is hereditary, and it was passed down to their generation by a family member.

We thought of every family member who might have had the symptoms, but none came to mind. The disease could skip a generation, but an older family member could fill in those gaps when determining whether anyone had the disease. There would be little medical history for an ancestor who died early in life, and that person possibly could be the carrier.

Many genealogists have made medical history as important in their research as vital statistics and traditions. It is an important part of our family history to keep track of all diseases and especially those diseases that are hereditary. Include hearing losses and eye diseases when compiling your medical history.???

The latest thing in family reunions is those reunions where medical history is discussed and compared by those attending.

You might think this is a dull way to spend a day, talking about your "aches and pains," but it could prove to be very important when there is a disease that can be stopped with the right medication.

There are several Web sites that can help the researcher set up his or her medical history. The Web site, "About," includes parenting, genealogy, DNA, health and genetics and health history (All in the Family -- Tracing your Medical History).

The Web site can be accessed at http://genealogy.about.com/od/health_history/a/medical.htm.

The Mayo Clinic's Web site at www.mayoclinic.com/ health/medical-history/HQ 01707 gives instructions on how to compile your medical history.?

As genealogists we are aware of the procedures used to compile our family history. Compiling the medical history almost is the same.

It might be easier to get someone to talk about their illness than it would be to get them to tell you when they got married. In a medical compilation we look at the relationship of those who have similar illnesses.

Child birth problems including miscarriages should be compiled. We can annotate the dates when children died at early ages by looking at census records, especially the 1900 and 1910 when the census taker asked the number of children born to the wife and the number still living.?

Cemetery records also can be used. By researching collateral lines we can learn which families have children and those that did not.

The cause of death should be documented when known. In some areas of Ohio there were cholera epidemics and many children died, and there could be other epidemics including flu.

Diabetics were not known in our family for two generations, but we now have four first cousins who share the disease and one in the next generation.

All share Type Two diabetes which is a red flag for future generations to change their lifestyle. Watch the diet and remember to exercise.

Heart attacks and strokes can appear in some families. Larger families can provide more data to support your medical histories, but even if your family is small it still is important keep track of your medical history.

Family members sometimes will request a medical history from a genealogical researcher just as often as they would request other information about the family.

I have received requests for medical information about my husband's maternal side of the family.

A member of the family had been diagnosed with a type of eye disease and they were trying to determine from which side of the family that person inherited this disease.

When you are interviewing members of your family, remember to include the medical history.

Request death certificates, when available. We know many times on a death certificate the cause of death is not necessarily the contributing factor, but that usually is included.

When possible include the date the disease was diagnosed. Then we can see how early the onset of symptoms may be in others, if at all.

For those who think the study of genealogy is a waste of time, remind them researching our medical history is not.

Chapman Family Association meeting

The Chapman Family Association's sixth annual convention will take place June 2-4 in San Jose, Calif. All members of the Chapman family and those who are researching that line are invited to attend.

The program will include presentations on the Chapman families in the United States and genealogical research tips. Genealogical materials will be offered and there will be lots of time for researching. Sight-seeing tours of the area will be arranged for attendees upon request.

For hotel reservations, contact The DoubleTree Hotel-San Jose, at 2050 Gateway Place in San Jose, Calif., by phone at (800) 2220-TREE.

The Web site is www.doubletreesanjose.com. Mention the Chapman Family Association to receive the special CFA convention rate of $89 per night, plus tax and fees.

The rate will be available for three days before and three days after the meeting for those who want extra time for research, tours and fun.

To receive a convention registration form, contact M. D. Chapman Morgan, P.O. Box 2325, Orcutt, CA 93457-2325, or e-mail Chapmanmorgan@verizon.net.

Go to the Chapman Family Association Web site at www. chapmanfamilies.org to obtain additional information or an online registration form.

When sending in queries or sharing information, write to: Relatively Speaking, P.O. Drawer 1058, Norman, OK 73070 or e-mail Darlene Shawn at Djshawn636@aol.com.