AncestryDNA® 101 | Family History Month Beginner Webinar Series | Ancestry®

[@JanicePrice-o9e]

I noticed on your close family matches that several of them are attached to a tree with 95,000 plus people which I assume is your tree. When you manage someone’s account can you show us at the next webinar how you link them to your family tree. The thing I learned today was how the 50% passed from each parent is not 50% of their entire genes, and that 50% will be lost each time so you can have different genes to your siblings. Great webinar. The hour flew by so quickly. Thank you.

[@aprilb01]

Watched this as a refresher on my DNA knowledge. Love that you gained a half aunt! I have tested my mother, daughter, 2nd cousin, mother and father in law. One of my favorite things is researching all the different branches. Thank you Crista!

[@CristaCowan]

You are very welcome, April.

[@kamaivanaken779]

I love your videos. I can not tell you one thing that I learned today because this has been the absolute most informational DNA video so far. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! My sister and my uncle are awaiting results and I want them to watch this video immediately.

[@CristaCowan]

😊😊😊 I'm so pleased you found this helpful. 😊😊😊 Excited to hear what new discoveries you make when your sister and uncle get their results back.

[@vantra182]

I tested my mother twice, and both times they were failures. They sent another test out after the first failed, and I was sent a refund after the second failed. My mom is deceased now but, I still have enough of her DNA to find her biological father and sister. Their father had passed away. I was thankful that her sister had taken a DNA test because shortly after, she passed away. She is listed as my half-aunt on ancestry. I was overjoyed to find this information, my mother knew who they were but had never met them. They lived in different states.

[@CristaCowan]

Wow. It sounds like you've been on quite the journey. Thanks for sharing.

[@mesagirl224]

I tested with Ancestry and was surprised to learn that my sister is really my half sister. Parents and Grandparent's are deceased. I do have an Aunt, an Uncle still alive and several cousins. So my tree building is now headed in a more DNA search so thank you for this video.

[@CristaCowan]

You are very welcome. Were you able to tell if it was you or your sister who is not the daughter of the man you thought was your father?

[@ElsaFernandez-qf7yq]

I did a DNA in 2018 and I've been a member since then and all I can said I love it, I have found cousins that I didn't know I had and able to connect with them. To me it was easy to connect side of mom and dad cuz I have 1st cousins that had tested and the rest is easy. What I learn today is how region works and it was very interesting

[@CristaCowan]

So glad you found this helpful, Elsa. And love hearing that you are enjoying your family history journey using AncestryDNA. 😊

[@janicemorgan4629]

Loved this class and I learned so much from it! Thank you for sharing all this wonderful information. I learned more about how the percentages work and that I can change the labels to set for Paternal and Maternal.

[@AncestryUS]

We are glad it was helpful!

[@CristaCowan]

Hooray! Thanks for joining us, Janice. 😊

[@brendaduckworth2967]

Thank You for a wonderful learning experience.❤Ancestry is so fortunate to have you. I appreciate the opportunity to view and learn from this video. Somehow, my ticket did not work on a "different" webinar for me today; perhaps, I need to sign in at least a half hour early, instead of clicking within the last minute or two. However, my disapointment evaporated when I was able to view and learn from this one. Looking forward to viewing other videos in the future, as well. 💯% ❤🥰

[@CristaCowan]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm so glad you are here and anxious to learn. ♥♥

[@soniamaldonado8200]

I learned to link myself to my tree and request to be a collaborator with my son and his tree. Great class.

[@CristaCowan]

Love it. Thanks for being here, Sonia.

[@carrie4666]

I watched this recording. I tested and my son and daughter tested a while ago now. I have seen many of the recordings of Christa Cowan teaching. And I have been learning as much as I can about DNA and Genetic Genealogy from as many people/sources as possible. I am constantly attempting to learn more. I am still attempting to figure out how to use the updated origins since I don’t have any documentation/sources to explain/support it compared to where there is documentation/sources that my ancestors were from.

[@CristaCowan]

Hi Carrie - Remember, your AncestryDNA Regions are showing you where in the world your DNA was 500-1000 years ago. Most of us don't have family trees that go back that far. So, how does your DNA differ from what you know about your family tree? Is it at a continental level or at an ethno-religious level?

