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Family history as a screening technique has received little attention from epidemiologists as a means of early detection of disorders. In this paper, we present several every-day family cases that will prepare the family physician to make use, at will, of this special investigative tool. We deal primarily with Down's syndrome, defects of the central nervous system, infertility, metabolic disorders and, finally, marriage of close relations. For each case, the role to be played by the physician dealing with a positive family history involving a problem is detailed in terms of risks of occurrence and recurrence of the condition; particular aspects of the counselling process are presented, especially the logistic, psychological, ethical and social aspects. We conclude that the family physician should routinely take a complete, detailed and accurate family history of the patients whom he/she sees, both in the course of obsterical care and during routine check-ups, in order to help identify cases of family-related chronic diseases.