myFTDNA 2.0 User Guide: Family Finder

  1. What is the Family Finder - Matches page? The Family Finder - Matches faq id: 1752
  2. On the Family Finder - Matches page, what are the filters? faq id: 1753
  3. What is the Advanced Matching page? faq id: 1754
  4. What is the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page? faq id: 1756
  5. What is the Family Finder – Known Relationship page? faq id: 1758
  6. What is the Family Finder - Population Finder page? faq id: 1760
  7. What is the Family Finder - Download Raw Data page? faq id: 1761
  8. How do I sort my matches on the Family Finder - Matches page? faq id: 1764
  9. How do I view the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser tutorial? faq id: 1766
  10. On the images of the chromosomes in the Chromosome Browser, some places are darkened. Why is that? faq id: 1767
  11. The actual genealogical relationship to a match is not an option on the Known Relationship page. What should I do? faq id: 1768
  12. How do I confirm a Known Relationship for Family Finder? faq id: 1769
  13. How do I change a Known Relationship in Family Finder? faq id: 1770
  14. How do I delete a Known Relationship in Family Finder? faq id: 1771
  15. On the Population Finder page, what are the charts? faq id: 1773
  16. On the Population Finder page, what are the maps? faq id: 1774
  17. Where do I find the matches from my New Family Finder Matches e-mail notice? faq id: 1776
  18. How do I use the Chromosome Browser to view one of my Family Finder cousin's matching segments? faq id: 1800
  19. How many of my Family Finder matches can I compare at once on the Chromosome Browser page? faq id: 1801
  20. How do I know which of my Family Finder matches I am comparing on the Chromosome Browser page? faq id: 1802
  21. How do I view details about my match using the Chromosome Browser? faq id: 1803
  22. How do I hide 3rd party matches on the Chromosome Browser page? faq id: 1804
  23. What are the filtering options on in the Matches List for the Chromosome Browser? faq id: 1805
  24. How do I navigate the pages in the Chromosome Browser page's Match List? faq id: 1806
  25. How do I view all of the segment data for one or more of my matches? faq id: 1807
  26. I have more than one match selected in the Compare Genes box on the Chromosome Browser. How do I view each match's information? faq id: 1808
  27. How do I un-select a match on the Chromosome Browser page? faq id: 1809

Questions and Answers

  1. What is the Family Finder - Matches page? The Family Finder - Matches faq id: 1752

    The Family Finder - Matches page is the main place to view your matching genetic cousins from the Family Finder test. The page has two sections. The top Filter Matches By: section is where you can change the testing level and filter for specific parameters. The bottom Matches section is where you can view your matches. You also have the option to download your Family Finder matches using the buttons at the bottom of the page. The downloaded files are in CSV or Excel format..

    • Name - This is your match's name. This field also includes:
      • A link to their personal profile. Click on their name to view their profile.
      • A link to their e-mail address.
      • A link to the TiP program (For those with Y-DNA Results).
      • GEDCOM/Family Tree (if available).
      • A link to add a note or a link to view/edit a note.
      • Testing levels for their Family Finder, mtDNA, and standard Y-DNA tests. Note that this indicates they have tested and not that they match you. You may check for them as a match on the respective matches page or on the Advanced Matches page.
    • Relationship Range - This represents the upper and lower limits to the predicted relationship. The relationship is predicted with high confidence to fall within these limits.
    • Suggested Relationship - This is statistically the most likely relationship based on the amount of sharing between you and each match.
    • Shared cM - This is the sum of the autosomal DNA given in centiMorgans (cM) that you and your genetic match share.
    • Longest Block - This is the largest DNA segment given in centiMorgans (cM) you and your genetic match share.
    • Known Relationship - Set (assign) your relationship based on traditional genealogical records. This is a two-step process; once one of you has set the relationship the other person needs to confirm it.
    • Ancestral Surnames - These are your matches' surnames that they have added. If both both you and your match have added ancestral surnames, those you have in common are shown in bold.
    • Match Date - This is when we matched you and your genetic cousin in the Family Tree DNA database. If you and your match received results of different dates, it is the earlier of the two result dates.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderMatches

  2. On the Family Finder - Matches page, what are the filters? faq id: 1753

    The filters on the Family Finder - Matches page allow you to focus on subsets of your matches. There are Relationship filters:

