Blaine Bettinger's shared cM chart available at the Autosomal DNA Statistics page of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy Wiki. I use this all the time when I am analyzing my AncestryDNA matches. Although AncestryDNA refuses to offer a chromosome browser, they do offer some helpful bits of information. You can't see where you share DNA with any given cousin match, but you can see the total cM shared and how many segments shared. A typical scenario: no tree, no chromosome browser, but at least I can see that Ancestry is confident of this match and it tells me how much DNA is estimated to be shared. AncestryDNA estimated 4th cousin (avg 31 cM shared according to chart above), but it could be anything from a 1st cousin 2x's removed to a 4th cousin 1x's removed, but too much for a 5th cousin (unless there are other people you share that you don't know about). This chart is very helpful to immediately determine a likely set of possible relationships. I like that it includes both the average amount shared as well as includes the range of possible shared cM. © 2017 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.
Digital documents form the backbone of modern genealogy research. The hardest part remains, however, in finding free resources. Luckily, many U.S. states have put a good deal of effort into making their records freely accessible online
MyHeritage has released an update to their DNA matching system which has greatly improved the number and accuracy of matches, and added a much requested chromosome browser.
DNA testing is a great tool for genealogy, but there are some things that you have to know before you take the test.
As part of my post " Is DNA the 'Magic Bullet' for OGs ," I'm providing another Evernote form for Freebie Friday. Thi...
We share six things you need to know about the recent AncestryDNA update to get the most out of the new tools for learning more about your ancestors.
Are you struggling to make sense of confusing DNA results? Or perhaps trying to figure out which test is the most accurate? Here's what you need to know.
Looking for tools to help with your DNA research? Check out these four awesome genetic genealogy tools that I can't live without!
Are you struggling to make sense of confusing DNA results? Or perhaps trying to figure out which test is the most accurate? Here's what you need to know.
UPDATE: Some suggestions in posts may no longer be available for AncestryDNA results. This is too massive and changing too fast for me to up...
MyHeritage has announced a new genealogy tool that will allow its DNA users to more easily discover how they may be related to their genetic matches. This technology, called the Theory of Family Relativity™, uses family tree information and historical records from a variety of sources to attempt to find and display a common ancestor for matching individuals in the MyHeritage DNA database. MyHeritage has announced a new genealogy tool that will allow its DNA users to more easily discover how they may be related to their genetic matches. This technology, called the Theory of Family Relativity™, uses family tree information and historical records from a variety of sources to attempt to find and display a common ancestor for matching individuals in the MyHeritage DNA database.
Please remember that your genes are only one part of the picture when it comes to your actual health and that the science behind these reports is developing all of the time. The author of this article, Matthew Gaskill, has taken the time to outline some warnings. Please take them seriously.
Many years ago when I was first starting to research my family, I visited the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. I had some spe...
Have you taken the Ancestry DNA test and now you’re wondering what to do with your results? Besides viewing your ethnicity estimate, what else can you do to get the most bang for your buck? T…
The X match One of the most exciting things about working with DNA testing in genealogy is how fast things are changing, and how much we can learn with new tools that are becoming available. And boy did that make The Legal Genealogist's heart glad this past week. Because we're pretty confident no
***Please note that this post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you decide to purchase a product/service. This does not cost you extra. Be assured I only recommend products/services that I use and think you would like too. Read my disclosure policy and privacy policy. You want to find your ancestors. But let’s face it. Researching genealogy can be HARD. It can be tricky and every genealogist has at least one “brick wall”. I believe researching your genealogy does not have to be overwhelming. All you need is a solid plan, a genealogy toolbox, and the knowledge to use those tools. Now imagine finding the puzzle pieces that are your family’s history and putting them together to create your family tree. Or imagine finding the puzzle pieces in the records to solve a family mystery. When you become a member of the Are You My Cousin? community, you will get the resources and tools to confidently and efficiently research your ancestors so that you can connect with your own personal identity within your family. Sign up for the (Free) updates on the blog to stay connected. (No fluff, I promise.) I grew up attending family reunions and hearing the family stories and lore. I heard the stories, but never really listened. I told myself, “One day, I’ll ask about that.” Fast forward to a more recent time when my family’s older generation is no longer with us or their memories are lost to dementia. Had I lost the chance to learn more about my family’s history and where we came from? Fortunately, the answer was No! Genealogy research was the answer. I quickly realized researching genealogy was like trying to assemble the world’s biggest jigsaw puzzle….only I had to find the puzzle pieces first before I could put them together! But where and how could I find information (or puzzle pieces) of my ancestors’ lives? I began to read and study. I researched how to research my genealogy. I collected oral histories. I researched ancestors at state archives and small rural courthouses. I made mistakes (a lot), but piece by piece I began gathering my puzzle pieces and placing them in our family tree. I learned strategies for researching traditional and nontraditional record sources and have discovered techniques for finding the location of needed record sources. My family’s stories and history are not lost ( and neither are yours!). The answers to our genealogy questions are there, we just have to know how to find them. How I Can Help YOU Having a good plan and finding the resources you need to execute your research plan will get you started to successful research. I created for you a Genealogy Resources page just for you as well as genealogy tips videos. If you are struggling to identify old family photographs, I created Identify Your Ancestors In That Photograph: Strategies to Analyze and Determine Who Is In Your Family Photos. “After both my parents died, I thought my links to my family history were lost forever. I turned to a genealogy website to try to track down information about my heritage, and found evidence that I qualified to be a Daughter of the American Revolution. Knowing that the official paperwork would require documentation of my ancestors, I turned to Lisa Lisson (no relation) for assistance. She helped track down the links between my Patriot ancestor and me, and helped me to submit my documents to become a Daughter of the American Revolution. Lisa also sent me wonderful detail-filled reports on different members of my family. I have built quite a collection of reprints of family history books based on the sources she found. Lisa’s reports and my book collection will be a resource for my young nephews when they get older and begin asking about where they came from. I can share stories of Puritans and farmers and witchcraft and Irish butchers and Indian raids and pioneers!” – Kathleen L. Grab a copy of The Big Genie List for loads of genealogy resources, databases and educational opportunities to assist you in your search to find your ancestors. (It’s Free!). I truly care about your genealogy research and seeing you succeed. What is your biggest challenge to your research right now? Contact me through the blog or email me at [email protected]. I look forward to supporting you in your genealogy research! Wondering where to start? Let me suggest these popular posts:
UPDATE: I no longer recommend testing at AncestryDNA. Currently, there are severe limitations to the tools they offer and your options for t...
