Has anyone had success in sharing and comparing DNA results with relatives?

Question

Hi, has anyone had success in collaborating with relatives who have taken DNA tests? My parents have large families and quite a few members have taken DNA tests. My sister and parents have given me access to their DNA results but I'd like to compare with those who are outside of our immediate family. I suspect some of my relatives would not just hand over their raw DNA results (and I wouldn't blame them!). Anyone know of a way to "share and compare"? Thanks!

Comments

Hi, I’m on AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, MyHeritage And Gedmatch along with my brother. I manage a total of four kits with more to come. My dna and my brother’s are open to compare in these. I loaded my Haplogroups and gedmatch # here. It should show soon! I’m working on my tree now.

My sons dna match to a cousin lead to the trail of the burial location of our long lost paternal 3rd and 4th great grandparents and several other family members!!

My brother and myself are in Surname projects on FamilyTreeDNA! My brother’s yDNA has 2 confirmed Bailey’s/ Bailie in Ireland. My mtDNA is the same Haplogroup as the Bailie male. We have found several cousins that confirmed several lines. Now to find my 4th great grandparents Bailey?

I would be glad to try and answer your questions if I can or find out who can!!

Answer 1

Lisa,
Noone appears to have mentioned the primary sharing site GEDmatch.com.

Upload your DNA file to GEDMatch, wait a day or so for it to fully process, run the one to many report and see who all you find who shares DNA with you there from wherever they've tested.

If you tested elsewhere than MyHeritage and FTDNA, you can also transfer into those sites currently for free, although FTDNA will charge a one-off $19US to unlock the tools and MyHeritage will begin charging new transfers for access to their DNA tools from 1 Dec.

If Ancestry to FTDNA it can be better to retest their FamilyFinder to fish in that pond for more matches as they are not as fully compatible as they once were.
http://genie.lornahen.com/lornas-links/dnalinks/atdna/#transfers
has some reading on that topic
 

PS your raw DNA is not visible to anyone other than the test taker (and anyone with admin rights on Ancestry or the kit / site log on elsewhere) only the secondary data of shared match lists..

It is also only a small percentage of your total DNA.

Answer 2

Which tests have you taken? The sharing options vary for the different companies.

As an example I have had a lot of success from sharing viewing rights on AncestryDNA. I manage about a dozen kits and have viewing rights to a number of others which help me to determine which lines on my tree a match fits into.

Comments

I've taken DNA tests on ancestry.com, 23andme.com and FTDNA.com. Do you have any suggested approaches on how to ask for managing rights for someone's test?

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Start with Ancestry. Ask for viewing rights. You will scare them away if you ask for manager rights unless it is a close relative who is unable to manage their own kit.

Offer to give them viewing rights to your kit and explain that if this is a reciprocal arrangement that it will help you to identify shared matches beyond the 4th cousin range.

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Thanks Lynda! I appreciate your quick response.

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Hi Lynda. I've been working with my Ancestry DNA matches for a while, yet don't know of this 'viewing rights' feature you've mentioned. The matches are just "there", with or without a companion tree. Can you guide me to better see what you're describing?

I am familiar with ancestry report sharing on 23andMe. Only once both parties have agreed to shared ancestry reports will detail regarding shared DNA segments be visible. You can opt in to sharing 1:1 for each match individual or you can make your setting open to all matches.  At least that's my experience.

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If you have a subscription to Ancestry then you can see the trees for your matches.

On AncestryDNA you can assign various roles. Go to Settings on your DNA page and then scroll down to where you see DNA Result Access. If you click on Role Details you will see the various options and what access they allow. When I am working together with a match to find to find common ancestors we often give each other rights as Viewer so we can see each others match lists.

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Thank you! I have not ever heard of or read of this feature. Where have I been??? 

So, having Viewer rights is better than pawing through the ICW lists, I take it. Also, it looks like before I request this of others I'd better take a look at my 'Notes' posted with each match as I know I've left some I expected would be seen by me only! (Someone I tried to work with immediately, essentially told me that she was only interested in what she was interested in! Okay then! :-) I think my "odd" sounding list of surnames scared her off ... )

Thanks again, Lynda. If I can get anyone to follow your/my instructions who is also willing to share, this will be of great help! 

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Yes, it would be a good idea to tidy up your notes first 

Once you have shared rights you can click on a match and see which other kits they match that you share rights with. Very helpful as it takes you way beyond the annoying 4th cousin threshold.

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Lisa, Thanks for the best answer star.

Answer 3

I have one 3rd cousin who chose to take a DNA test (Ancestry) and she shows up here as related to me.

My mother was adopted and she also took a DNA test to find her fathers biological family. We found a first cousin, a second cousin, and a third cousin all on My Heritage, and I have added their details to Wikitree. No connection to my mother yet, until one of them chooses to join Wikitree and support the DNA confirmation. We have to do it this way because we have NO PAPER records to support my mothers connection.

Answer 4

Hi Lisa, You might have some success with DNAPainter.com.  Also, here is an article I wrote on how I use my auDNA test.  https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/229558/how-do-you-use-your-audna-test-on-wikitree

Answer 5

Yes both for myself and for others as an Adoption Angel.  I have for myself had good luck with FTDNA and Gedmatch

For adoptees we recommend uploading DNA to Gedmatch