    • Show All Matches - Displays your Family Finder cousins at all levels of matching.
    • Immediate Relative - Displays your Family Finder cousins in the Immediate Relative range.
    • Close Relative - Displays your Family Finder cousins in the Close Relatives range.
    • Close and Immediate Relative - Displays your Family Finder cousins in both the Close Relatives and the Immediate Relatives ranges.
    • Distant Relative - Displays your Family Finder cousins in the Distant Relative range.
    • Speculative Relative - Displays your Family Finder cousins in the Speculative Relative range.
    • Common Surname - Displays matches who have a name on their Surnames list that matches (by soundex) a surname on your Surnames list.
    • Confirmed Relatives - Displays matches who you have confirmed in the Known Relationships column. They are also on the Family Finder - Known Relationships page.
    • New Since - Displays new matches. By default, it uses the date when you last directly logged into the account. However, you may change the date by entering one of your choose and clicking on the enter key of your computer.
    • In common with - Displays matches you share with a selected genetic cousin. It is available when you have initiated a known relationship and when you have confirmed a known relationship a match has initiated. After selecting this filter, you will be able to choose the genetic cousin to compare from a second drop-down menu.
    • Not in common with - Displays matches you do not share with a genetic cousin. It is available when you have initiated a known relationship and when you have confirmed a known relationship a match has initiated. After selecting this filter, you will be able to choose the genetic cousin to compare from a second drop-down menu.

    There are also these filters:

    • Exact Spelling for Matches - Limits your Surname matches to exact spelling rather than soundex.
    • Name - Limits matches to those who have a specific surname. After entering text, click the Run Filter button to update your results.
    • Ancestral Surname - Limits matches to those who have a surname that contains the text you enter. After entering text, click the Run Filter button to update your results.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderMatches

  3. What is the Advanced Matching page? faq id: 1754

    The Advanced Matching page allows you to compare genetic matching from multiple types of DNA tests: Family Finder, mtDNA, and Y-DNA. You may select filtering options in the Filter section and view matching results in the Results section.

    Filter

    • Test types - You may select all or specific test types from Y-DNA, mtDNA, and Family Finder tests. Your options depend upon the tests you have taken.
    • Show Matches from - Limit matches to those who match on all results or view those who match on any selected result.
    • Last Name Starts with - Filter matches by surname matching.
    • Show Matches for - View matches from the entire Family Tree DNA database, or limit them to a specific project.
    • Results per Page - Choose the number of results you wish to view on a page.

    Results

    • Name - This is your match's name.* This field also includes:
      • A link to their personal profile. Click on their name to view their profile.
      • A link to their e-mail address.
      • A link to the TiP program (For those with Y-DNA Results).
      • GEDCOM/Family Tree (where they have one).
      • A link to add a note or a link to view/edit a note.
      • Testing levels for their Family Finder, mtDNA, and standard Y-DNA tests.**
    • Match Date - This represents the date on which you were matched with this person.
    • Y-DNA Haplogroup - This is your match's Y-DNA haplogroup according to their testing. If they have not taken a Y-DNA SNP test, we show a, "-", dash.
    • mtDNA Haplogroup - This is your match's mtDNA haplogroup according to their testing.
    • Y-DNA Columns - These (Y-DNA12, Y-DNA25, Y-DNA37, Y-DNA67, and Y-DNA111) show the genetic distance between you and your match. Exact matches are zero steps.
    • mtDNA Columns - These (shorthand HVR1, HVR2, and FMS)* show the genetic distance between you and your exact matches (zero steps).
    • Family Finder - This is relationship range between you and your matches.
    • Match Date - This is when we matched you and your genetic cousin in the Family Tree DNA database. If you and your match received results of different dates, it is the earlier of the two result dates.

    You can sort each column by clicking on the column name.

    * Note that some of your matches may have chosen not to see or be seen by matches at one or more testing levels. They will be shown as Private. You may read more about this here.

    ** These are the mtDNA shorthand, testing levels (products), and matching levels.

    Shorthand Testing Level Matching Level
    HVR1 mtDNA HVR1
    HVR2 mtDNAPlus HVR1 & HVR2
    FMS mtFullSequence HVR1, HVR2, & Coding Region

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

  4. What is the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page? faq id: 1756

    The Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page allows you to compare your matching DNA segments (blocks) with your genetic matches. 

