These notes are for participants in the Society of Australian Genealogists' program, Analysing your AncestryDNA results. Others are welcome to use these notes for their personal research. Please contact me at chrisw9953[at]gmail[dot]com for other uses. I'll strive to update the notes as there are further developments or my understanding of the area grows.

AncestryDNA is autosomal testing - often called cousinship testing. You can read more about atDNA testing at Louise Coakley's excellent site - click HERE. Here's a pedigree chart provided by Louise. Any one of your ancestors could have passed atDNA down to you but, the more distant the ancestor, the less likely you'll have some of their atDNA.

You don't need to know a lot of terminology but here are some you need to understand-

It's essential that you get the relationship between the tester and the "cousin" the atDNA is shared with correct. So the "cousinship chart" is important to understand and allows you to work out the "most recent common ancestor/s" (MRCA). You can read more at the ISOGG wiki HERE.

The concept of full, half and removed relationships is essential to understand when looking at your atDNA matches. There's an excellent explanation with lots of great visuals in a post from "Family Locket". You can access it HERE.

Diagram provided by Family Locket

https://www.devonfhs.org.uk/pdfs/tools/eichhorn-rlationship-chart.pdf

As we move through the course, we'll hear a lot about MPE (misattributed parentage events), NPE (non paternal events) and unexpected parentage.

When working with our AncestryDNA matches, we're looking for "tree triangulation" which is discussed at the ISOGG wiki HERE.

Many of us find that we have a genetic pedigree along with a social pedigree for all sorts of reasons. For me, the biological father of my grandfather was Cornelius Bray (genetic pedigree) but he was raised by his step father James Woodland (social pedigree). With our DNA research, we are looking only at the genetic pedigree.

AncestryDNA is the focus of our program but the research methodology we're following can be applied to all of the testing sites and GEDmatch.com. There's no need to do any transfers for the program but you may find useful matches at MyHeritage.

The points in this slide are important. Some that don't understand what we do as genetic genealogists think we don't use traditional family history research. As you move through the program, you'll see that having good family history research skills are essential to work with DNA.

The best way to get the most out of the program is to identify your DNA dilemma and develop a plan for addressing it. The plan doesn't have to be sophisticated but is best written. Your plan will evolve as your research progresses. If you have a DNA dilemma, you could start by jotting down a few points and build on that as you move through the program. Here’s a simple example-

Who’s the father of my paternal grandfather?
He was born in 1891 in Newcastle but his father isn’t shown on his birth certificate and his mother wasn’t married at the time.
Traditional family history research has not provided any evidence and there’s no information in the family.
I’ve tested at AncestryDNA.
Where to from here?

As I've worked more with genetic genealogy, the number of testing companies and testers has grown and more tools have become available. It's become clear that there are research methodologies that work best for me. It seems that the old 80/20 rule applies ie 80% of the results for 20% of the effort when working on the left hand side of the chart below and 20% of the results for 80% of the effort when working on the right hand side.

In this program, we're working in the left had side of this framework. The left hand side works best for research back to your 2nd or 3rd great-grandparent and back to the early to mid 1800s and requires a good understanding of tree triangulation. On the right hand side, we're using all the tools in the genetic genealogists tool box generally for more distant relationships and further back in time. We're working at the chromosome level often looking for segment triangulation with our atDNA matches. We're also looking at other types of DNA - Y-DNA, X-DNA and mtDNA. Once you've comfortable researching in the left hand side, it's time to move to the next learning phase on the right hand side of this framework. It's taken me five years to feel (tentatively) comfortable working on the right hand side.

So here are the key points that I'd like you to take forward over the next few months!

And the three prong approach that we'll cover is a systematic way of working with your AncestryDNA matches that we enthusiasts have used repeatedly over the last couple of years with good results. We hope you find the same and it allows you to understand how you are related to all those unknown "cousins" on your match list and, along the way, some of your brickwall come crashing down as well!

Working with AncestryDNA

These are three key areas on your AncestryDNA home page to be familiar with - Discover Your DNA Story, View All DNA Matches and Explore ThruLines. Remember that selecting "DNA" in the tool bar will always take you back to this home page.

