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Welcome @boomerlib, Here's some recent research information I found on the topic.
"The interplay between genetic and environmental factors, including possible epigenetic effects, highlights the complex immune pathophysiology of PMR and GCA. While some progress has been made in identifying triggers, many mechanisms remain unclear. Further research is necessary to elucidate causative pathways and early steps potentially informing preventive strategies."
-- Environmental factors in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elvis-Hysa/publication/389375590_Environmental_factors_in_polymyalgia_rheumatica_and_giant_cell_arteritis/links/67c40d4e8311ce680c793c0d/Environmental-factors-in-polymyalgia-rheumatica-and-giant-cell-arteritis.pdf
Since you mentioned you were just diagnosed with PMR, you might want to scan through other discussions in the PMR Support Group - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/
Replies to "Welcome @boomerlib, Here's some recent research information I found on the topic. "The interplay between genetic..."
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According to the studies in the link, quite a few possibilities for causes of PMR and GCA have been explored. There's a fair bit of evidence for a genetic predisposition related to Scandinavian or Northern European ancestry. My father had GCA and PMR and I have both as well. My father's mother was of Scottish descent and my DNA test shows 7% Scottish, 5% Norwegian , the rest English and German. Women are 2-3 times as likely as men to get these diseases. My father had 3 brothers and I am the only woman in the next generation to live to greater than 70 years old, when PMR tends to occur. My father must have had a good dose of PMR genes and passed them to me! However, this doesn't explain why a husband and wife or in-laws would both get the disease.