Mossie's Musings

In July 2025, AncestryDNA introduced a powerful new feature - Matches by Cluster - that helps us visualise how DNA matches relate both to the tester and to each other. Released as part of the Pro Tools suite and currently in Beta, this is an important step forward for family historians looking to organise and interpret their genetic matches. Clustering itself isn’t new in genetic genealogy. MyHeritage has offered AutoClusters since 2019. Third-party tools such as GeneticAffairs AutoClusters, DNA Painter’s Cluster Auto Painter (CAP), and GEDmatch Tier 1 Clustering have been available for years. The key difference is that clustering is now built directly into AncestryDNA, giving users of the world’s largest consumer DNA database the convenience of analysis without exporting data elsewhere. Understanding clustering and its benefits A cluster displays matches who share DNA with both the tester and each other - often pointing to a shared ancestral line. Instead of analysing matches one by o...

Revised version: June 2025 Welcome to this comprehensive guide to working with your AncestryDNA results. These notes accompany the Society of Australian Genealogists’ webinar  “First Look at AncestryDNA”  and are intended to support individuals who are beginning to explore the use of autosomal DNA in their family history research. The content is regularly updated to reflect changes in available tools and improvements in understanding.  If you would like to reuse this material beyond personal research, please contact me at  chrisw9953[at]gmail[dot]com .  AncestryDNA offers a range of features that can assist researchers in identifying biological relationships, confirming lineages, and uncovering new connections. However, the effective use of DNA evidence requires more than just receiving test results - it involves a clear understanding of genetic concepts, thoughtful analysis and careful integration with documentary research. To help you navigate, here’s a quick ...