Adding Family Health Details (like Ovarian Cancer) to Your FamilySearch Tree

This guide will show you how to add sensitive family health details, such as a history of ovarian cancer, to a person's profile on your FamilySearch.org family tree.

Adding Family Health Details to FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch.org provides flexible areas to record family health information like disease histories or causes of death. While no dedicated "health" field exists, you can document these details using the Life Sketch or Notes sections, preserving important medical history.

Step 1: Navigate to the Person's Page

• First, log in to your FamilySearch.org account.
• Use the "Tree" view or the "Recents" list to locate the individual to whom you wish to add health details.
• Click on the person's name or portrait to open their summary card.
• From the summary card, click the "Person" button to go to their dedicated Person page.

Step 2: Access the Details Tab

• On the Person page, ensure the "Details" tab is selected (it's often the default), which displays facts, life sketch, and notes.
• Scroll down the page until you find the "Life Sketch" or "Notes" section.

Step 3: Add Details to the Life Sketch (Recommended for Visibility)

The Life Sketch is a public, narrative summary of a person's life, ideal for concise mentions of significant health events.

• Locate the "Life Sketch" section. If there's an existing sketch, click "Edit". If not, click "Add".
• A text editor will appear. Carefully type the relevant health detail. For example:
  • "She battled ovarian cancer for five years before her passing in 19XX."
  • "The family has a history of ovarian cancer, which affected [Name] and her sister."
• Be concise, factual, and sensitive, remembering that the Life Sketch is public.
• Once you have added the detail, click "Save" at the bottom of the editor to update the Life Sketch.

Step 4: Add Details to Notes (Alternative or Supplemental)

The Notes section allows for more detailed or specific information, and you can also designate notes as private.

• Scroll down to the "Notes" section, usually found below the Life Sketch.
• Click "Add Note".
• In the text box, write the health information. You can include more context here, such as: "According to family stories, [Name] was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 19YY, several years before her death. This is consistent with other family members' medical histories."
• Consider adding a source (e.g., family bible, oral history).
• You can choose to make the note "Private" by checking the box if you feel the information is highly sensitive and only want it visible to yourself.
• Click "Save" to add the note to the person's profile.

Important Considerations:

When adding sensitive health information, always remember to maintain privacy and respect. Only add information you are comfortable sharing publicly on a shared family tree, or utilize the private note option. Always strive for accuracy and consider adding sources for any significant claims.