    • Chromosome Browser Tutorial - This link starts the tutorial for the Chromosome Browser.
    • Compare List - This shows the name and, if they have uploaded one, a picture of the matches that you have selected.
    • Match List - (below the Selected Matches box) This shows your Family Finder matches.
    • Optional Views - These allow you to view a table of matching segments for the matches selected in the Compare List or to download them as a CSV file to your computer.
    • Chromosome Viewer - This shows the DNA segments that you share with matches. You may select one to five matches at a time.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  5. What is the Family Finder – Known Relationship page? faq id: 1758

    The Family Finder - Known Relationships page is where you confirm and manage your Known Relationships with your Family Finder matches. Your known relationships are those that have been confirmed using traditional genealogical records (birth, marriage, and death certificates, census records, wills, etc.). Until you or one of your matches has initiated a known relationship assignment, you will see a message to assign a relationship on the Family Finder - Matches page.

    When one of your matches has initiated a known relationship assignment, but you have not confirmed it, there is a Family Finder Pending Relationships table.

    • Relative Name - This is your match's name.
    • Relationship - This is the relationship that has been suggested by your match.
    • Status - This is the status of your relationship assignment, i.e., pending or confirmed.

    When you have confirmed relationships, the Family Finder Known Relationships table allows you to manage these relationships.

    • Relative Name - This is your match's name.
    • Relationship Name - This is the relationship that both you and your match have agreed is correct.
    • Status - This is the status of your relationship assignment, i.e., pending or confirmed.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderKnownRelationships

  6. What is the Family Finder - Population Finder page? faq id: 1760

    The Family Finder - Population Finder page lets you view results of the Population Finder program. The Population Finder program determines your biogeographical ancestry - the story of your personal genetic history - by comparing your autosomal DNA to that of our world DNA population database. Your Population Finder results consist of up to four out of seven continental groups.* For each, the percentage of your genome that matches is shown.

    You may view your results as either a stacked bar or pie chart. Where possible, we list specific subgroups such as Basque and Bedouin or subregions such as Western Europe.

    * The seven continental groups are based on genetic similarity and do not precisely match geographical continents.

    See also:

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderPopulationFinder

  7. What is the Family Finder - Download Raw Data page? faq id: 1761

    The Family Finder - Download Raw Data page allows you to download files of your raw results and your Family Finder matches. Files in CSV or XML format can be opened using a spreadsheet program such as Excel. GZIP files can be extracted using many free programs available on the internet.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderPopulationDownloads

  8. How do I sort my matches on the Family Finder - Matches page? faq id: 1764

    Any column on the Family Finder - Matches page can be sorted in ascending or descending order. To sort a column in ascending order, click on the column header (the name of the column). To sort the column in descending order click a second time on the column header.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderMatches

  9. How do I view the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser tutorial? faq id: 1766

    The Chromosome Browser tutorial is located on your Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page. To view it:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Select Chromosome Browser from the Family Finder menu on the menu bar.
    3. Look on the top right for the Chromosome Browser Tutorial button.
    4. Click on the button to start the tutorial.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  10. On the images of the chromosomes in the Chromosome Browser, some places are darkened. Why is that? faq id: 1767

    In the Chromosome Viewer on the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page, we show areas as darkened when they are SNP Poor. That is, the microarray chip does not include enough data points in this area to make scientifically sound judgment about whether matches are parts of Identical By Descent (IBD) segments or not. When segments that cross these areas are evaluated for IBD status, they are treated as two segments, one on each side of the SNP Poor area.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  11. The actual genealogical relationship to a match is not an option on the Known Relationship page. What should I do? faq id: 1768

    If the actual genealogical relationship to your relative is not on the drop down list for the Known Relationship field, you should select one that is close. For example, if your relationship is 3rd cousin 4 times removed, you might choose 3rd cousin 2R or 4th cousin.

    If your relationship is more remote than 6th cousin, you should select the Distant Cousin option.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderKnownRelationships

  12. How do I confirm a Known Relationship for Family Finder? faq id: 1769

    To confirm a Known Relationship that one of your matches has initiated on the Family Finder - Known Relationships page:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Select Known Relationships from the Family Finder menu on the menu bar.
    3. Find your relative in the Family Finder Pending Relationships table.
    4. In the Status column, select your relationship to them from the dropdown menu.
    5. Click the Confirm button.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderKnownRelationships

  13. How do I change a Known Relationship in Family Finder? faq id: 1770

    To change a Known Relationship on the Family Finder - Known Relationships page:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Select Known Relationships from the Family Finder menu on the menu bar.
    3. Find your relative in the Family Finder Known Relationships table.
    4. In the Relationship column, click on the current relationship.
    5. Select the new relationship from the dropdown menu.
    6. Click the Save button.