Ethnicity Estimates

Remember that your ethnicity estimates are just that ESTIMATES. Amongst all the testing companies, my AncestryDNA estimates seem to be the most reliable. Your estimates will change over time as the database grows, reference groups grow and reporting regions grow. The ethnicity estimates are useful to direct your research but remember they are GUIDELINES and not TRAMLINES!

Viewing your DNA Matches

Here are some key messages from the presentation-

AncestryDNA's SideView allows you to divide your matches between those on your paternal and maternal lines. You can read more HERE.
The relationships shown are predicted relationships and, other than for a parent/child or full sibling, there are ranges of relationships for each of your matches.
Alway consider the range of possible relationships with your matches.
The smaller the shared DNA with your match, the greater the number of potential relationships.
You're interested in the shared DNA, number of segments and longest segment that you share with your match. It's also useful to think about the age of your match as this may kelp you work out your potential relationship.
Endogamy, close relationships and multiple relationships will impact on the shared DNA.
You can read about AncestryDNA's match categories and how much DNA you'll share with each HERE.
The shared matches with your match are the most powerful information for solving your DNA dilemmas. Remember that you'll only see shared matches when both of you share more than 20cM with the other "cousin".
You can use the filter, search and sort functions across all your matches or at the match level.

We all need to be prepared for surprises when looking at our DNA matches. In 2019, a well respected US based generic genealogist reported that 1 in 4 people who took a DNA test found a case of unexpected parentage between themselves and their great grandparents. That's between you and your closes 14 ancestors. So in our group of 30, that could be 7 people!

Exploring ThruLines

ThruLines and "Common Ancestors" shown for your DNA matches are two ways of looking at the same thing. Remember that Ancestry will suggest potential relationship and common ancestors but you need to evaluate, evaluate, evaluate!

Let's talk tree terminology!

Genetic/biological v social/known pedigree

The further you go back with your genetic research, the more likely you are to find "unexpected parentage". When working with DNA, you are researching your genetic pedigree and this is what you should be recording in your tree to get the full benefit of your DNA research. If it's a sensitive matter, you can make the tree private searchable or unsearchable at ancestry.com. Note that the Thruline and Common Ancestor features of AncestryDNA will ONLY work if your AncestryDNA test is attached to a public or private, searchable tree.

The biological father of my grandfather, James Woodlands, was Cornelius Bray. So Cornelius Bray and his ancestors appear in my genetic/biological tree. James's step father was James Woodland and he appears in my social/known pedigree.

You can record both the genetic/biological and social/known relationships in your tree but ensure that the genetic/biological is the preferred view.

Family view v pedigree view of a tree

Click HERE to read about the differences in ancestry.com.

Public v private and private searchable v private unsearchable trees on ancestry.com

Click HERE for all the help you'll need to maintain your tree at ancestry.com.

Click HERE to read about family tree privacy at ancestry.com.

When you're looking at your AncestryDNA matches, you'll see if your match has a public or private (searchable) tree linked to their test. Unlinked tree is a public tree that's not linked to the match's DNA test. No tree mean that your match doesn't have a tree at ancestry.com or it's a private unsearchable tree.

Remember to check your match's profile at ancestry.com as they often have other (useful) trees that you can use.

Shared matches reported at AncestryDNA

The matches that you share with your AncestryDNA "cousin" can help you work out the common ancestors between you and the "cousin". BUT it's important to understand that all AncestryDNA is reporting is that the shared march is appealing on both your match list and the AncestryDNA "cousin's" match list.

You can ONLY see which matches you share with 4th cousins and closer. So you must share 20cM or more with your AncestryDNA "cousin" and the shared match and the AncestryDNA "cousin" must share 20cM or more with the shared match.

Here's an example from my own match list. I share 31cM of DNA with Bill. He's my 3C1R on my maternal M7 Clancy and M8 Flaven lines. All our shared matches are on that line except Robyn. I share 43cM of DNA with Robyn. She's my 4C on paternal P5 Gersbach line. Bill and Robyn share common ancestors on their Luke/Lawrence line. We don't all share common ancestors. We just all shared matches!

AND remember that I must share 20cM of DNA or more with Bill and Robyn and Bill and Robyn must share more than 20cM of DNA for us to appear on each other's match lists at AncestryDNA.

