In genetic genealogy, what does it mean when someone says they are “identical by” something…and what are those various somethings? In autosomal DNA, where your DNA on chromosomes 1-22 (and sometimes X) is compared to other people for matches of … Continue reading
Welcome to the concepts articles. This series presents the concepts of genetic genealogy, not the details. I have written a lot of detailed articles, and I’ve linked to them for those of you who want more. My suggestion would be … Continue reading
Sometimes we get caught up in the details of how DNA testing for genetic genealogy works and what it means. Then someone asks a simple conceptual question, and I have to step back and figure out how to not tell them … Continue reading
Before we evaluate matches at each of the four major vendors, FamilyTreeDNA, MyHeritage, Ancestry and 23andMe, let’s discuss what a DNA match is, what it means, and what it does NOT mean. A Match to Another Person Each of the … Continue reading
There has been recent discussion and confusion about the difference between pedigree collapse and endogamy. Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences and what it means to genealogists. Pedigree Collapse Pedigree collapse occurs when the same person/people appear … Continue reading
Happy Blogiversary! Yes, blogiversary is actually a real word for a blog’s birthday. It’s DNAeXplained’s 9th birthday and I nearly forgot. How could I??? What do you get a blog for its birthday anyway? History and Changes I remember the … Continue reading
Most people have never heard of a heteroplasmy – but you might have one. You Might Have a Heteroplasmy If… …You have no exact matches at the full sequence mitochondrial DNA level. A heteroplasmy is one of the first things … Continue reading
One of my readers asked why we don’t use close relatives for triangulation. This is a great question because not using close relatives for triangulation seems counter-intuitive. I used to ask my kids and eventually my students and customers if … Continue reading
There are two or three types of data that testers may be able to download from DNA testing sites. Genealogy customers need to periodically download as much as possible. Raw data files needed for transferring DNA files from the company … Continue reading
23andMe made a significant change about the time I was recording my RootsTech presentation about triangulation which provided examples at each vendor. Unfortunately, there was no notification to customers, so most people still aren’t aware. In the fall and winter … Continue reading
