DNA

DNA matches can be very overwhelming and confusing to sort out. I remember the first time I looked at my DNA match list, it was like a sea of unknown names. I did not even know where to begin in order to make sense of it all. My Aunts were showing up as cousins and nothing made sense. However, with the help of many useful websites and Facebook groups, I began to understand how it all worked. My hope is by the end of this post you will feel much less overwhelmed.

First thing is first and most important, attach a family tree to your DNA results. This helps not only see where people fit within your tree, but also helps others who are trying to work on their own trees. If you need help with this step please send me an email using the contact page and I will gladly help walk you through it.

Let’s start with some DNA Language you should know.

centiMorgan (cM) is a unit of measure for DNA. cM tells you how much DNA you and another person share. The more you share the closer they are related to you.

centiMorgan’s are going to be key in figuring out your matches. Blaine Bettinger at the genetic genealogist created a wonderful resource called the Shared cM Project. This tool gives you an estimate, based on your shared cM, of how you and a match are related.

Finding your matches

Let’s take a look at some testing companies and where you can find the cM for you and your matches and some ideas on how to sort them.

AncestryDNA

From the main page of ancestry.com click on DNA and then on DNA Matches. This will display a list of all of your matches. Below is a screenshot of my first two matches.

Let’s look at my second match. Ancestry labels my match as a close family-1st cousin. As you can see we share 1,766 cM. Using that number I can look at the shared cM project chart and narrow down my match. According to the chart, this match could be a Grandparent, Aunt/Uncle or first cousin. I know this match is my Grandfather, but if you have a match you are unsure about there is a way to narrow it down using a few steps I will discuss below.

MyHeritage DNA

From the main page of MyHeritage click on DNA and then DNA Matches and this will bring you to your list of matches.

MyHeritage is set up a bit differently then ancestry, but all in all, it provides basically the same key information you need. The DNA match example I used above is a much lower cM. This indicates that our common ancestor is going to be quite a few generations back.

FamilyTreeDNA

After you log into FTDNA click on matches and your list of matches will appear.

One thing I like about FTDNA is that they provide you with the relationship range that is a bit more in depth. The example I used above is my Mother and you can see we share over 3,000 cM, which indicates a very close relationship.

23andMe

From the home page click on ancestry at the top and then click DNA relatives and this will bring you to your match list.

As you can see 23andMe looks very different in their set up as they do not display their cM’s on the main list. To find your shared cM’s you have to click on the match and it will take you to a comparison page for you and that person.

Steps to figure out your matches

One of the easiest ways to figure out how you connect with a match is to check and see if they have family tree connected to their DNA results. This is one of the main reasons it is so important to connect a tree to your DNA. If you don’t know how to connect a tree to your ancestry DNA results check out this post. Taking a look at a matches family tree can serve two purposes. The first is that they have a very detailed tree and this will lead you straight to the answer you are looking for, which common ancestor do you share. The second, if they do not have a detailed tree and only show a few people, then you can try and build your own tree using that information to look for a common ancestor. I will write a post on this in the coming weeks.

Let’s take a look at how to find out if your match has a family tree.

AncestryDNA

Navigate your way back to the list of your DNA Matches. Once you are looking at your list you will see next to each match either, unlinked tree, no tree, a tree with x amount of people or a private tree.

For those that have a tree click on the match and you will see an option to view their tree. Let’s look at someone who has an unlinked tree. Click on your match and then navigate down the page until you see the drop-down menu to select a tree to preview. Once you select a tree a preview of their will load.

Now, let’s delve into those that have no tree or a private tree. For each of those you can message the match and see what information they are willing to share. Another option is to click on the match and then scroll down to shared matches. Check your shared matches to see if any of those have a family tree attached to their DNA results. If you find a shared match with a tree, review that tree and make a note of your relationship to that match and look for a common ancestor. Now go back to the original match and make a note of the common ancestor you shared with your shared match. This will be a clue as to how you and this unknown match connect.

MyHeritage

MyHeritage is a bit different. Navigate to your matches, looking at your list you can easily see who has a tree attached and who does not. For those that do not have a family tree, you can follow the same steps as above. First message the match and then second, review your shared matches for someone who has a tree attached to their results.

FamilyTreeDNA

Bring up your matches list on FamilyTreeDNA. You will see a small tree icon next to each match. The gray trees mean that match does not have a tree attached. If the tree is a blue color then that match has a tree attached to their DNA results.

23andMe

23andMe is a bit more difficult. They do not have family trees connected to DNA. However, you can either message your match or check each match for a link to a family tree they have on another site.

Please remember if you are still overwhelmed or need any help sorting out your match list, contact me and I will be more then happy to help you.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn money from advertisements, at no cost to you. The opinions expressed in this article are based on my personal experience and research. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the companies mentioned or advertised.

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