[@charleekimball6551]

Parents deceased. Only child. Have lots of second cousins, but only one first cousin has tested, and I did manage to get an uncle to test. Loving these videos

[@CristaCowan]

So glad you are finding them helpful, Charlee. Glad you are here. 😊

[@PragmaticPerson]

This is very helpful. I hope I can do some of your suggestions without a membership at Ancestry. I’m going to see if I can identify parent 1 vs parent 2. All parents and grandparents are passed, so I’m limited.

[@amandakirk9765]

Love the example of howw DNA is inherited!

[@JohnSpence-c6r]

Hi, John here from Hampshire, England. Have taken DNA test, so as some of my family.

[@JamiBean]

I'm a DNA beginner so I learned how to share my mom's ancestry account. I also learned I can edit relationships if I know who my match is... I'm def going to try to identify top 20 matches 👍🏻

[@CristaCowan]

Go, Jami, Go!

[@johnkelley1426]

Absolutely brilliant! I thought I knew something, man was I over-estimating the application of my knowledge. Woulda, shoulda, coulda tested my parents and FIL/MIL but now they're gone. Thanks for sharing.

[@CristaCowan]

You are very welcome. Thanks for being here.

[@belindabuttigieg5151]

Thank you Crista for your DNA tutorial. I have learnt a lot from you and refreshed my knowledge about the DNA but am still struggling with all the links and how to join my brothers tree ( that I manage) with mine. .Having done DNA tests some time ago and having lots of matches and years of trying to find my ancestors, and the sudden passing of my husband who past before he could do a DNA i lost my way a bit. I have my youngest son and my daughter willing to do DNA tests as their dad Was from Malta. I am enjoying listening to your video's and I watch your KZbin channel. wishing you contiuned success with your research.

[@CristaCowan]

Thank you, Belinda. I'm so pleased to hear that you are finding these classes valuable.

[@kapmanrich]

Watched a long time ago this video. I experimented with moving my dna test to one of my other trees that I am in. New ThruLine ancestors to verify. What is going to happen when I move my dna test back to my previous tree???

[@GloriaYoung-qo1ts]

I learned about the journeys and what some of the buttons lead to.

[@peterfreeland7643]

DNA test for myself, wife, son. My brother and 5 cousins also taken tests.

[@janlannan2491]

Thanks for this very interesting tutorial. I have learned a great deal about DNA which I have been struggling with and I also learned how to link. Having done a test some time ago and having lots of matches this may possibly help me considerably I'm sure, lol. I'm such a dunce but I put it down to old age 🙂. Thanks Crista.

[@CristaCowan]

You've got this, Jan!

[@kathywarren9904]

If my dna test is from My Heritage can I add it to my ancestry test?

[@sharonsaviane650]

Thanks Crista, I learned how DNA is passed down.

[@CristaCowan]

You are very welcome, Sharon! 😊

[@marmyyetter5674]

Well done!

[@michellehicks8357]

QUESTION Creating tree on account, do we use maiden name or married? TIA

[@CristaCowan]

Your Ancestry user name can be whatever you would like. Personally, I would recommend using your maiden and married name. So, for example Mary Johnson Smith. BUT, in your family tree, all women should be entered by their maiden name and their maiden name only.

[@sharondavidson100]

Wonder why my daughter doesn't show up as both sides of my DNA List. Ancestry shows her as maternal and if I switch it to both I get the red exclamation point. I know my parents are my parents....other dna matches show that. I haven't been able to figure this out. I would think she would show as both.

[@jamesbyrd9131]

I learned about clicking on the relationship button in the profile so I can see how we are connected.

[@maryannswanson6778]

Thank for this class

[@CristaCowan]

You are very welcome, Mary Ann.

[@dare2dreambig313]

I am beginning to listen to this video and you said to test your parents and grandparents. I am the only one living so should I still do the dna testing since I cannot test my parents and grandparents.

[@CristaCowan]

YES! What I meant by that advice was to test the oldest living generation in your family tree. If you are the oldest living you definitely want to test yourself.

