4 Benefits of Knowing your Family History.

Family history is one of those things that most people don't think to learn about until their grandparents are gone. However, there are all sorts of benefits to tracing your roots. You can build better relationships with your grandparents, gain a sense of understanding and meaning for your life, prepare for future health issues, and have fun discovering things about your family. Take a closer look at the benefits of knowing your family's history.

Image via Flickr by Tim Pierce.

Family History Bridges the Gap between Generations.
It's sometimes difficult for people to connect with their grandparents because their life experiences are so different. For instance, if you grew up surrounded by technology, the thought of using an outhouse or traveling by horse is foreign. Through family history work, generations can learn to understand each other and connect in more meaningful ways.

Sharing stories is a great way for people to connect with their grandparents. Take the time to sit down and listen to what they have to say. Simply ask about your grandparents' childhood. Did they grow up on a farm? Where did they go to school? What was their house like? Do they have a favorite memory of growing up? You might be surprised to learn that more of their circumstances are similar to yours than you had originally thought. 

Family History Brings a Sense of Inner Peace.
Instead of just talking to relatives that are still alive, you can go online and find information about relatives that have died. You can find out a lot about your family even if you just know a couple of names to start your search. Knowing where your ancestors came from helps bring meaning to your life. You get a sense of inner peace knowing that you belong somewhere.

People have been keeping histories of their lives for as long as people have been around. Even in the absence of journals, there are census records. You can learn about your family and yourself by doing the research to figure out where your family is from and what they have contributed throughout history.

Most religions support the need for family history work. The Jewish faith is rooted in traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation, and you can read the records. The same is true of Muslims. Christians are also taught the importance of family ties. The book of Malachi in the Bible specific states, "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse (Malachi 4:6)."

Photo credit: Family Holiday.

Family History Helps You Prepare for Possible Genetic Diseases.
Everyone knows that cancer and other diseases tend to run in families. So another benefit of family history work is that you can learn what diseases you are more likely to encounter. For instance, you may learn that your grandfather has a heart condition and the exact same problem was responsible for the passing of your great grandfather. This information is often included in obituaries. Knowing this information can help you adjust your life to keep your heart as healthy as possible, so you can live a longer life. Some diseases that run in families include specific cancers, heart conditions, diabetes, and even mental conditions. This is valuable information for your future well-being.

Family History Is Fun.
It's easy to find out about your roots through the Internet. Several websites have compiled census records and created family trees to help you out. There's no telling what you're going to discover as you trace your roots. You might find out that you are related to someone famous or your roots even tie back to royalty. Maybe your ancestors are among those that migrated to the U.S. or were involved in historic battles. It's lots of fun to find out where your family is from, and it's addictive, too.

Of course, family history is about more than learning about your past. It's also about writing down your stories and memories for future generations. If you're ready to start family history work, turn to Crestleaf. It is a place where families can share stories and photos with each other that will be preserved forever.