You can see a fuller explanation of the example HERE.

Activities

Check your public profile taking particular note of trees that can be viewed - click HERE for instructions. I have many trees but only one is searchable and viewable by the public.
Is your AncestryDNA test linked correctly to a public or private searchable tree? Click HERE for instructions.
Have you identified Parent 1 and Parent 2 to split your matches into the paternal and maternal sides? Click HERE for instructions.
Why would you want to share your AncestryDNA results? Click HERE for instructions on sharing your results. Click HERE for instructions on accessing another AncestryDNA test on your account. IMPORTANT NOTE: When you share your AncestryDNA results, please be mindful that the other person can see all the details for each of your matches including any notes that you've made.
Why would you want to download your DNA Data? Click HERE for instructions.
In the pedigree view of your tree, make sure that your biological ancestors are shown and that the 3 icons are ON for your DNA discoveries - as shown in the first image below. IMPORTANT NOTE: This feature works for your AncestryDNA test and those that you manage through your Ancestry account. It also works in some other situations eg if you have collaborator access and the AncestryDNA test is linked to a tree on your account and, in some circumstances, where you have collaborator access and the AncestryDNA test is linked to a public tree on the tester's Ancestry account.
From your traditional research, what do you expect your ethnicity estimates will be? How does this compare to your ethnicity estimates at AncestryDNA?
Can you connect a DNA match to your tree? Click HERE for a video demonstration. PLEASE NOTE this video uses an old version of AncestryDNA but is still useful to explain the concept. You should now go to your matches page where you will see "CONNECT TO TREE" to bring up the option to find the match in the tree linked to your AncestryDNA test.
Can you add a relationship to your top three known DNA matches? Click HERE for instructions. HERE's some other useful tips.
(a) Use the filters to get a list all your unviewed matches with common ancestors. (b) Sort your match list by date and then filter by close matches. How many close matches have you had in the last 7 days?
Click HERE to read about grouping and filtering your AncestryDNA matches. Click HERE to watch a thirty minute video I've recorded on the Leeds Method and my "twisted" Leeds Method.
Attach a "DNA Match" tag to your closest DNA match (other than your child or grandchild) and a "Common DNA Ancestor" tag to your MRCA (most recent common ancestors). Do you need to use "DNA Connection" tags to connect the match and MRCA? Click HERE to read about "MyTreeTags".
Click HERE to learn about ThruLines. Filter ThruLines for "Potential Ancestors". Review the top two to see if there's any useful information.
Identify the relationships labelled A to G in the second image below. Click HERE to read about full, half and removed relationships.

Tips and techniques for working with AncestryDNA

"Know your tree and know your matches"

1. Who should I test to solve my DNA dilemma?

Be strategic in testing and analysis. Ask for access as a collaborator or manager.

Always test the earlier generation.
Test/analyse Mum and Dad's results before the children.
If you can only test/analyse one parent, test all the children and use to analyse the untested parental line.
Can't test a parent, what about their siblings or their children?
Consider testing full and half cousins near and far.

2. How should I work through my DNA match list?

Start at your largest DNA match or your largest DNA match in a group and work out how they are related.
Remember that DNA doesn't lie but historical records can record information that isn't genetically accurate.
"Prove your pedigree" commencing with your parents and working back by generations.

3. What should I ask a DNA match without a tree who might be able to help me solve my DNA dilemma?

See if you can use shared matches to see your common ancestral line.
Message matches suggesting the line you might have in common and ask if they-

have a public tree or
will share details of the birth and marriage dates and locations of their grandparents.

Be aware that you get a low response rate to messages at AncestryDNA but the sooner you message after the match appears, the more likely you are to get a response.
Think of using social media and other public information to research matches.

4. Link your AncestryDNA test to a public or private searchable tree

Even if it's only a pedigree tree.
It must be your genetic and not social pedigree.
You can include researched "floating branches" in your tree.

You can read about "hanging branches" HERE. Click HERE to find out how to upload and download trees. Click HERE to find out about privacy settings for trees

5. Sharing AncestryDNA tests

Looking at relationships through another lens and/or
Finding new matches

If someone tests at AncestryDNA and doesn't have an Ancestry account, you can offer to be manager or collaborator of their AncestryDNA test.

