You've heard all of the experts say that the best way to build a family tree is by using your DNA matches, but how, exactly, is it done? In this post, I'll explain exactly how your DNA matches can help you build your family tree. While ethnicity estimates are fun and can occasionally reveal something …
Got a DNA match that shows up in the first cousin category? Are you wondering how to figure out if this match is a first cousin or a half-sibling? Read me!
If you have been examining your DNA match list, you might have noticed that there are a few different details related to the amount of shared DNA that you have with any particular match. What is the difference between total centimorgans and the number of DNA segments that you and your match share? Which bit …
In this post, I'll explain to you what a quick and dirty family tree is, and how to use the tree to figure out how your DNA matches are related to you. Have you heard someone mention a "quick and dirty" family tree? Are you wondering how building a quick and dirty family tree can …
Have you used the X DNA Comparison tool on Gedmatch? If so, you've probably seen a message saying, "No shared X DNA segments found".
Do you have two relatives who are DNA matches to you, but not to each other? Are you wondering what this really means, and whether or not it could mean a mistake?
Do you need to figure out how you are related to a DNA match? In this post, you'll find a checklist with the best ways to find the information that you need to figure out how you might be related. It can be confusing when you have a genetic relative on your DNA match list …
Do you want to know how much DNA second cousins should share? What about half-second cousins? In this post, I'll tell you everything you need to know about shared DNA between second cousins, including whether it is possible for second cousins to share no DNA. If you have second cousins on your DNA match list, …
If many people have the same wrong person in your tree, and are DNA-matched, this could be confirmation bias in genetic genealogy. Learn how to avoid this!
The Family Tree DNA Family Finder DNA match list has more to offer than meets the eye. Many people don't realize that you can access your DNA match's ethnicity, and in this post, I'll explain how to do it and how this might help you figure out how you are related to your DNA match. …
If you did your DNA test with Family Tree DNA, you might have some questions about your DNA match list. We all want to figure out how our DNA matches are related to us and there is a lot of information that, when interpreted correctly, can help us do just that. In this post, you'll …
If you have found that your parent and sibling have a DNA match that doesn't match you, are you wondering how this could be? In this post, I'll explain how it can be possible that your dad (or mom!) and sibling can have a DNA match that you don't have. Here's a hint: It doesn't …
Whether you are curious about whether you and your great-great aunt or uncle share the expected amount of DNA, or you are wondering if your mystery DNA match could fit into the great-great uncle category, you have come to the right place. In this post, we'll discuss how much DNA someone might share with a …
Can you use your ethnicity estimate to prove paternity? In this post, I'll explain why your ethnicity estimate doesn't tell you much about who your parents are, and which information from your DNA results is most useful for this purpose. Once you've checked over your ethnicity estimate, you might find yourself comparing your results to …
Are you wondering how identical twins would match each other on an autosomal DNA test? Maybe you wonder whether their offspring will match each other at typical first cousin levels? If you have identical twins in your family, or wonder if you do, this post will help you know what to look for as far …
Are you frustrated looking at the number of DNA matches on your list that have no tree? In this post, learn the most common reasons why your genetic relatives have no family tree on their profile. One of the most exciting aspects of DNA results is the list of genetic relatives, also called DNA relatives …
Have a new second DNA match that is a mystery to you? Here, find some strategies to help you learn how your second cousin DNA match is related.
Should you have surname matches with distant cousins? What does it mean if you don't see your surname or maiden name in your list of DNA matches?
Are you confused by a DNA match? In this post, I'll go over some tips and strategies - ranging from the basic to the advanced - to help you figure out your connection. We all have that one match - trust me. Each time we log in to our results, we can't help but see …
Want to know how half-siblings show up on Ancestry DNA? I'll show you how to find out if your match is a half-sibling and so much more! Read more now!
You got your DNA results back, and you've taken a look through your DNA matches. Maybe you recognize some of the names from the top matches, and everything seems to make sense. There is more to see, however. In this post, I'll teach you how to analyze your DNA results using your DNA match list. …
When you are examining a DNA match, one of the best indicators of how far back your common ancestor might be is the size of your shared DNA segments. Generally, the common wisdom is that the longer the segment, the closer the relationship between you and your DNA match. In other words, the longer the …
If you are exploring your DNA results and find a new sibling, or are wondering if you and your known siblings share the expected amount of DNA, you have come to the right place. In this post, I'll tell you what you need to know about the number of shared DNA segments between siblings. How …
Want an example of how DNA segments get smaller over generations? Here, see how a segment breaks up over time, and how this affects your DNA match list.
The best way to figure out how you are related to a DNA match is to build a basic family tree for them back to your common ancestor. In this post, learn why this works and how to do it. I know that this sounds like a crazy idea. You have enough work on your …
What is a double-fourth cousin, and how are they related? Do double-fourth cousins share more DNA with each other than they would otherwise? In this post, I'll explain the meaning of a double-fourth cousin, show you an example of my own double-fourth cousin, and talk about how this "double" relationship affects the amount of DNA …
Want a way to use your unique DNA to find biological family connections? You can use DNA testing to find relatives, and I'll tell you exactly how to do it.
Do we share DNA with all of our relatives? Find out when a relative should share DNA, and when you might not share DNA with people in your family tree.
What does it mean if you don't match the parents of your DNA match? Here, I'll explain reasons that you might match the parents of your DNA matches.
Are you looking for an easy way to figure out if your DNA matches are on your paternal or maternal side? If one of your parents has done a DNA test, and you have access to the results, you can using the Phasing tool on Gedmatch to separate them by maternal and paternal lines. This …
If you are looking at a DNA match and wonder if it is normal for you and your siblings to share different amounts of DNA with said match, you have come to the right place. In this post, you will learn why sharing more or less centimorgans (cMs) with a match than your sibling doesn't …
Read here to find out what to do when you get a close DNA match. Plus, learn a few strategies that might help you find out how you are connected.
"Low sharing" is a term often used by genetic genealogists to describe an amount of DNA that is towards the low end, or even lower than the bottom range of the typical amount of shared autosomal DNA for two people for a given relationship. In this post, you'll learn: Note: "Low sharing" is a term …
If you took a DNA test, you should know that your DNA matches are actually the best part of your results. In this post, learn what you can do with your DNA matches.
Is common to have a DNA match who matches both sides of your family tree? In this post, learn whether this is possible and how it happens.
Do you have cousin matches that show up as a potential third cousin to you? In this post, learn what a third cousin DNA match really is. You will also find out: what it means to have a third cousin DNA match how much DNA you share with a third cousin whether or not your …
Have you noticed that shared DNA segments with the same relative on different testing sites don't have identical locations on the chromosome? In this post, find out the reason why this happens.
One of the unique challenges that you might encounter while researching your Mexican DNA matches is endogamy. What in the world is endogamy, and what does it have to do with Mexico and DNA matches? Endogamy is simply a fancy word that means intermarriage within a particular community or area. Basically, it's just the practice …
What is a second cousin DNA match? Are second cousin matches accurate? Find out what this really means, and how you are connected in this post!
If you are thinking about doing a DNA test, or just got your results back, you might be wondering what you can learn from your DNA match list. DNA matches are my favorite aspect of DNA testing, since each match has the potential to provide valuable information, help you solve a family mystery, and provide …
If you got your DNA test results back and you have a first cousin match, this post will help you understand what a first cousin match really means and how this person might be related to you.
What are 4th cousin matches on Ancestry DNA? If you did Ancestry DNA, and want to make sense of you DNA match list, read this post to learn more!