Shared DNA Matches - the only DNA Tool You will Ever Need

The speaker, Diane Southard, welcomes the audience to the final class of RootsTech 2023. She introduces herself as the founder and CEO of a DNA education company, emphasizing the importance of utilizing DNA test results for family history discoveries. The primary focus of the session is the Shared Matches tool, which Diane claims is the only DNA tool necessary for genealogical research. She sets an expectation for the audience to engage with the material by committing to a homework assignment involving the Shared Matches tool within the next 24 hours. Diane begins by sharing a success story of a participant named Kristen who used the tool to find a relative's connections, highlighting the tool's potential in genealogy research.

Diane explains the mechanics of the Shared Matches tool, emphasizing its simplicity and effectiveness. She describes how DNA is inherited from parents and how the tool identifies shared DNA between the user and their matches. Diane argues against the need for segment tracking in genetic genealogy research, asserting that the Shared Matches tool is sufficient for this purpose. She clarifies that while shared DNA indicates a common ancestor, it does not guarantee a recent one. The speaker advises using genealogy to discern relationships among shared matches and emphasizes the importance of selecting the right person to run the tool on, suggesting the 'best known match' as the ideal starting point.

The speaker delves into the process of building a network using the Shared Matches tool. She illustrates how to identify 'best known matches' and use the tool to create a list of shared matches, forming a network of individuals related to the initial match. Diane provides a strategy for narrowing down this network to a specific branch of the family tree by using shared matches on multiple 'best known matches' from different lines. She advises focusing on 'best mystery matches' within the network to uncover the common ancestor. The speaker also introduces a match labeling system to keep track of shared matches and encourages using genealogy to understand how these matches are related.

Diane introduces the 'dot system' as a method for organizing and filtering shared matches. She explains how to assign colors and names to ancestral couples for easier identification. The speaker advocates for using the dot system to answer specific genealogical questions and shares the story of Peggy Chapman, who found the system transformative after reorganizing her dots. Diane provides a practical guide on how to apply the dot system using Ancestry's tools and invites the audience to a webinar for a more in-depth understanding of the system. She also discusses the importance of splitting large networks into smaller, more manageable groups based on shared DNA amounts.

The speaker explains the process of splitting networks to isolate specific ancestral lines and identify endogamy within a family tree. Diane outlines how to use the Shared Matches tool on 'best known matches' from different ancestral lines to create distinct groups and filter out unrelated matches. She highlights the importance of understanding the relationships among matches and using genealogy to uncover common ancestors. The speaker also discusses the concept of endogamy, where marriages occur within the same cultural or familial group over generations, leading to fragmented and smaller DNA segments. Diane provides tips on how to recognize endogamy through the Shared Matches tool and emphasizes the importance of focusing on larger DNA segments when investigating relationships.

Diane discusses the 'superpowers' of the Shared Matches tool, including its ability to identify international ancestors, spot discrepancies in family trees, and reveal endogamy. She explains how a small shared matches list can indicate a non-US ancestor and how the tool can help detect inaccuracies in family tree records. The speaker also describes how the Shared Matches tool can expose endogamous populations, which complicate network splitting due to intermingled relationships. Diane provides practical advice on how to focus research efforts on the most promising matches based on segment size and encourages further exploration of these matches to uncover familial connections.

Diane concludes the session by answering audience questions and reiterating the importance of practice and perseverance in genetic genealogy research. She addresses queries about the effectiveness of the Shared Matches tool for ancestors beyond eight generations, the significance of international ancestors in match lists, and the value of the Big Y DNA test for closely related lines. Diane also discusses the challenges of organizing matches from endogamous populations and suggests re-evaluating 'best known matches' if the dot system appears jumbled. She encourages the audience to utilize available resources, attend webinars, and participate in classes for further guidance. Diane reminds the audience of the iterative nature of learning and the necessity of hands-on practice to master the techniques discussed.