Updated 22 February 2021
A great way to get the most out of the list of your DNA matches is to separate the people into groups that cluster around one of your ancestral lines. If you can divide your match list into groups, you can focus on finding the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) that you share with that cluster of people. Once that common ancestor or ancestral couple is identified, you can focus your research on one familial line, and identify the DNA that you inherited from the common ancestor(s).
The groups of related people are sometimes called “Clusters,” “Genetic Networks,” or “Shared Match Groups.”
Goals – to help you make progress in your research:
1. Separate matches into groups that are related to you and each other
2. Find the MRCA between you and your DNA matches
Manual Methods of Grouping your Matches into Genetic Networks
1. DNA Testing Company Websites[1]
Each DNA testing company has its own method of identifying matches that share DNA with you, and with other people. As you use the following features of the websites, you can separate your list of matches into groups.
-Ancestry: “Shared Matches”
-Family Tree DNA: “In Common With” [ICW]
-23andme: “Relatives in Common.”
-MyHeritage: “Shared DNA matches.”
-GEDmatch: “People who match both kits, or 1 of 2 kits.”
2. Leeds Method https://www.danaleeds.com/leeds-method-dna/
Dana Leeds created a method that has taken the genetic genealogy world by storm! This process of separating DNA matches into family groups can be done manually using a spreadsheet. It is a great visual way to see the family cluster or network.
3. The Leeds Method with Ancestry’s Colored Dots https://www.danaleeds.com/the-leeds-method-with-dots/
Dana has written instructions for using the Leeds method with the new colored dots next to the matches in AncestryDNA. This method helps you label the people in a group of matches with a specific color. Different groups that correspond with other family lines can be labeled with other colors.
AutoClustering – Automated Methods of Grouping Your DNA Matches
Automated programs display DNA connections in a matrix and show them in a visible chart. A computer algorithm compares you to your DNA matches, and then the matches to each other. These programs show the people who have DNA “in common with” each other. The following are programs that will help automatically group your matches into clusters that are related to each other. Each color clustered group likely descends from the same family line in your family tree.
4. Genetic Affairs https://geneticaffairs.com
Note 1 Sept 2020: Autoclustering is only available for 23andMe and FTDNA currently. For creating AutoClusters with AncestryDNA data, see AutoFastCluster on the Genetic Affairs website.
EJ Blom, the creator of Genetic Affairs, describes the exciting features his company offers:
“Genetic Affairs offers the AutoCluster tool that groups together your DNA Matches into clusters of matches that most likely descend from common ancestors. This analysis is available for profiles from 23andme, FamilyTreeDNA, and AncestryDNA, and the results are presented in an interactive visualization.”
The provided images from Genetic Affairs demonstrate how the AutoCluster tool works.
Animated Visual of AutoClustering
Another Example of AutoClustering
AutoCluster Showing Endogamy
5. Gedmatch https://www.gedmatch.com – Tier 1 level [$10 for one month].
The Auto-Clustering approach on GEDmatch is a collaborative effort between GEDmatch and Genetic Affairs.
Use the “Clusters, Single Kit input, Basic Version NEW!” feature to generate an auto cluster for a DNA kit.
6. My Heritage https://myheritage.com
A simple way to get an auto-cluster report is to log in to your MyHeritage account.
On the top bar, click on DNA > DNA Tools > Auto Cluster > Explore > Generate. A report of Auto Clusters will be generated in-house by MyHeritage and emailed to you.
When you receive the email, open the HTML file to see the colored groups of squares clustered together in family groups.
MyHeritage licensed the Genetic Affairs AutoCluster approach, and it is modified for MyHeritage. The following image is similar to what you will receive from MyHeritage.
7. DNA Gedcom https://www.dnagedcom.com
Supports the DNA Gedcom Client app. This app requires a $5 per month or $50 per year subscription. It will download your DNA data from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, Family Tree DNA, MyHeritage, and GEDmatch, then you can use the multiple fantastic features to visualize and analyze your DNA.
The Collins-Leeds method is an automated cluster program accessed through DNA Gedcom.com.
8. DNA2Tree http://dnadreamers.com/products/
DNA2 tree is an iOS app for iPhones and iPad that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store. This app accesses AncestryDNA data and was originally designed to help adoptees or those with unknown parentage discover their birth families – but it can help everyone in their family history research. After loading DNA matches, the app generates a list of common ancestors found among DNA matches family trees, and groups the DNA matches in colored clusters. The app can even build a birth family tree in Ancestry. Touch a cluster to open it in a new screen and see a list of DNA matches and common ancestors (if available).
Network Graphs – More Automated Methods of Grouping Your DNA Matches
Another method of separating your DNA matches into networks is to use network graphs. These graphs resemble 3-D pictures and show connect groups of related people in a beautiful display of family networks.
9. Create your own network graph using Gephi https://gephi.org/
Gephi is open-source software that helps you create graphs of DNA matches that descended from shared ancestors. Download Gephi from gephi.org and find a long list of tutorials at https://gephi.org/users/. Nicole Dyer created this network graph using Gephi. Learn more about using Gephi to make network graphs with Nicole’s series here: https://familylocket.com/tag/gephi/.
10. Rootsfinder https://www.rootsfinder.com/
This is a comprehensive family tree, research, and DNA program that allows you to connect DNA results with people in your family tree. Additionally, you can import triangulation data from Gedmatch.com to visualize relationship clusters.
Remember the Goals – to help you make progress in your research:
1. Separate matches into groups that are related to you and each other
2. Find the MRCA between you and your DNA matches
All of the tools and techniques listed above will help you to separate your DNA matches into family groups/clusters/networks. When a network is identified, you can focus on finding the common ancestor or ancestral couple that you share with the network. Someone in the network may know more about that family line than you do, and help you overcome a “brick wall” to find additional generations of ancestors!
To cite this article:
Robin Wirthlin, “10 Ways to Group Your DNA Matches into Genetic Networks,” blog post, Family Locket 11 June 2019 (https://familylocket.com/10-ways-to-group-your-dna-matches-into-genetic-networks : accessed 22 February 2021).
Other articles in the Research Like a Pro with DNA series:
Step 1 Take a DNA Test: Which DNA Test Should I Take? and DNA-Recommended Testing Strategy
Step 2 Assess: Understanding and Using Your DNA Results – 4 Simple Steps
Step 3 Organize: Seeing the Big Picture: 3 Ways to Chart Your DNA Matches
Step 4 Research Objective: What Do You Want to Know? 3 Steps to Focus Your DNA Research
Step 5 Analyze your Sources: DNA Sources, Information, and Evidence: Sorting it All Out
Step 6 Locality Research: Where in the World Has My DNA Traveled? DNA and Locality Research
Step 7 Research Planning: Genealogy Research Planning with DNA
Methodology and tools to use as you plan your research:
– Charts for Understanding DNA Inheritance
– Clustering or Creating Genetic Networks – You Are Here
– Pedigree Triangulation
– Chromosome Browsers
– Segment Triangulation
– Chromosome Mapping
– DNA Gedcom
Step 8 Source Citations: DNA Source Citations
Step 9 Research Logs: DNA Research Logs: how to Keep Track of Genetic Genealogy Searches
Step 10 Report Writing: DNA Research Reports – the Ultimate Finish
Step 11 What’s Next? Continue Your Research & Writing, Productivity, and Education
[1] Debbie Parker Wayne, Editor, Advanced Genetic Genealogy: Techniques and Case Studies, “Unknown and Misattributed Parentage Research” Melissa A. Johnson, (Wayne Research : Cushing, Texas, 2019), pg. 113
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