Often when people start researching their family tree, they are warned that they might encounter facts about their ancestors that will upset or alarm them, such as ancestors who lived in workhouses, suff ered illnesses and poverty, or were criminals or victims of crime. Certainly family historians need to be aware that they might uncover uncomfortable details about their ancestors, and have a strategy for how they will deal with that information. However, undertaking family history research brings a number of positive mental health benefits that outweigh the potential negatives.