6 DNA Using GedMatch - Desiree Colson

Open up your GedMatch account:
www.gedmatch.com

On the front screen, the below is where you will be working from most.

On the lower left, you will see the DNA data that I have already uploaded.
Note the numbers associated with the DNA - it's good to have these handy whenever working on GedMatch.   (below)

On the right is the tools you will be using. The most often used tool is the 'One-to-many' matches.  (below)

Enter the 'kit' number (this is the number associated with your DNA data), or use the dropdown box, and click on Display Results.   (below)

You will need to scroll down a bit to see the actual matches.  Here, my matches with my mum, dad and brother are at the top as they are ordered in the highest match.  All my other matches are below.

You have several options:
Click on 'L' for list of matches for that person. (May take up to 5 minutes to process.)
Click on 'A' for details on Autosomal comparison.
Click on 'X' for details on X-DNA comparison.

I am going to choose Joyce Cowie to look into further.  I've clicked on "A" for Autosomal data info.   (below)

To qualify as a 'match', the results must have a largest Autosomal segment of at least 700 SNPs and be at least 7cM.  It must have BOTH.

You must check these results before assuming any match is real.
Do NOT send emails to anyone on your list without first checking these figures that it is a legitimate match.  (below)

Here are the comparison details supplied.
Often there is only 1 or 2 chromosome lines that match - in this case she matches 10 lines - which is a LOT.   (below)

In this case - you would want to send an email to this person to discuss your match further.

Go back to the match page and you will find her email.
If you are very lucky, they may have uploaded a GedCom - which is well worth a browse (unfortunately this is not the case for Joyce's info).      (below)

Sending an email to a complete stranger can be daunting.  As you are using GedMatch, you can be sure that these people are reaching out to others, so often your email will be welcomed.
Below is what I always send to would-be relatives...

Hi there

My name is Desirée Colson, great to see you appear in our DNA matches on GEDmatch today showing as a link to my family.

Would love to work out where in the family you fit in. Do you mind telling me your great-grandparent’s names? All of my ancestral family raised their families in Otago, mostly Lawrence and Milton, having come out from Ireland, Scotland and England. I myself live in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Really hope you can drop me an email at colson2@xtra.co.nz when you have some time.

The main surnames on my mother’s side are:

- Buchanan, Revell, Wilson, McMurtrie, Stewart, Ferguson

The main surnames on my father’s side are:

- Brook, Pennell, Miller, Garnett, Birkin

Till then

Nice to meet a new “cousin”

All the best

Desirée (GEDmatch # A394103)

Once you've sent off your email - all you can do is wait.

Patience is the key.