Genetic Genealogy

Do you want to know how many centimorgans is a good match? In this post, learn how to determine whether cMs shared between two DNA matches is significant.

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 …

Got the Philippines DNA region on Ancestry? You're among over 10 million people with Filipino ancestry outside of the Philippines - find out more here!

In this post, I will explain how much DNA you should share with a great-uncle or a great-aunt. There is a range of shared DNA, measured in centimorgans, that we expect to see between relatives of this distance. This is important information to know, whether you are trying to figure out how a new DNA …

Want to know what 4th-6th cousin means on your Ancestry DNA match list? Here, find out the answer, and how to figure out how these cousins are related.

Did you see Neolithic DNA on your Gedmatch results? In this post, find out why you have DNA from the New Stone Age in your admixture results.

What is the Iberian Peninsula DNA ethnicity? If you got this region in your DNA, you will want to read this post to find how you got this DNA - and more!

You don't have to subscribe to Ancestry to be able to take the DNA test and get your results. Learn what you can find out without a subscription, and more!

In this post, learn how to know how a first cousin match is related to you, as well as some other important aspects of understanding your DNA matches.

If you tested your DNA with both Ancestry and 23andMe, you might be asking why your results are different, and which are most accurate. Find the answer here.

What does cM shared mean in your DNA results? What does shared DNA mean? Find out here, plus learn where to find this information on your DNA match list.

Want to know which popular DNA test shows your haplogroup? Learn the answer, who should take the test, and what to expect from your haplogroup results.

Got French and German on your 23andMe Ancestry Composition results? This means that you may have had ancestors who lived here - find out more in this post!

Is it possible to link your Ancestry DNA results to someone else's tree? Yes, it is - and you can learn exactly how to do it in this article.

Want to know how to read the Gedmatch results for the "Are Your Parents Related" tool? Learn how to use the tool and understand the results here.

How much DNA do you share with a great-grandparent? Will they show up on your DNA match list? In this post, find the answers to these questions and more!

Can Ancestry DNA tell you who your father is? Learn whether, how, and when your Ancestry DNA results can help you learn the identity of a biological father.

Whether you have only a trace of Iberian, or a whopping 20% Iberian on your DNA results, learn more about the ethnicity of the Iberian Peninsula here.

Do you have questions about the Ancestry DNA test? In this post, learn how long Ancestry DNA takes, what you learn, whether it's worth it - and more.

Want to learn about the best cM DNA calculator? Learn what the DNA Painter Shared cM tool is, how it works, and where the data behind the tool comes from.

In this post, I'll show you the easiest way to share Ancestry DNA results with friends or family, as well as make changes to your DNA Results Sharing list.

The MDLP Project on Gedmatch provides ancestry estimates. In this article, learn the basics about MDLP, differences between the models, and how to learn more.

Do you want to know where you can buy Ancestry DNA? In this post, learn the answer, as well as whether you can buy it in stores, or as a gift for someone else. Purchasing your Ancestry DNA test is the first step to a fascinating journey. Whether you want to discover biological relatives, find …

Did you get a Genetic Group on MyHeritage DNA? In this post, learn what it means to get assigned to one of the 2,114 available Genetic Groups, and how to use this information. The Genetic Group feature on MyHeritage DNA is an exciting new development for those who have tested with the site. This feature …

Are you trying to choose between MyHeritage DNA vs. Ancestry DNA for testing?  Both companies offer a reliable DNA testing service at a similar price, so how do you decide which one is best for you?  In this post, I'll tell you what I love about each company and what each one does better than …

Humans have 46 DNA segments on their 23 chromosomes, 23 inherited from each parent. In this article, learn more about these DNA segments, how many segments we have, and what it means to share these in common with someone. DNA segments are an important part of understanding how we are related to our DNA matches. …

Have you seen % Shared DNA on your Ancestry match list? In this post, learn what percent shared DNA means, and how to use this information to figure out your connection with your DNA matches. The percentage of shared DNA showing up on the Ancestry DNA match list is a new feature for 2020. I'm …

Did you get Indigenous Americas - Yucatan Peninsula on your Ancestry DNA results? This region is one of 87 Mexican regions and sub-regions currently available on Ancestry results. In this post, learn more about this fascinating region and its people, as well as: The Yucatan Peninsula has a long, fascinating history. Central to the story …

Building a wide family tree will help you understand how your DNA matches are related, and learn more about your ancestors. In this post, I'll teach you how to use your DNA matches to build your tree wide. I have a confession to make:  I used to be a name collector.  When it came to …

Do you want to know which grandparent you are most related to, from a DNA perspective? In this article learn how to know which grandparent you likely share the most genes with, understand why, and find out how to know for sure. My oldest son looks and behaves in a very similar fashion to my …

Are you deciding between Ancestry DNA vs Family Tree DNA? Don't know which one to use? Find out the advantages and disadvantages of each here.

Do you want to learn more about the Leeds Method DNA analysis? In this post, learn exactly how to use this method to organize your fourth cousin DNA matches. You will also find out: What the Leeds Method in DNA actually is The benefits of using this strategy to cluster your DNA matches How you …

Did your Ancestry DNA not show Native American heritage in your results? In this post, learn the reasons why your Native American roots might not have shown up on your Ancestry results. We know how the saying goes: "DNA doesn't lie". But what does it mean when you know for sure that you have Native …

Do you want to know what MRCA means on Gedmatch? In this post, learn exactly what MRCA means, as well as how to use this information to understand your connection to your DNA matches. The term MRCA is most often found on the Gedmatch Autosomal One-to-One Comparison Tool. This is a very useful tool that …

Did you get 1% Native American DNA on your DNA results? What does it mean? In this post, learn what it means to find 1% of your DNA matches this region. The ethnicity estimate is one of the most popular reasons for DNA testing. Many people want to explore their ancestry, and believe that they …

Surprised to find Germanic DNA in your results? Learn which countries are in Germanic Europe, how you got this DNA. Plus, find your Germanic ancestors!

Have you seen your trace ancestry regions on 23andMe? In this post, learn what trace ancestry is and how to learn more about your ancestors from those areas. To many people, trace ancestry is the most exciting aspect of their DNA results. The trace regions are the most likely the ones that surprise us and …

Is it possible to use Ancestry DNA without taking a test? In this post, learn how to use Ancestry DNA to access the results of family members that have given you access. If you have not done an Ancestry DNA test, yet have family members who have, you might wonder if it's possible for you …

Do you want to if you have endogamy in your DNA matches? In this post, learn how to spot it, as well as see examples of endogamy so you can know what to look for in your DNA match list. In this article, you'll learn: There are several ways that people begin to suspect they …

Did your 23andMe results change? In this post, find out details about the latest 23andMe update and why your results might occasionally change. While it's exciting to see our Ancestry Composition Report change, it can be slightly disconcerting. Why is it changing, and does it mean the previous results were wrong? 23andMe likes to describe …

Wondering if the Ancestry DNA test is accurate? Whether you want to know about the accuracy of DNA matches or ethnicity estimate, this post is for you.

In this post, find out the differences between weighted and unweighted shared DNA, how this information is calculated and how to use it in researching your connection to your DNA matches.