Connecting with Cousins Through AncestryDNA

In April, I ordered a DNA test kit from AncestryDNA. The kit arrived in just a few days and was simple to complete and return.

The procedure is to activate the kit by logging into AncestryDNA trough your Ancestry.com account then entering the fifteen digit code printed on the sample tube from the test kit.

Next, fill the tube to the marked line with saliva, attach the supplied cap and tighten enough to release the stabilizing fluid it contains and shake to mix the fluid and saliva.

Finally, Put the sample in the collection bag, seal the bag, place in in the prepaid mailing box and drop it in the mail.

Now you just wait. You can track the progress of the testing on your AncestryDNA page so you will know when they received you packages and when it goes into the lab but otherwise it is just a waiting game. You will get an email when the results are available. Ancestry says it takes six to eight weeks but I got mine in about a month. Once the results are in, you will see four main section on the results page.

First is the Ethnicity Estimate. Click on the "Show full ethnicity estimate" button and you will see a page like this that shows where your ancestors most likely came from (you can click this picture to expand it and see more detail of what the page looks like). There are buttons along the bottom for help interpreting the results.

The second, and probably most useful, section is the DNA matches that were found among others who have submitted DNA. Click on the "View all DNA matches" button and you will get a full list divided into cousin relation ships (1st cousin, 2cd cousin, 3rd cousin, 4th-6th cousin). Click "View match" for any of the names and, if that person has a public tree on Ancestry, you will see the common ancestor couple and the line of descent to you and your "cousin." If their tree is private or they don't have one on line you will get a link to contact them.

The third section is "New Ancestor Discoveries" which is supposed to show possible DNA matches to ancestors not already in your tree. I don't have any of these yet so I can't comment on the usefulness of this section.

Finally the last section is DNA circles which is still in beta. This section is a graphical representation of other people who are also related to people already in your family tree. I'm not sure how helpful this section is since this information was already available through the "member Connect" tab on individual profile pages in you tree. Still, this is another way to view those connections and consolidates them in one place.

There is also a settings button on the results page. Clicking that will allow you to change options about how you are notified of new matches and how you results are displayed to others. You can also invite other family members, Ancestry members or not, to see your results.

From the settings page, you can also download your raw DNA test results. This is a huge benefit of taking the test. By downloading the raw results, you can upload then to other DNA analysis sites to learn more about your ethnicity, match to people on other genealogy sites and learn about potential health issues revealed by you DNA.

One good free site to start with is GEDMatch.com. This site allows you to upload you DNA results and a GEDCOM file. There is a growing list of tools for matching to possible relatives, more detailed ethnicity reports and more.

If you are considering ordering the AncestryDNA test, I would encourage you to go ahead. You will probably find some new connections on Ancestry.com and you will have your raw DNA data to keep in a safe place and use as more and more analysis sites become available.