Understanding your Ancestry DNA Test Results

Need help understanding your DNA results? This is a quick overview of the various results you get when you complete an autosomal DNA test with Ancestry.com. Instagram: ancestrybyaimee Facebook: @aimeecross2
Are you wondering about your ethnicity results? We will talk about that - the good and bad. This video also illustrates that a DNA test can answer genealogical questions or help someone find their birth parents. If you are adopted this can open the door to finding out more about your story.
0:00 Intro
1:01 Ethnicity
5:10 DNA Matches
10:07 cM (centimorgan) Chart
11:54 Thrulines
13:30 Downloading Raw DNA
14:53 Where to Upload DNA for FREE
DNA Color Clustering: Leeds Method for Easily Visualizing Matches - www.danaleeds.com/dna-color-c...
Ancestry does not identify exactly where on your DNA strand you match so it is possible two individuals match you and each other but not through the same relative. A more positive matching method is through triangulation. Roberta Estes (dnaexplain.com) presentation on this topic for FamilySearch was fantastic! • DNA Triangulation: Wha...
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[@doubleutee8867]

I'm surprised you skipped talking about the "Genetic Communities" portion of the test, because that's one of the most important parts of the test.

[@AncestryAimee]

Great comment! Thanks! Two basic reasons: I’m trying to keep my videos rather short and sweet and not everyone who tests are part of genetic communities. I am not. Communities are groups of people that have more DNA matches with each other than with people in other parts of Ancestry’s network. Plus they are strong DNA relationships. Communities are created based on DNA, the people matched and the trees of the matches. Here’s a video from Ancestry explaining it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5DHe4eHlLqIocU

[@doubleutee8867]

@@AncestryAimee I've literally watched hundreds of these ancestral DNA videos. Here's a question for you. In your research, and in your views, do these genetic communities cross companies to reveal compatible information with other DNA companies beyond just Ancestry DNA. I have saw several selected videos where this is usually the case when people compare cross company results. In other words, have you witnessed the same genetic communities from Ancestry DNA match those genetic groups in My Heritage DNA, or 'Recent Ancestors' sponsored by 23AndMe? Great video BTW.

[@AncestryAimee]

@@doubleutee8867 glad you liked the video! To be honest, I'm not positive. I haven't had that come up for clients as my type of work usually involves assisting someone find an ancestor and I primarily use the other tools. Many people don't have their DNA on multiple sites, they just purchase a test and use that information because they are most concerned with ethnicity. But as mentioned ethnicity results vary on the sites and is changing. I'll use myself as an example: you saw my ethnicity results on Ancestry in the video. On MyHeritage I am in the genetic group: Netherlands, Belgium, England (which is rather large and would be expected from my known relations). My ethnicity is 84.2% English and 15.8% Iberian which includes a larger portion of France (my French side which I mentioned). There is no mention of Irish, which is documented in my family line. DNA Explained has a good article which notes if you are performing genealogy research, you will likely have already identified your communities. See dna-explained.com/2017/03/28/genetic-communities/. Diahan Southard has an article which shows how the community assisted in a project: www.yourdnaguide.com/ydgblog/ancestrydna-genetic-communities

[@doubleutee8867]

@@AncestryAimee Thank you for your reply. I always find all of this fascinating and hopefully more people with questions will find your channel. It's good there are those who want to help others gather the information they need, and you are among the helpers. Thank you. I'll subscribe....

[@AncestryAimee]

@@doubleutee8867 thank you! My purpose for the channel! I appreciate these words as they help me want to keep going on the channel!

[@genew5758]

Just because your research shows you that your ancestors once lived in France doesn't mean they didnt migrate to France from another country.

[@AncestryAimee]

Excellent point! I only have this family traced back to about 1762 in that line, so it is possible my DNA is showing migratory results. However, my ethnicity on MyHeritage DNA results does look different and shows Iberian ethnicity which includes the part of France my family was from as well as Spain and Portugal. Ethnicity results will definitely vary between companies. Thanks for the comment and pointing that out.

