Project 7: DNA

1. In the top menu, click DNA and select DNA Matches. By default, the names are arranged by relationship to you:
   • Column 1 = Parent/Child, Full Sibling, Close Family, 1st Cousin, 2nd Cousin, etc.
   • Column 2 = Relationship details and shared DNA segments. To learn more about the shared DNA with this person, click the corresponding gray info button.
   • Column 3 = Link to the public tree (if available) for the match person, and tree size
   • Column 4 = Options to add or edit relationships, groups, and notes.
2. Click a name in the matches list to display more information.
3. In the Trees tab (below the profile photo), a Common Ancestors box appears on the left, for you and the match, as well as a preview of the match's family tree, in pedigree form. In the preview, you can click names, expand the tree (upper right), or go to the tree (number link at the top).
4. In the Common Ancestors box, you can click "View Relationship" to see your relationship to the match person.
5. Below the Common Ancestors box, the Shared Surnames box may have one or more surname links you can click, showing a list of ancestors with that surname, in your tree or the match's tree. Click a surname link to see ancestor links with vital data.
6. Below the Shared Surnames box, the Ancestor Birth Locations box appears. You can do the following things here:
   • In the upper left, click Filter by tree and select whether to view birth locations for both trees, your match's tree, or your tree.
   • Click a colored pin to see ancestor links with vital data, a View in tree link, and links to the ancestor's spouse and children, if available.
   • Zoom the map view, using the plus and minus icons or the mouse wheel.

Working with Matches

1. On the main DNA match page, you can filter the DNA match list by clicking Filters (upper right) and selecting one of the entries ("Unviewed", "Common Ancestors", "Notes", etc.). You can also click any of the tabs for Trees, Shared DNA, Groups, Journeys, and Parent, to add further filter criteria.
2. To add a note for a match,
   a) Click "Add/edit note";
   b) Type the note in the window; and
   c) Click Save.
3. To send a message to the DNA match person,
   a) Click the three-dot icon (right side) and select Message (upper right);
   b) Type a subject and message; and
   c) Click Send.
4. To hide the match,
   a) Click the three-dot icon (right side) and select Hide match. Then click the Hide match button. You will still be able to see this cousin from the hidden matches group on your match list. See this article for details.
5. To search the list of matches for a name,
   a) Click Search (upper right);
   b) Type a surname or birth location, or both;
   c) If desired check the "Include similar surnames" box; and
   d) Click Search. To clear the search results and return to the original list, click the "Cancel" link (upper right).
6. To sort the list, click Sort (upper right) and select Relationship (close to distant) or Date (newest to oldest).

Resources

1. For more information on AncestryDNA shared matches, read this article.
   
   AC: AncestryDNA® Shared Matches


2. To learn more about Ancestry DNA matching, read these articles.
   
   AC: AncestryDNA Matches
   AC: Making the Most of AncestryDNA Matches
3. Learn more about matches by parent.
   
   AC: Using Ancestry SideView by Parent

1. In the Matches page, click By parent. This divides your matches by your maternal and paternal parents (left side). You can then click View matches to see the corresponding match list.
2. To switch the side of your family where the Parent 1 matches are, click By parent and select "Maternal" or "Paternal."
3. Common surnames on your maternal and paternal sides are shown in the tiles near the left. To see more surnames, click "View more." There are also tiles for Common Journeys and Regions by Parent.
4. To see matches that are linked to both sides of your family tree, scroll down to the Both Sides section (left side).
5. To see matches that are currently unassigned to a side of your tree (due to insufficient test information), scroll down to the Unassigned section (left side).
6. In the Matches page, click By parent.

ThruLines™ is an Ancestry feature that illustrates how you may be connected to a particular DNA matching person through a common ancestor.

1. In the top menu, click DNA and select ThruLines (or click By ancestor in the main DNA page). To learn about the purpose and characteristics of ThruLines, click the link in the first paragraph.

2. In the main ThruLines screen, hover over a tile to see summary info, and then click the tile. A ThruLines diagram is displayed, showing yourself at the bottom, with your father just above (or a number link if extra generations are included), a row of children, and the ancestor. Evaluate buttons and links for DNA matches, if any, are included for each ancestor. See Choice B for more information on DNA matches.
3. You can move a wide diagram by dragging the lower part of it to the left or right. To display the generations in a number link, click the number; and click again to hide the generations.
4. Click an Evaluate button or ancestor name. A window opens, displaying the following information:
   • Trees Linked to DNA Matches—Shows which member trees linked to your DNA matches have identified relationships shown in ThruLines, including tree owner profiles.
   • Ancestry Member Trees—Shows other member trees that have identified relationships shown in ThruLines, including tree owner profiles.
5. To filter the ThruLines list, click Filter by: (upper right) and select Potential ancestors, Ancestors from your linked tree, Maternal ancestors or Paternal ancestors.
6. To see DNA match information,
   a) Below an ancestor's name, click a DNA Matches link; or
   b) Click a cousin match circle to display the "Trees" view. To view the profile for the cousin (or for the person managing the cousin's DNA test), click the name link at the top.
7. Click the "Shared DNA" link. A window appears with the following information:
   • The number of shared DNA segments
   • The length in centimorgans of the shared DNA segments (higher number means a closer relationship)
   • Percentage table, showing the likelihood of your relationship to the target person based on centimorgans.

List View

1. Near the top of the ThruLines page, click the List icon.
2. Click a name tab (or matches link) to see DNA matches for the selected ancestor. Column 1 = match name and link to profile; Column 2 = DNA relationship and link; Column 3 = tree relationship and tree size.
3. Click the cM (centimorgans) link to learn more about the shared DNA characteristics with the matching person.
4. Click View Relationship to see a diagram with family relationship between you and the DNA match.

1. In the DNA Matches screen, click the By location tab. If DNA match persons have added their locations, their pins will appear on the world map.
2. Scroll the map to see other locations; click the plus or minus icons or use the mouse wheel to zoom the view; or click the house icon to return to the original view.
3. To see more information about DNA match persons, click a pin on the map (with a photo or initials). This opens person tiles you can click to see the DNA relationship window for you and that person. For details about what appears on this screen, see Choice F below.
4. If a number circle appears, click it to reveal additional pins you can explore.
5. To filter the matches that appear on the map, click Filter (upper left). You can check any of the relationships in the menu to show them on the map: All, You, Close Family, 2nd Cousins, 3rd Cousins, or 4th Cousins.

Resources

1. For more information on DNA ThruLines, read the article or watch the video.
   
   AC: AncestryDNA® ThruLines™
   ThruLines™ Q&A—37:05 - 2019
   
   
   


2. Get tips on working with ThruLines in this video.
   
   AC—Ancestry® Genealogist Christa Cowan Works with ThruLines™—19:26 - 2020