Is This a False Segment?

Segments of DNA that reportedly match can sometimes be pseudosegments, or false segments. These pseudosegments were not inherited from a common ancestor. In this Research Like a Pro with DNA Q&A video, I discuss pseudosegments and share an example of finding a probable pseudosegment with a match at MyHeritage.

When creating triangulated groups with MyHeritage matches following Jim Bartlett’s methodology, you can sort overlapping segments into two groups, one for maternal and one for paternal. If a small segment doesn’t triangulate with either group, it could be a pseudosegment.

It’s important to note that you can’t always be certain whether a match is real or a pseudosegment. Even triangulated matches could still be false. See Blaine Bettinger, “A Small Segment Round-Up,” 29 December 2017, The Genetic Genealogist (https://thegeneticgenealogist.com/2017/12/29/a-small-segment-round-up/ : accessed 7 May 2022).

 

Articles Mentioned in the Video:

Blaine Bettinger, “The Danger of Distant Matches,” 6 January 2017 The Genetic Genealogist (https://thegeneticgenealogist.com/2017/01/06/the-danger-of-distant-matches/ : accessed 7 May 2022).

Jim Bartlett, “Triangulating Your Genome: A How-To Example with MyHeritage,” 29 December 2020, Segment-ology (https://segmentology.org/2020/12/29/triangulating-your-genome/ : accessed 7 May 2022).