Once an individual sharing your DNA is found, the genetic testing company will determine how much genetic information is shared.
The results will then reveal if they are related or not. More thorough testing is required to determine if matching DNA between two individuals was inherited from the same relative. This, however, does not mean that you and this individual are related. Note how the bolded portion of both strands is actually identical. For example, let’s say that we find another individual that has the following genetic composition: The next step is to try to find people who have matching DNA portions. The phasing process determines what portions you inherited from your mother and your father: Let’s say a section of your raw data is as follows:Ī/C A/T C/G G/C A/A G/G A/A C/A T/A T/T C/C A/C A/T This process uses raw DNA data to distinguish between the two pieces of a person’s genome inherited from each parent. The first step for DNA matching is phasing. But your genetic information does not tell us what portions you inherited from each. How does DNA match work?ĭNA is inherited by getting half of your genetic information from your mother and the other half from your father. We must factor in other information to find relatives in a process that will take time and may sometimes lead to dead ends.īut let us first discuss what a DNA match is and how it works. Not related at all? So, does this mean that you can share DNA and not be related? Shortly, yes. Depending on several factors that we will be discussing here, they can match DNA and establish if you are siblings, first cousins, distant cousins, or not related at all. To go further, they compare your DNA sample with that of every person in their database and estimate how closely you are related. DNA companies use member matching to identify other members from their database that are related to you. Simply put, a DNA match is an individual that shares some portions of their genetic composition with you. Check the length of shared DNA segments.Finding DNA match ancestors through lineage.DNA cousin matches and family history discovery.
Organizing and charting your DNA matches will help you effectively Research Like a Pro with DNA. If you know the branch of the family where you want to focus, start building the tree in that direction. Add your next closest match, and the next, and the next and so forth. If you don’t know who they are, follow the steps in this previous blog article: (Understanding and Using Your DNA Results – 4 Simple Steps)Ĥ. You may have to build your family tree out to where your DNA match connects with your ancestors. If you don’t know specific names, draw a placeholder for unknown persons.ģ. The advantage of this method is easy accessibility, no extra programs to learn, and you can arrange it any way you like.Ģ. –Click on Tree in the upper left corner of the home page, At the bottom of the drop-down menu, click on “Create and Manage Trees.” At the bottom of the page that opens, click on “Create a new tree.” If you are starting a new “Genetic Family Tree,” use the following instructions: This helps to simplify the view and help you focus on people that help verify the genetic connection to you and your ancestors. Or start a new tree that includes just your DNA matches and their direct ancestors. Make sure you have every living person in the family tree that you are currently working on marked as living, so their name is not visible to the public.Ģ. – Either work in your current family tree or start a new “Genetic Family Tree.”ġ. This will enable you to utilize all the data available to you.Ģ. The advantage of this type of chart is that you can add information from each DNA testing company to the boxes in your chart. Draw the lines in after you add the shapes it makes moving things around much easier.