what do you tell your shared matches about GEDmatch?

Question

Often i want to ask my Ancestry DNA matches to upload somewhere with a chromosome browser.

I usually try to explain GEDmatch in 25 words or less.

Today i looked up GEDmatch on Wikipedia.  The Wikipedia entry doesn't seem to be a very good representation of what GEDmatch is, since it focuses so much on the cold case and catch-a-killer aspects.

First of all, does anyone have a nice little 'Here is GEDmatch' elevator speech that they wouldn't mind sharing?

Second, does anyone here contribute to Wikipedia and feel like helping the GEDmatch entry be more balanced with information on what it provides to family historians and genetic genealogists, not just law enforcement?

Answer 1

I tell them that with chromosome detail I can learn more about the way we are related, and that I will share what I learn with them.

I tell them the instructions are on the GEDmatch website and it is easy and free.  I also say I can help them with it, and even do the upload for them if they want me to.

I also tell them there has been some controversy about the site and briefly explain both sides of the issue.  Most people go ahead, and most give their permission for their listing to be available to law enforcement.

Comments

Thanks for the star, Shirlea.

Answer 2

I think the gist of what I tell them is that you can get more out of your test, and help others get more out of theirs by uploading your results to a site that tells you exactly which chromosomes you match on, as well as exactly where on that chromosome you match.

Then I just tell them the ones I've done, that it's either free or cheap, and why these sites let you do that for free or cheap.

I might also attach a link to something that explains how to do it, and/or one that explains about triangulation.

Plus, I'd tell them exactly the genetic genealogy problem I'd be trying to solve (or prove) by using that more detailed access to their information.

Answer 3

Hi Shirlea,

if you're interested in an alternative platform where you can work collaboratively with your DNA matches (in a similar way how we work together at WikiTree), please head over to Your DNA family which is currently in Release Candidate (RC) phase just prior to General Availability (GA).

The reason why I bring this up in your G2G post is that we're planning the same feature that GEDmatch offers (comparison of raw DNA data for the purpose of automatic triangulation, which we currently offer already for 23andMe exclusively.

So there will be future 2nd alternative to GEDmatch but with many more features on top.

A future integration with the WikiTree family trees is planned, depending on the API capability here at WT. Especially for an easy import as we also identify MRCA (most recent common ancestor) and common ancestor (CA) automatically.

DNA matches can join for free as "guests" similar to Ancestry's guest account feature. Otherwise the app is build on a subscription for the automatic triangulation, chromosome map, network graph and the discussion forum you get for each TG (triangulated group).

For everyone interested we do have screenshots and video available on our Facebook group Your DNA family FB.

Disclaimer: I'm the "brain" behind this DNA genealogy app

Comments

Has the 'Paid' plan have a cost yet?  I did not see it on the web-site

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We will set the price for the launch in comparison to other DNA genealogy tools out there (mainly GEDmatch) and also vs what the Direct-to-consumer companies like Ancestry and MyHeritage are charging.

When we add more functions to the app that differentiate us even more from what is available we will most likely also raise the price or come up with some other pricing model.

But for a Swiss army in DNA genealogy our price will be competitive and as long as the subscription is renewed the price is kept (grandfathered is the right term I think).

Thanks for this question and your interest in "Your DNA family"