I am sorry to bother the list with this, but it does concern a hereditary disorder. I am curious about a kidney disease in my Pennington line. I do not know the name of the disease, this I am hoping someone can help. I know my great grandfather Cothern Pennington died of urinary tract infections. He had them most of his life if not all of it. I do not know if anyone prior to him had the problem. I know also that medical testing was not adequate during the early 1900s even into the 1970's. Two of Cothern's children had this problem. One, my grandmother Hattie. She had to have a kidney removed. Another, her brother Elmer also had to have a kidney removed. I have had problems all of my 32 years with kidney/urinary tract infections/stones and yes even my left kidney failing a few times. I still have my kidney though, as it does work more than it doesn't. I also have white patches on my right kidney, strange as I have never had problems with it only my left. I only learned recently that this problem was in our Pennington line. I have not seen my urologist since finding out but plan to as I feel he should know this information. However, I was hoping to know more about this disease before going to him. I know he would want a name. Does one have right to a medical record after the individual is deceased? Does anyone else on this list have a kidney/urinary tract problem in their Pennington line? Thank you Kristie