You can read more about sharing AncestryDNA tests HERE.

6. Using AncestryDNA custom groups to cluster your matches - Module 2

"Builds on your known DNA matches to the possible relationship with unknown matches"

Decide on your groups but always be systematic in grouping
Remember groups can always be altered or deleted
Alphabetic grouping by family name rarely works

You can read my approach to "grouping" HERE and HERE. Click HERE to watch a 30 minute video I've recorded on the Leeds Method and my "twisted" Leeds Method.

7. Add a "hanging branch" for a DNA match to your tree - Module 3

The goal is to find the MRCA with the match over time. You can read about "hanging branches" HERE.

8. Build "quick and dirty"(Q&D) private, unsearchable research trees at Ancestry - Module 3

The goal is to accumulate evidence to solve a DNA dilemma (over time). This is a good approach when working with adoptees and assisting other researchers. You can read about building Q&D research trees HERE.

9. Shared matches at AncestryDNA doesn't necessarily mean shared ancestor

You can read about shared matches HERE.

10. Check DNA Discoveries are linked to your profile on the tree connected to your AncestryDNA test

See Activity 6 above.

11. Connecting more than one AncestryDNA test to your tree

See Activity 8 above.

12. DNA matches split up by parent

While AncestryDNA states this new feature is still in the testing stage, we've found it highly reliable and divides most matches by side without you needing to do anything other than identifying which is your paternal and maternal side. Use the link below to more fully understand how matches are split into the Parent 1, Parent 2, Both Sides and Unassigned groups.

Useful references-

AncestryDNA - DNA matches split by parent

The DNA Geek - AncestryDNA's SideView assigns matches to parent side

Important note about unassigned matches from AncestryDNA: "If a match appears in this category, it could be because their test was processed after our last update (April 2022) or because we don't have enough information to assign them to one parent or the other.

You may see updates in the future, in which case some unassigned matches may be assigned to a side."

13. Privacy is in the tester's hands

Here are a few words from Ancestry on this important topic - Link to video.

When taking a DNA test, your test name will approve on the match lists of thousands of "DNA cousins" around the world. You should confide whether you want your known name or an "anonymised" name to be shown. You can change the test name at AncestryDNA under Settings on your DNA home page.

You can also choose not to be lasted as an AncestryDNA match, but this option prevents you seeing your matches. Fortunately, the feature can be switched on and off, providing more control over your privacy. You can read more about this feature HERE.

Look at your AncestryDNA home page to check the name shown to matches and the person the test is linked to in public and private searchable trees. You can read about Ancestry's privacy philosophy HERE.

An important reminder - If you want to completely anonymise your AncestryDNA test, anonymise your name and don't link the test to a tree at Ancestry. You should only share your test results with others as a viewer.

14. How strong is the proof?

My view is that the standard of proof required depends very much on the situation. "Beyond reasonable doubt" is required for a parent/child relationship. The standard might lower to "balance of probabilities" for a two times great-grandparent. Remember that one 7cM match is "insufficient" proof of and relationship. This chart covers the evidence generally required based on the relationship to the tester.

The Foundlings and The Deserter's Tale by Nathan Dylan Goodwin - https://www.nathandylangoodwin.com/foundlings
Venator Cold Case series by Nathan Dylan Goodwin - https://www.nathandylangoodwin.com/venator-cold-case-series
I know who you are by Barbara Rae-Venter - https://www.amazon.com/Know-Who-You-Are-Unmasked-ebook/dp/B09ZSTJXL1
The Forever Witness by Edward Humes - https://www.amazon.com/Forever-Witness-Genealogy-Solved-Double/dp/1524746274
Tell No One by Brendan Watkins - https://www.brendanwatkins.com.au
The Accidental Archivist by Angela Bier - https://www.amazon.com.au/Accidental-Archivist-Angela-Bier/dp/1952439353
The Gift at BBC Sounds - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gd2dgb

SAG's DNA activities

Check the events calendar HERE for upcoming events
For SAG members, check our the members area HERE for recordings of DNA stories at Hang Outs and Let's Talk about DNA