Frequently Ask Questions

 A centimorgan (cM) is a unit of genetic measurement. It's what is used to describe how much DNA and the length of specific segments of DNA you share with your relatives. These shared segments are divided up into centimorgans. The more centimorgans you share with someone, the more closely you are related. 

Endogamy, also called in-marriage, is the act of marrying another person within the same family, clan, religious group, or cultural group.

Non-identifying information is information about the person you are seeking that will NOT identify them but  may include race, occupation, age etc.  If you are an adoptee you can request this information.

Autosomal DNA contains segments of your DNA that is shared with everyone you are relatd to.  Y-DNA is the Y chromosome that is passed down from father to son which enables a male to trace their patrilineal line while mtDNA (Mitochondrial) traces one matrilineal ancestry which is ancestry passed from mothers to children.

23andMe, GEDmatch, MyHeritage, Family Tree DNA, Living DNA

a file that is generated by a DNA testing company which contains information about your genetic variants

You can upload your Raw DNA to the following sites for free:

GEDmatch

MyHeritage

Famly Tree DNA (FTDNA)

Go to DNA Settings on Ancestry. In Test Management section under Actions, select Download next to Download DNA Data. Enter your password, check the box, and select Confirm. You'll get an email containing a link to confirm the download. The downloaded file will not be in the email. In the email, you'll find a link that brings you back to Ancestry. In the email, select Download DNA Data. A download link can be used just once. It will expire after a week. If your link has expired, start over at step 1. The file will be downloaded to your computer. The file name will be dna-data-(date).zip. If you can’t find it, check your Downloads folder or search for the file name (if you have a PC) by clicking the Windows key User-added image on your keyboard and entering the file name in the search field that appears. If you have an Apple computer, select the Spotlight icon User-added image in the top-right corner of your screen and enter the file name in the search field. To open the file, double-click it.

Login to GEDmatch. At the top right of the GEDmatch site, in the "File Uploads" section, select AncestryDNA.com. Enter the name of the testee and an alias if desired. Click "choose file" and navigate to select the zip file of the downloaded DNA results. Click "Upload"

Visit the page www.myheritage.com/dna/upload
On the DNA Upload page, click ‘Start’: Once logged in, you’ll have two options:
To upload your own DNA data file, select the option ‘Mine’.  After you selected the person who this test will be taken by, continue with the upload flow by following the instructions on the screen. Click ‘Upload’. Search for the file containing the raw DNA data on your computer, select it and click ‘Open’ to upload it.  Wait for your file to be processed. IMPORTANT - Don’t close the browser while the file is being uploaded. 

You will get a confirmation message stating that the DNA file was successfully imported.