[@lindagraham1611]

I have tested to 1 match in Estonia even though I am first generation Australian from English family with a lot of European ancestry via ancestry DNA

[@willmitchell2553]

Florida and i have taken the test

[@jenpainter4346]

I finally understand the x1 x2 removed thing!!! One of my 'new cousins' (4th) had explained rhe generational part but i still didn't understand but just now at the end you reiterated the point about losing 50% dna per generation i totally got it!! Thank you P.s. adopted iso birth mom East Texas Born in Dallas and still identify as Dallas girl lol

[@CristaCowan]

Hooray!

[@KarenTangelder-r3x]

From Buffalo, NY

[@SusanFulop-lh3xj]

I was able to attend one of the sessions, and some individuals stated they have tested more than once. Is this necessary? Beyond having errors and testing not working for them. Or do we need to update our DNA as more people join and the pools and groupings get bigger and more refined?

[@CristaCowan]

If you have taken the AncestryDNA test, there is no need to take another one. Your results are automatically updated as new Journeys are discovered, the Regions are updated, and new matches take the test.

[@SusanFulop-lh3xj]

@CristaCowan thanks.

[@carolife3275]

Can multiple DNA test be placed in one tree?

[@CoNaana]

Yes, you can link a test to another person

[@CristaCowan]

Yes. I've got 12 or 14 linked to my tree. Just make sure you link the test to the person in the tree who took the test.

[@stephenhammond1745]

Took the DNA test hoping that it will be useful in identifying my (deceased) father's biological parents. Based on other research I believe that I know who they are but hopefully the DNA results will either prove or disprove my current theory. Through Ancestry I have been in touch with the granddaughter of the woman I believe to be my dad's mother. I guess that would make her my half 1st cousin (1st half-cousin?). Her father (my half uncle?) has also been tested so I should share DNA with them both if my theory is correct. Here's hoping, since I have no other leads.

[@CristaCowan]

Any update?

[@stephenhammond1745]

@@CristaCowan Yes. DNA test confirmed my theory. I now know definitively who my paternal grandmother was. Unfortunately, it wasn't as clear on my grandfather's side. He is one of 2 brothers, son's of the man who adopted my father. I believe I know which brother but since one of them died without any children and the other "went missing" in the mid 1920's, there is no-one to take a DNA test for comparison. The only (slim) hope is that the brother who disappeared did have children at some point, one of whom may someday take a test.

[@rickandsally]

At approximately 50:10, below her highlight, is Download or Delete, what is that?

[@CristaCowan]

You can download the raw data file of your DNA results or you can delete your test results at any time.

[@LMKENNEDY1]

Can you link your DNA in 2 trees?

[@CristaCowan]

Your AncestryDNA test results can only be linked to one tree at a time.

[@LMKENNEDY1]

@@CristaCowan Can 2 trees be merged to on? A few years back, a family friend started a tree for me, but she couldn't finish it. I now have an account and don't want to start over but would like to transfer what she had done to my tree and continue from there. Is this possible?

[@msforemny6481]

I need to know how to get the zoom link!!!

[@rhondahammonds8699]

I hope this is not a dumb question. Is there a software that sorts the dna matches without me having to put pen to paper? My paid expert is having trouble finding who my grandfather is. Too many elders have passed and I am not being able to get past my brain stumble in helping much. Birth certificate grandfather is not my Father’s bioDad. Having to go to 4th-6th cousin dna matches to try to wiggle down to me.

[@AlexandraParker-p5u]

I am having trouble finding ANYTHING on my mom. She's alive, and I know where her birth was, but for some reason, I don't find any results outside of the US for her (Birth, school etc) She was born in Greece, is it just harder to find??

[@Lynnease1]

Crista….. I share 931 cM with my top match. 1st cousin. Both parents and grandparents had passed

[@CristaCowan]

That's a great match, Lynn. Do you know this match? Or are you trying to figure out who they are and how they fit into your family tree?

[@Lynnease1]

@ this is my biological dads side of my family. They didn’t or don’t know about me…….

[@Lynnease1]

I don’t know them and haven’t reached out

[@CristaCowan]

@@Lynnease1 So, you know they are related to your biological father. Do you know his identity?

