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Category:  DNA Matches

Is Your DNA Match a Half-Sibling or a Half-Aunt / Uncle?

If you have a DNA match that shares about 1300 cMs with you, they could be your half-sibling or a half-uncle or aunt, among other relationship possibilities. In this post, learn how to know whether your match is your half-sibling, or that of one of your parents. DNA results are an amazing way to find …

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How to Know if Your DNA Match is a Full or Half Cousin

Did your first cousin take a DNA test? In this post, learn how to know if your cousin is a full or half-first cousin to you. Knowing whether your cousin is a full or half-cousin can be important in your genealogy research. For example, if your cousin is a half-cousin, you can use your shared …

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Identical by State or Coincidentally Identical DNA Segments

Did you know that it's possible to have a DNA match that is not really related to you?  When this happens, the DNA match is called "identical-by-state", which means that the DNA segment that you share was not inherited from a common ancestor and instead is just coincidentally identical.  There is a big difference between …

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Predicted relationship on Ancestry: What does it really mean?

In this post, I'll help you understand the basics of the "predicted relationship" on Ancestry DNA. You will learn what the term means and how to use this information. Whether you are just starting out learning how to understand your DNA match list, or you have a specific DNA match in mind that you'd like …

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