I learn best by reading (and taking copious notes). Here are our favorite books, browser bookmarks, and other resources you may find useful!
Reading List
- Genetic Genealogy Reading List—So you just got your first DNA test results back. What does it mean? This is a reading list of the best on-line resources we found when we were asking the same question.
Autosomal DNA Match Statistics
- The Shared cM Project—”The Shared cM Project is a collaborative data collection and analysis project created to understand the ranges of shared centiMorgans associated with various known relationships.”
- The Shared cM Project tool—A calculator that displays the likely relationships for a shared centiMorgan amount, based on The Shared cM Project.
- Shared cM Project Graph—An interactive graph that displays the likely relationships for a shared centiMorgan amount, based on The Shared cM Project.
- How Many TGs From Distant Ancestors?—This table lists the average centiMorgans per triangulation segment, and average and range of shared centiMorgans for each generation back.
- ISOGG, Relationship prediction chart based on shared autosomal DNA—This spreadsheet lists the probability histogram for relationships from 1st cousin 1x removed to 11th cousin 1x removed for a shared centiMorgan amount.
- ISOGG, Autosomal DNA statistics—”Autosomal DNA statistics describe the connection between the genealogical relationship between two people and the amount of autosomal DNA which they share.”
- ISOGG, Cousin statistics—”This article reports some relevant cousin statistics.”
- The Small Segment Debate Is Over—Explains why genetic genealogy companies have increased the segment length considered a match to 6cM-8cM.
DNA Match Analysis Software (we actually use)
- What Are the Odds? [website]—”WATO is designed to help you figure out where someone, called the target, might fit into a known family tree by using the amount of DNA they share with people in that tree.”
DNA Match Clustering Software (we actually use)
Note: We started with Genetic Affairs, and switched to Shared Clustering as we progressed. These tools and others like them are still new, and still developing rapidly. So it is worth following the news about several of them to learn of new features, as well as which testing services are supported. As an on-line tool, Genetic Affairs is very simple to use, but slower to return the results. Shared Clustering provides more control, is very fast, and free.
- Genetic Affairs [website]—”… offers the AutoCluster tool which groups together your DNA matches into clusters of matches that most likely descend from common ancestors.” Genetic Affairs is a pay-as-you-go service.
- Shared Clustering [Windows]—”… a tool that allows an advanced or expert genetic genealogist to extract more information — and more useful information — from AncestryDNA shared match lists.” You can also use this tool to make bulk changes to the AncestryDNA test groups (starred, custom groups) and notes, including applying these same changes to other tests you manage. Shared Clustering is open-source, and free. We use VirtualBox to run Shared Clustering on macOS.