[@sr2291]

@@AncestryAimee Do you have Sephardic Jewish ancestry?

[@AncestryAimee]

@@sr2291 I don’t.

[@JustAZillennial]

Exactly. My grandfather immigrated to the United States from Columbia. That doesn't mean he was born in Columbia. I watched some videos about Columbia, and apparently everyone, including immigrants to Columbia, all say they're from Columbia, which makes it more complicated

[@socrates5135]

Genetic inheritance is random and disproportionate, and it becomes more so with each generation back. For example, the average amount of DNA we inherited from our grandparents is 25 percent, but the actual percent can range from 17 to 34 percent from each grandparent. This explains why 10 percent of the time third cousins will have no shared DNA and cannot be linked in a DNA database as relatives. So genealogically you could have an ancestor from a particular place, like France, but not inherit any DNA form that ancestor but have a sibling who did. Thus, genealogy and genetics will not always match particularly for distant ancestors, and you will have ancestors in your family tree, the genealogy, who you did not inherit any DNA from, the genetics.

[@AncestryAimee]

You put that so well! Thank you. The chart from Blaine Bettinger I linked in the show notes shows the percentage ranges for various relations if anyone is wanting to delve deeper into this.

[@bigchase2759]

Thanks Aimee! New Mexico 🇺🇸 Just got our ancestry test in the mail today. Will definitely be looking to your channel for guidance

[@AncestryAimee]

Thanks!

[@r1verman]

Really enjoyed this video, so I "liked" and subscribed. I did my DNA on Ancestry several years ago. I've since had several updates. I once had some Greek and Italian. Now that's gone as well as other. Some have been there consistently with the percentages changing. My most recent has 1% of Ethiopian & Eritrea which was a surprise. I think in my mind when I did the test that I thought I'd get the results and I'd be set. I had no idea that results would change with new data. I really liked the point you made about what genetics could be passed down. I've found some French ancestry, yet none has shown in my results. I guess for me it's kind of sad when I get an ethnicity and I think that's cool. Then in the next update, it's gone. Look forward to viewing more videos on your channel! Thanks!

[@AncestryAimee]

Thanks Jeffrey! I completely agree about your feelings with changing ethnicity results. Hope you find equally helpful things in other videos!

[@sidsjusthonest]

I've officially "dipped my toe" in this thing. Thanks for the great content!

[@AncestryAimee]

Thanks!

[@christopherbagley300]

Useful info, thanks.

[@AncestryAimee]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barbaraanger428]

Great video.

[@AncestryAimee]

Thanks!

[@sr2291]

Not all DNA testing companies test for all geographical areas.

[@AncestryAimee]

True!

[@rituEllie]

DNA is crazy. I just did mine, and despite having no DNA to suggest that, found out my bio family's origins are in Poland? I found this out via the Leeds Method and traditional genealogy methods. It was kinda cool bit of info and totally threw me off.

[@AncestryAimee]

Great example! Thanks!

[@catherinetetreault8252]

I tried scrolling comments to hope not to repeat. Hope this is not covered. But with France, and maybe other countries, but France for sure, talk about how DNA testing is prohibited thus not providing the best "pool" . I know this is improving some, as the French find ways around the laws, but it must throw off statistics here. Maybe other Countries have put stumbling blocks to DNA research as well. My experience has been with France. And yes it is changing, but I do think it is still inaccurate due to this.

[@AncestryAimee]

Such a good point! Many French are trying to get around it but it has been illegal and I think that remains so today. Thanks for adding that!

[@jeffsaxton716]

I'm from the USA Intermountain West. It turned out my ancestry was mostly British, Irish, German and Nordic. Figures. I'm pale and blond. The only surprise is that I'm 1.5% North African! I wish I'd gotten a bit less melanin deficiency from that, but alas, I get a sunburn from parting the curtains.

[@AncestryAimee]

🤣 That’s awesome Jeff! I think we are all more of a melting pot that we realize!

