Sorting DNA Matches with MyHeritage’s Theory of Family Relativity

Key points and insights

In this insightful session from the “MyHeritage Webinar” series, seasoned genealogist Shauna Hicks explores the practical application of genetic matching technology through a detailed case study of her mother’s DNA results. As family historians increasingly turn to genetic data to break through long-standing brick walls, understanding how to navigate complex automated theories becomes an essential skill. The presentation focuses on MyHeritage’s Theory of Family Relativity, a dynamic tool that synthesizes family tree data, historical records, and DNA matches to propose potential ancestral connections. Hicks demonstrates how the recent addition of millions of new theories to the database provides fertile ground for discovery, while also emphasizing why testing multiple siblings is a pivotal strategy for capturing a fuller genetic picture. By bridging the gap between traditional paper trails and modern genetic science, this webinar provides a clear roadmap for researchers to systematically sort through their matches, verify automated suggestions, and refine their family trees with greater precision.

• Critical Verification of Automated Theories: While the Theory of Family Relativity offers powerful shortcuts, it is not infallible; researchers must rigorously cross-reference proposed paths with established paper trails to identify errors caused by typos, incorrect generations, or inaccurate family stories within user-submitted trees.

• Strategic Use of Comparative Tools: Success in sorting DNA involves a multi-tool approach, such as utilizing chromosome browsers to find triangulated segments and the “Cousin Finder” feature to distinguish between paternal and maternal lines, particularly when dealing with collateral branches.

• Prioritizing Match Quality: To avoid the confusion of false positives, it is highly effective to focus initial research on matches sharing over 20 centimorgans, as smaller segments often lead to “blurry” or incorrect connections that can derail a study.

To master the nuances of genetic sorting and see these methodologies applied to real-world puzzles, viewing the full webinar is highly recommended. Witnessing a professional genealogist navigate discrepancies—such as unexpected ethnicity results and misidentified ancestors—offers invaluable lessons that can be applied to any family history project. Furthermore, the accompanying syllabus provides a wealth of supplemental materials designed to deepen one’s understanding of these technical processes. Genealogists are encouraged to explore these additional resources included in the syllabus to ensure that every DNA match becomes a solid brick in their ancestral foundation rather than a stumbling block.