My grandmother died in 1946 at the age of 46 and I remember my mother telling me it was from 'Brights Disease' an umbrella term to cover a number of kidney ailments. My mother always had issues with her kidneys especially when she got older. Sadly mother passed away five years ago after a surgical procedure (small bowel blockage) as her kidneys started to fail. We were aware of it as the surgeon told us that there was a very real chance that she wouldn't make it due to her kidneys, nephritis. Since our late 20's both my elder brother and I have had kidney problems. The worst so far being kidney stones. I've never looked up whether or not 'Bright's Disease' aka bad kidneys is hereditary but what three generations of my family have gone through because of their kidneys I'd say there's a good chance.