[@Knoxvilletim]

Hi Aimee ... We are thoroughly loving your channel and the information you bring. Thank you! I just received my Ancestry DNA result and at first I thought we might be cousins but then I realized the person I was looking at was Amy Cross not Aimee Cross. Anyway, I have a question about thru lines. On one of my ancestors, it is showing some of my DNA relatives as half-cousins. When I check the ancestors' spouse, it shows them as cousins. I was thinking this may be because they are related by another marriage but I cannot find another marriage in either my tree or my DNA relatives' trees. How does Ancestry determine who is a half cousin and who is a full cousin? Do they use the information in the trees, Centimorgans, or both? I'm really puzzled! Tim

[@AncestryAimee]

Thank you so much! I don't blame you for your confusion! It's kind of hard to address without seeing your results. If you are interested in coaching, my private sessions are full, but the group session is open and you might enjoy that - you can share your screen, etc. For more info go to: www.patreon.com/aimeecross Anyway... thrulines is only as good as the trees people have put up there, which is the problem - there are incorrect trees. Ancestry uses cM as well as the trees. The amount of cM indicates a probable relationship type and the trees identify where in your family tree you might be related. There is more than one probable relationship for a given cM result. Visit Blaine Bettinger's page for a chart that shows probable relationships thegeneticgenealogist.com/2020/03/27/version-4-0-march-2020-update-to-the-shared-cm-project/. There are also some cool tools on DNA Painter as well: dnapainter.com

[@AncestryAimee]

Connie Knox of Genealogy TV, a good friend, just released a video today on DNA results you might enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laK4YouYpNOFe9E Ancestry recently did some BIG updates to their DNA results that are covered on her video.

[@Knoxvilletim]

@@AncestryAimee Thank you Aimee ... I'm going to check out your group sessions. Tim

[@annetteporo7933]

Thank you

[@AncestryAimee]

You're welcome

[@roncadillac3987]

Thanks!

[@AncestryAimee]

Thank you Ron!

[@MontyFondatent]

Thanks

[@bonniekridner404]

You mentioned printouts on some of your other videos, where can I find those? I am particularly interested in your timeline sheet.

[@AncestryAimee]

You can get them as part of Aimee's Crew KZbin membership or you can visit my Etsy page: www.etsy.com/shop/AncestryAimee. Hope it helps you!

[@user-fi7vs2tm4b]

I've just been diagnosed with OS Acromaile in my shoulder. Basically the bones didn't fuse together properly. The orthopedic doctor asked me if I had any black ancestry as it mainly occours in this ethnicity. I'm Irish and my ancestry DNA results were 97% Irish 3% Faroe Islands. The doctor was definately hinting strongly and it has left me puzzled and bemused. I do suspect we could have Spanish ancestry as a lot of my siblings have darker skin, hair and brown eyes. Spanish soldiers were also stationed nearby about 300 years ago. We are in this area at least 200 years back from what I've foind so far.

[@AncestryAimee]

Ethnicity reports are always changing. I’m sorry about your shoulder.

[@lionheart830]

Can you do an update on the Ancestry updates in the DNA area?

[@AncestryAimee]

Great idea! Thanks

[@Jay123hollis]

There is a book that has my family in it it's called Winston County and its people the book is about Winston County Mississippi. It has the Hollis side of my family in it.

[@AncestryAimee]

That’s terrific! Glad you found that!

[@Jay123hollis]

@@AncestryAimee I don't know if the book is in print anymore though.

[@AncestryAimee]

Check Google books.

[@ldsnurse9268]

My identical twin brother did the 23 and Me DNA test. I'd be interested to see if my results would be identical as they should be.

[@AncestryAimee]

Me too!

[@herewego2086]

What are the results? :)

[@pennychurchward1481]

Your ethnicity it almost exact as mine

[@AncestryAimee]

Crazy!

[@melsolomon8256]

You said you help adoptees find their bio families. My grandmother was adopted is it even possible to find out who her bio father is. She met her biological mother as an adult but never got info on biofather. I have not found any documentation that ties grandma to any of her biological family.