[@Lynnease1]

@ yes I have his name

[@peterwilliams6873]

How can I trace my family born in the west Indies GRENADA, majority of info is to do with America

[@peterwilliams6873]

Hi Crista part three received in my email recording does not play properly, please help, an d will it be available on youtube soon thanks.

[@CristaCowan]

Unfortunately, the recording for the "Search Tips" class didn't turn out. I'll be repeating it again in March.

[@PamSelden]

How do I link my family tree

[@CristaCowan]

Go into your account settings and click on DNA. Select your test from the list and then scroll down to the tree linking section.

[@maryannswanson6778]

🎉I did a dna resr

[@KarenTangelder-r3x]

How did they decide my niece was closely related to my dna

[@CristaCowan]

You and your niece both inherited DNA from your parents - you directly and she through her parent that is your sibling. Some of that inherited DNA matches. And, if enough of it matches, we can tell how closely you are related.

[@shirlb1168]

My mother in law is on "I own this test" instead of me, how do I change it to my name?

[@CristaCowan]

Was it your mother-in-law's account before it was yours? Or did you activate her test before activating your own?

[@VictoriaReginaAnn]

I took the test as well as my daughter. She is manager of her tree, by mistake. How can I change and make me the manager of her tree. She does not appear in my tree at all. It’s like I have no daughter!

[@shirlb1168]

Same thing happened to me, I call tech support and they told me they can not put me on my on my own account at this time. Some how my mother in law is on my DNA main account.

[@alvree01]

This was good! I did learn how I can manage my two sisters DNA profiles who just recently taken the DNA test. Question: how can I give then the same family tree I have built on their profile. of course on their profile the tree would be linked to them?

[@CristaCowan]

@@alvree01 If you click the INVITE button you can share your tree with them and they will be able to see it on their accounts. If they share their tests with you (as a collaborator or manager), you can link it to the tree on your account.

[@alvree01]

@@CristaCowan Thanks Crista for replying. This is exactly what I needed to know.

[@lisahricko5344]

Ohio . Yes test done.

[@wandacarwile6697]

I have taken the Ancestry DNA test.

[@peterwilliams6873]

Rest of the world please

[@YwndrickaN1]

Of course, it might not be legal but I know of a person who tested a corpse with the assistance of the funeral home and it worked on ancestrydna! I would never!

[@CristaCowan]

As long as the next of kin give permission, there is nothing illegal (or, in my opinion, unethical) about this. I've heard of it being done a few times.

[@sandyr1789]

Ancestry has a huge database of DNA tests from 2012 and they are still guessing, and its an expensive guess. On the newest DNA update for my Dad's side of the family shows 23% Germanic Eurpe, and 26% Scotland which I know is incorrect. My Dad's family married Germans, married Germans, and married Germans since they left the Bavarian Alps in the 1700s - ABSOLUTLEY NO SCOTLAND! My Mother's side of the family is mostly English and Scottish. With this newest update there is no Scotland DNA for my mother's side of DNA results. I do not trust these newest Ancestry DNA "results" which are now twisted around our ancestors journies.

[@CristaCowan]

There's no "guessing" involved. It's a very scientific estimate derived from a large (and ever growing) reference panel and cutting edge research being done by population geneticists and historians. If you watched the video you would know that your AncestryDNA Regions are showing you where in the world your DNA was 500-1000 years ago. You would also know to click through on that Scottish DNA to see where else in the world that DNA was found back then. It's exciting to see the updates each year to learn how the science and our understanding of history advances around migration patterns that pre-date most of our family trees.

[@iolo6933]

Get on with it! All that needless chatter at the beginning is a turn-off!

[@CristaCowan]

The beauty of videos is that you can fast forward them to the parts you like. 😉

[@iolo6933]

No. Wrong. You cannot fast forward to parts which you have not already decided are worth listening to, because obviously you don't know where to fast forward to! All the inane chatter in the above video needs to be removed.

[@arthurjonesbey9999]

Taken the test and managing others. M8chigan

[@PatriciaGregson-tg2qr]

How do I change my brother's from him doing it to me. He isn't a member any more so he told me I could do it.