One thing I have long thought about, is how genealogy and family history research may be able to highlight certain genetic traits and certain abnormalities. When you are researching your family history do you stop to think it might be interesting to know what members of your family died of? What genetic characteristics they may have and will they or it be passed down to you?

Family history can hint at how the future will shape up - washingtonpost.com

"Family history is still the cheapest, most accessible, most time-tested way to get a rough estimate of the genetic component of disease risk," says Rear Adm. Robert C. Williams, the acting deputy surgeon general.

If that sounds a little morbid it depends (as with all things) on your perspective. But most doctors and clinics the world over, always, always, always ask you for your family history and what better way to find out - but to ask your relatives to fill in your medical knowledge gaps, and in doing so, you may find a whole new reason to keep working on your family history.