DNA Explosion Part 2

This is Part 2 of the DNA Explosion.  There are new DNA tools coming all the time. That plus CeCe Moore’s workshop in August gives us a lot of new possibilities to share.  If you are a beginner, you can pass this by.  Otherwise, these are tools that can make your DNA pursuit easier.  We will discuss some at our monthly meeting on 9/17.

CeCe starts by defining triangulation which is the use of three matching DNA testers to identify a cluster or group.  There are two types.  Pedigree triangulation is matching family trees.  Segment triangulation is matching segments of DNA.  CeCe and also Diahan Southard promote Pedigree triangulation as the most efficient and effective way to form “genetic networks”. 

Genetic Networks are created using the shared match tools at Ancestry and other testing websites. 

To keep track of her information CeCe said she uses mostly the Note feature of AncestryDNA and a spiral notebook.  I am using the Note feature for the first time.  Before I avoided them because that info seemed hidden with no way to take out for analysis.  One help for this is the MedBetter Chrome extension (or add-in) described below.

Many people have been disappointed with the lack of tools at AncestryDNA.  Some are so disappointed that they write their own programs and provide them to everyone.  Everything I am describing is free unless noted.

Today I will mention two Chrome add-ins and some other programs.  A Chrome add-in is a program downloaded from the Chrome Store that works with the Chrome operating system.  They can’t change your DNA data or results but can change the way they are displayed. 

MedBetterDNA has been written by Devore Software.  It is only for AncestryDNA. I am one of the people who thought it was awkward to see the Notes feature.  MedBetter displays any Notes you have entered on the Main Match List page.  It also lets you remove the "no tree" folks from the Match list and filter hashtags that you have used in Notes.   To find this google “Chrome Store” then search for medbetterdna.

DNA Match Labeling is another Chrome add-in.  It is by DNA Central, Blaine Bettinger’s group.  Many people wanted a way to group Ancestry matches.  This add-in gives you 8 colored dots that display on the Match List.  You can use the colors to identify family lines or genetic networks.  To find this google “Chrome store” then search for DNA Match Labeling.

CeCe mentioned that Dana Leeds recently took CeCe's week-long class.  Then Dana developed a method of "color clustering" genetic networks. Some are calling this the Leeds Method.  At the time of our workshop CeCe hadn't had time to look at it but expects to like it.  It is well-explained in three posts at http://danaleeds.com/. It uses color on a spreadsheet to identify genetic networks.  There are also some posts at her blog http://theenthusiasticgenealogist.blogspot.com/. 

Instead of a notebook like CeCe, I use Excel spreadsheets.  If you aren't using spreadsheets and want to start, I will help.  It is especially useful if you want to sort your information.

Another brand-new tool is DNA Match Manager. This free tool from Heirloom Software lets you quickly and easily download your DNA match information from:

Ancestry (multiple tests supported)

23 & Me

Family Tree DNA

GedMatch (multiple tests supported)

This creates a .csv (comma-separated values) file which can be loaded into a spreadsheet.

Match Manager is fast.  It downloads tens of thousands of DNA matches from multiple sites in record time.  It replaces some older tools like Ancestry Helper.  Don’t use Ancestry Helper.  It takes all weekend.

As I said, this is new.  I had some trouble with it so ask for help if you go down this path.

To get the link to DNA Match Manager, go to https://heirloomsoftware.com/dna-match-manager/.  Fill out the form and they will email you the link.

DNA Painter is another new one.  It paints chromosome segments which is complicated.  The best feature is the shared cM tool which can help you to narrow down the possible relationships for a match based on the number of centimorgans you share with them.  Click on the “shared cM tool” link above to go straight to it.

There are three other programs: GedMatch (premium tools $10 per month), DNAgedcom ($5 per month) and Genome Mate Pro.  These are more complicated and we can investigate those with you as you progress.

I know this is all over-whelming.  When you are ready, there are Genies to help you.