Does Your DNA Actually Measure Up?
My latest video on my YouTube channel is about how you can confirm the relationship we think we have with a DNA match. A person tests, you see your cousin’s name or face, and everyone simply moves on, assuming the relationship is correct.
But DNA relationship predictions are exactly that — predictions, and we don’t want our own assumptions to lead us down the wrong path.
The amount of DNA you share matters.
In some cases, the shared centimorgans (cM) fit the expected relationship perfectly. In other cases, they may suggest:
- a half relationship
- a different generation
- Or that more investigation is needed
As genealogists, we need to remember that DNA is evidence — not just labels on a screen.
In my latest video, I talk about why it’s important to stop and ask:
“Does the DNA actually measure up to the relationship I believe it is?”
I also discuss:
- checking relationship ranges,
- using the Shared cM Project at DNA Painter
- Genealogy Assistant
I also mention the blurring tool I use in my videos to help protect the privacy of living DNA matches while demonstrating examples. Both the Genealogy Assistant and the Blurring Tool are products found at Genea.ca
One of the things I love about genetic genealogy is that it constantly reminds us to think critically and not make assumptions too quickly. Sometimes the answer is exactly what we expected… and sometimes it sends us back to the research table.
Watch the video HERE or by just clicking the image
Have you ever had a DNA relationship that didn’t quite “measure up” to what you originally believed?
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