    Once you have changed a relationship, your match will need to re-confirm it on their Family Finder - Known Relationships page.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderKnownRelationships

  14. How do I delete a Known Relationship in Family Finder? faq id: 1771

    To delete a Known Relationship on the Family Finder - Known Relationships page:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Select Known Relationships from the Family Finder menu on the menu bar.
    3. Find your relative in the Family Finder Known Relationships table.
    4. To the right of the Status menu there is a Delete button.
    5. Click the Delete button.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderKnownRelationships

  15. On the Population Finder page, what are the charts? faq id: 1773

    On the Family Finder - Population Finder page, the charts show percentages for each of the continental groups you match. You may select either a pie chart or a stacked bar chart.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderPopulationFinder

  16. On the Population Finder page, what are the maps? faq id: 1774

    On the Family Finder - Population Finder page, the maps show the matching Subcontinental groups and populations for each of the continental groups which you match. Each reference population that is used to calculate your matching percentages is shaded.

    Note: Because these are the populations used in matching, they are limited by the current reference database.

    See also:

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderPopulationFinder

  17. Where do I find the matches from my New Family Finder Matches e-mail notice? faq id: 1776

    Your Family Finder matches are shown on the Family Finder - Matches page. To access it:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Select Matches from the Family Finder menu on the menu bar.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderMatches

  18. How do I use the Chromosome Browser to view one of my Family Finder cousin's matching segments? faq id: 1800

    You may view the matching segments you share with a Family Finder match on the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page by selecting that match from the Matches List. To do so:

    1. Go to the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page.
    2. Find the match who you wish to compare in the Matches List.
    3. Click on the Check box next to their name.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  19. How many of my Family Finder matches can I compare at once on the Chromosome Browser page? faq id: 1801

    You can select from one to five matches to compare at one time on the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  20. How do I know which of my Family Finder matches I am comparing on the Chromosome Browser page? faq id: 1802

    Each selected match is shown in the Compare Genes area on the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page. The colored box to the right of their name corresponds to the color in which their matching segments are displayed.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  21. How do I view details about my match using the Chromosome Browser? faq id: 1803

    Clicking on a name field in either the Compare Genes area or the Matches List will bring up the match's details in the Family Finder Profile. These include the matching DNA segment data, the Suggested Relationship, the Relationship Range, surnames they have added to their profile, and notes you have entered about them.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  22. How do I hide 3rd party matches on the Chromosome Browser page? faq id: 1804

    On the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page, there is a check box at the top of the Matches List to hide 3rd party results. Select this check box to hide third party matches (marked in the list above with an orange asterisk * next to the name). Third party matches are people that have tested with other services and uploaded their results.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  23. What are the filtering options on in the Matches List for the Chromosome Browser? faq id: 1805

    The filters for the Matches List on the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page allow you to focus on subsets of your matches. There are these Relationship filters:

    • Show All Matches - Displays your Family Finder cousins at all levels of matching.
    • Immediate Relative - Displays your Family Finder cousins in the Immediate Relative range.
    • Close Relative - Displays your Family Finder cousins in the Close Relatives range.
    • Close and Immediate Relative - Displays your Family Finder cousins in both the Close Relatives and the Immediate Relatives ranges.
    • Distant Relative - Displays your Family Finder cousins in the Distant Relative range.
    • Speculative Relative - Displays your Family Finder cousins in the Speculative Relative range.
    • Common Surname - Displays matches who have a name on their Surnames list that matches (by soundex) a surname on your Surnames list.
    • New Since - Displays new matches. By default, it uses the date when you last directly logged into the account.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  24. How do I navigate the pages in the Chromosome Browser page's Match List? faq id: 1806

    On the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page, click the left or right arrow at the bottom of the Matches List to move through your results. You may also select a page from the drop down list to go directly to the page. Each page contains 10 matches.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  25. How do I view all of the segment data for one or more of my matches? faq id: 1807

    To view the DNA segment data for one or more of your matches, you need to first select them on the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page. To do so:

    1. Go to your Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page.
    2. Select from one to five matches of your choice.
    3. On the Chromosome image, click on the View this data in a table link to see the data in a table format. You can also click Download to excel to download the data for use in a spreadsheet.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  26. I have more than one match selected in the Compare Genes box on the Chromosome Browser. How do I view each match's information? faq id: 1808

    When viewing the data in table format, you will see the data one match at a time. You can select which match to view by clicking on the 1 2 3 4 5 in the bottom right corner. You can also sort the data by clicking on the column headers.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser

  27. How do I un-select a match on the Chromosome Browser page? faq id: 1809

    In the Compare List area on the Family Finder - Chromosome Browser page, clicking on the colored box next to a match's name will un-select them and remove them from the browser comparison.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    FamilyFinderChromosomeBrowser