Genetic genealogy tools

MyHeritage DNA AutoClusters | Finding Your Matches

MyHeritage DNA AutoClusters | Finding Your Matches

MyHeritage DNA AutoClusters tool can help you target the DNA matches you want to work with--and find unique matches who may not have tested anywhere else. Here's how Kelli used MyHeritage DNA's AutoCluster tool to do just that. MyHeritage DNA is one of many DNA testing services to which you can...

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Founder Effect | DNA and Endogamy

Founder Effect | DNA and Endogamy

Founder effect and endogamy are different, but they can occur concurrently in your family tree. Read more from Jayne about the founder effect, what it is, an example of it, and how it differs from endogamy. Both founder effect and endogamy can lead to reduced diversity in your DNA. However, they...

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Managing DNA Tests | How-to Tips

Managing DNA Tests | How-to Tips

If you are managing DNA tests for others, or are considering it, you may have questions about how it works. Kelli offers a quick how-to for managing multiple DNA kits in AncestryDNA, MyHeritage DNA, FamilyTree DNA, 23AndMe, and Living DNA. Managing DNA tests for your relatives can be a win-win...

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Shared cM Project | Now Add TWO Testers

Shared cM Project | Now Add TWO Testers

The Shared cM Project has a new feature which lets you enter the shared cM of two testers, rather than just one. This can narrow down a list of possible relationships to DNA matches while using siblings or cousins from the same generation. Learn more about how to use the updated feature. Have you...

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MyHeritage DNA Adds a New Filter

MyHeritage DNA Adds a New Filter

MyHeritage DNA has added a new filter which looks at shared DNA between you and a shared match. Read more about how this small tool is a big deal! Even small tools can make a big difference. MyHeritage is famous (or they should be!) for giving us multiple kinds of filters for our DNA matches to...

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AncestryDNA Sideview Assigns Matches to Mom or Dad

AncestryDNA Sideview Assigns Matches to Mom or Dad

AncestryDNA Sideview now assigns matches to your parents' families! This new feature helps answer one of the most frequently asked questions: “Which DNA matches are from my father vs my mother?” Mom’s side, dad’s side? Wonder no more. AncestryDNA announced its SideView™ technology only five months...

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How to Use Lucidchart | DNA & Genealogy

How to Use Lucidchart | DNA & Genealogy

How to use Lucidchart for DNA & genealogy? Here's a peek at how we use this online tool for creating descendancy charts and other family trees. I'm often asked what I use to create the beautiful, clear diagrams and charts in my DNA presentations and client reports. The answer is Lucidchart! I...

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AncestryDNA Chromosome Painter | Dig Deeper into DNA Ethnicity

AncestryDNA Chromosome Painter | Dig Deeper into DNA Ethnicity

Have you explored the AncestryDNA chromosome painter? This exciting new interactive feature, companion to their Ethnicity Inheritance feature and similarly fueled by AncestryDNA’s SideView™ technology, assigns your DNA ethnicity estimates from each parent to specific chromosomes. AncestryDNA has...

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The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation | DNA History

The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation | DNA History

What was the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation? It made DNA history by starting a pioneering genetic genealogy database. The SMGF is also part of OUR history. Enjoy these memories and pictures from the exciting, early days of using DNA to explore family history!

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MyHeritage DNA Advanced Tools: Worth $29 Unlock Fee?

MyHeritage DNA Advanced Tools: Worth $29 Unlock Fee?

Access to MyHeritage DNA advanced DNA tools requires a $29 unlock fee for those who transfer their DNA. What are those advanced DNA tools? Are they worth it? Do you have to pay the fee for each test you upload? We have answers. Many of you have transferred your DNA from another testing company...

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How to Join a Y DNA Surname Project

How to Join a Y DNA Surname Project

There are many reasons to join a Y DNA surname project (or start one!). As you build your family tree, a YDNA surname project can help you explore questions about paternity and distinguish between various branches of a family. Here’s how to join a surname project.

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DNA and WikiTree for Adoptees

DNA and WikiTree for Adoptees

Here’s how adoptees and others searching for birth families can use both DNA testing and the free WikiTree genealogy website to help reconstruct their biological family trees.

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Use WikiTree to Find DNA Cousins

Use WikiTree to Find DNA Cousins

Use WikiTree to identify potential DNA matches—genetic cousins. This variation on targeted testing can help you explore whether you’re related to a specific ancestor.

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Shared cM Project Histograms on DNA Painter

Shared cM Project Histograms on DNA Painter

The Shared cM Project now shows your DNA match relationship possibilities in an easy-to-understand chart (a histogram) on the DNA Painter website. Here’s how it can help you build your genetic family tree—and a caution about TWO types of data in the DNA Painter tool.

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