Family History and Prostate Cancer: Using FamilySearch

How to Use FamilySearch to Research Prostate Cancer in Your Family History

This guide will help you use FamilySearch to research prostate cancer in your family history.

Step 1: Sign In

First, sign in to your FamilySearch account:

• Go to FamilySearch.org.
• Click Sign In in the top right corner.
• Enter your username and password.

Step 2: Navigate to the Family Tree

Once you're logged in, go to the Family Tree:

• In the top menu, click Family Tree.
• Select Tree from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Review Direct Ancestors

Start with yourself and review your direct ancestors:

• Navigate to your profile in the Family Tree.
• Look at your father, grandfather, great-grandfathers, and other male ancestors.
• Click on each person to view their profile page.

Step 4: Search for Information on Each Ancestor

On each ancestor's profile page, look for any indications of prostate cancer or related health issues:

• Check the Overview section for any notes or information about their health.
• Go to the Details tab to see all available information.
• Look for any mentions of cancer, tumors, or related medical conditions in the life events.

Step 5: Search Records

Search records to find more information:

• From the ancestor's profile page, click the Search Records tab.
• FamilySearch will automatically search records related to that person.
• Review the search results for obituaries, death certificates, or other documents that might mention the cause of death or health conditions.

Step 6: Check Sources

Examine the sources attached to each ancestor:

• Go to the Sources tab on their profile page.
• Look for sources like obituaries, medical records, or family histories that might contain information about their health.
• Click on each source to view the details and any associated images.

Step 7: Add Information

If you find information about prostate cancer or related conditions, add it to the ancestor's profile:

• On the ancestor's profile page, click the About tab.
• Add a note in the Notes section with details about the health information you found.
• You can also add or edit life events to include specific details about illnesses or causes of death.