Are you struggling to make sense of confusing DNA results? Or perhaps trying to figure out which test is the most accurate? Here's what you need to know.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see what's really on all those old family photo negatives or slides you've been carefully collecting and storing? If so, you might be ready to try out a negative scanner app (also known as a film scanner app). These free apps are designed to quickly scan old black and white and color film negatives and positive slides and turn them into digital photos. Wouldn’t it be nice to see what's really on all those old family photo negatives or slides you've been carefully collecting and storing? If so, you might be ready to try out a negative scanner app (also known as a film scanner app). These free apps are designed to quickly scan old black and white and color film negatives and positive slides and turn them into digital photos.
Updated: As usual, I have continued to modify my form and I find that some areas I don’t use the way that I thought I would. I also found a few other things that I wanted to keep track of, so…
(Update 2020) When genealogists take an ancestry DNA test, they are looking for more than just their ethnicity results. They are also very interested in receiving information on other people who have…
(Update 2020) When genealogists take an ancestry DNA test, they are looking for more than just their ethnicity results. They are also very interested in receiving information on other people who have…
Where do you fit in with your DNA matches? Triangulating a known relationship with unknown matches can reveal the answers. We’ll show you how to do it.
EDITOR: Last summer while co-teaching a DNA course at IGHR, one of the students in the class had some questions about a mystery she was trying to solve in her own family. While discussing the brick wall, Lauren McGuire showed… Continue reading →
Are you struggling to make sense of confusing DNA results? Or perhaps trying to figure out which test is the most accurate? Here's what you need to know.
Yes, free genealogy sites do exist. Here's how to avoid spending money on ancestry research without limiting your tree.
In 1879 the U.S. government asked the states to take a semi-decennial census in 1885 - in addition to the upcoming 1880 and 1890 censuses - with the promise that they would cover 50% of the costs of the undertaking.
Genetic genealogy has become a family history necessity. Not because it can solve all of your brick wall problems—it can’t. Not because it acts as a quick substitute for traditional research—it doesn’…
What if you could transform Cyndi's List into an even more valuable online research tool than it already is? I’ll share a quick experiment that helped me do just that.
How much genetic material do you share with your biological relatives? Take a look at the family tree below and the figure in the red box is the percentage of DNA your body has in common with your blood relatives. For example, your first cousin has 12.5% of the genes you do (implying, inversely, that 87.5% of their genes are different). Your third cousin twice removed, on the other hand, would have only 0.195% of the same genes, meaning 99.805% of their DNA would be different. This assumes, of course, that you have no double relations in your family tree (e.g., sharing a great-great grandmother from two sides of your family tree).
We’re introducing GEDmatch — one of the most popular tools to track down your family members and family history using raw DNA data files.
The top 25 Irish genealogy online record collections. These are the largest online collections for Irish genealogy research.
If you have German ancestors, chances are you've encountered some challenges trying to track them down. Changes in jurisdiction and borders, lack of central record keeping, foreign language websites and Old German script are just a few areas that trip up many family historians. This guide will help you overcome these hurdles and discover free resources.
This guide provides insight into the 23andMe Ancestry Composition Tools, and how to use your ethnicity estimate results to aid in genealogical research.
RootsFinder is a free family tree site that incorporates DNA test results, photos, & other media & includes hints from free & subscription tree sites.
This is the third article in a series about DNA Painter. To know DNA Painter is to love DNA Painter! Trust me! The first two articles are: DNA Painter – Chromosome Sudoku for Genetic Genealogy Addi…
Have you ever heard of foot shape genealogy? It is a concept out of the 19th century that still has some adherents today. It is based on the belief that the shape of your foot can tell you one of five ancient ethnic groups to which your ancestors belonged. Here is what you need to know about it.
UPDATE: I no longer recommend testing at AncestryDNA. Currently, there are severe limitations to the tools they offer and your options for t...
What, exactly, is an autosomal DNA match? Answer: It’s Relative I’m sorry, I just had to say that. But truthfully, it is. I know this sounds like a very basic question, and it is, but the answer s…
UPDATE: I no longer recommend testing at AncestryDNA. Currently, there are severe limitations to the tools they offer and your options for t...
