> I don't think family secrets should be recorded unless they involve > genealogy. Having an abortion does not involve genealogy. Giving > birth to a child who lived does but even that should have > exceptions. I had a uncle whose wife had a child by another man > before they married. That young man does not know the secret and I > would never tell it. > > [email protected] That sounds very well and proper....but can cause others a great problem. When you refer to "that young man" I assume you mean the one who fathered your aunt's child. What if that child later wants to find his parentage....what is he to do? Or worse yet, what if that child had some sort of genetic problem in which the doctors would be better informed if they knew his parents medical records? I know how that goes! I am adopted and I had a medical problem for which I was treated from an early age. My son developed the same problem. Only when I finally managed to break through "family secrets" (to the extreme disapproval of "family" members did I find out that my birth mother had a similar problem. Eventually, with that knowledge, doctors realized that I (and my son) had been treated for a problem we didn't have, and got correct treatment for the problems we did have. So much for "family secrets"....I have "outed" every one I find--ultimately to the benefit of several others. Wayne Howell Gensearch Port Townsend, WA whowell <[email protected]>