A guide to Ancestry’s new DNA matches page

A guide to the new Ancestry DNA match list

Figure 1 (below) shows the Ancestry DNA match list before the changes; while Figure 2 (also below) shows the current Beta view. Karen Evans writes: "To view a DNA match's tree or to view further details about the match, when in Beta, click on  your DNA match's name - eg 'ST' in the example in Figure 2. Doing so takes you to your match's page." This is different to the earlier version of the Ancestry DNA match list view, when you could click the link to view your match's tree (see Figure 1, for example).

See Karen Evans' full guide to the new changes to Ancestry DNA in the September issue of Family Tree. Order your copy here.

How to use the Ancestry DNA filters in the new Beta

While 'The "Unviewed", "Common ancestor", "Search" and "Sort" buttons on the "Filter by" are largely the same,' writes Karen, 'Don't miss the "More filters..." button.' (See Figure 3 below). The 'More filters' button takes you to a drop-down menu of further options that you can use to filter your DNA match list. For instance you can filter to list just the DNA matches with whom you share a common ancestor, or just the matches about whom you have written a note. Remember, you can use multiple filters - so you could filter to list all your DNA matches with whom you share a common ancestor AND about whom you've written a note!

How to use the coloured squares on Ancestry DNA to create groups of DNA matches

AncestryDNA is well-known for its coloured dots, enabling you to sort your DNA matches into groups. 'The most obvious change in Betathat you are likely to notice right away,' writes Karen, 'is that the coloured circles have been replaced by coloured squares, and rather than 24 colours to choose from there are now 32.' (See Figure 4 below).

Karen adds, 'In Beta the first character of a group name is visible, which is useful for distinguishing similar colours. Hovering over a square on your match list reveals the group name as before.' Karen has many groups that have group names starting with 'M'. As a consequence she is going to look at changing her group names, to make the most of the Ancestry facility showing the first character of a group name.

How to add or remove someone from a group on Ancestry DNA

Use the pencil icon to edit your groups, and use the +/- symbols to add or remove someone from a group.

How to add emojis in Ancestry DNA

Make sure your cursor is in the group name, then open the emoji tab, and choose your emoji and it will appear as part of the group name. (See Figure 5 below).

Karen shows how to access emojis in Windows: 'To access emojis, hold the "Windows" button down, then press the full stop (period) button - and the emojis will be revealed.'

What does the relationship range mean on Ancestry DNA? Why does it show eg '4th-6th cousin'?

Previously a broad range was provided for the way in which you and a DNA match might be related. For instance, in the top example in Figure 6 (see below) '4th-6th cousin' is the range provided previously by Ancestry. Now, in Beta, the relationship options are provided as 'Half 3rd cousin or 3rd cousin 1x removed'.

'The information displayed regarding the possible ways in which you may be related to a DNA match has also changed,' writes Karen. 'Previous a table (below left) showed the possible relationships and their likelihood as a percentage. In Beta a list of possible relationships is provided, and below that the frequency of relationships (see below right).' 

Karen adds: 'Note that the self-reported ages and genders of the DNA matches are used to help calculate the possible relationships and their likelihood.'

Karen Evans writes about DNA in Family Tree each month and she is also the DNA news anchor at the monthly DNA Club meetings in Family Tree Plus.