[@AncestryAimee]

She should do an Ancestry DNA test. After you get the results back you are welcome to contact me through my website.

[@geraldbrefka1145]

I found something very interesting. I took the ancestry DNA test looking for viking and found none. It took me 2 weeks to follow this rumor told by our dark age nobles. I found these busts that the Romans have 3000 years ago and my family look like twins of these guys still today and my last name means the eyebrow bridge of the Sarmatians. I wrote THE FIRST HORSE PEOPLE the complete history of my ancient tribe the Sarmatian knights and the Amazon women. We were the very first horse people and the only tribe the Romans feared and forced us to be their cavalry and took the sons very young for 30 years generationally for centuries. Which forced the daughters to be the warriors and defenders of the tribe. They didn't marry until the men would return to the tribe, they had arranged marriages. They didn't kill the boys but sent them to hide from the Romans. They found their tombs 3 years ago and have our DNA. All Slavs have Sarmatian DNA but we Poles have the most we are 50/50 Sarmatian/Slavic. The Romans have busts of the faces of all tribes where they had been. Many people could see ancient family members even in Africa.

[@AncestryAimee]

Wow! That’s SO interesting!

[@sr2291]

Ancestry tests only go back 8 generations so I doubt Viking would be referenced.

[@lynnscott9657]

I’ve done quite a bit already on my tree and, from what I know, my paternal line is all Scottish. My DNA results show some Norwegian (that part has changed from one Scandinavian country to another). So far, I don’t see anyone who isn’t Scottish. How far back in history might that Norwegian be? I know that Y-DNA goes way back in history, but what about autosomal?

[@AncestryAimee]

The autosomal is based on other people’s trees, particularly those of their reference panel which are people with deep regional roots. Ethnicity is not foolproof and changes like you mentioned. Autosomal DNA tests go back about 5-6 generations.

[@OpinionatedChicken59]

You can't really calculate it like that, if you have say 3% Norwegian DNA it could be that you have a Norwegian ancestor from 100 years ago OR it could have been passed down on one or multiple sides from centuries ago when Norwegian vikings settled in Scotland. You're better off researching your ancestors than going by your ethnicity results.

[@billbergendahl2911]

The Ancestry DNA Test that I did showed two percent Levant Ancestry. Does that mean Jewish?

[@AncestryAimee]

No it’s eastern Mediterranean. Check this out - whoareyoumadeof.com/blog/what-is-the-levant-dna-region-on-ancestry/

[@bookmouse2719]

Napoleon was from Corsica

[@AncestryAimee]

Thanks!

[@crazyblade8991]

I have a cross from Russia on one side other side to New York

[@AncestryAimee]

That’s interesting!

[@sr2291]

My adopted parents would probably have that. We just found out where they were from.

[@chrisanettawallace6641]

Free ancestry autosomal test kit?

[@AncestryAimee]

I’m sorry. I’m not sure I understand what you mean.

[@John-rz4cu]

In my background are many Cajuns, countless French who migrated to the colonies and Nova Scotia and those who never left France. Also Jews from Spain and other parts of Europe. None of this is included in my dna results from ancestry. To say it’s not an exact science is an understatement.

[@AncestryAimee]

Thanks for adding your perspective!

[@chrisanettawallace6641]

Another ancestry autosomal test giveaway?

[@AncestryAimee]

I’m sorry. I’m not sure I understand what you mean.

[@donyaichant6304]

YOU LOOK LIKE CAROL BURNETTE...

[@AncestryAimee]

Haha! Haven’t heard that. I remind a lot of people of someone!

[@vmizzell]

Percentages are basically nonsense since a small number of genes can determine a specific trait.

[@AncestryAimee]

Good point!

[@user-cn7ez4dm6e]

I'm sorry your not really French. No matter how much they told you, they lied to you. Your not French get over it

[@AncestryAimee]

🤣 Sorry. You’re wrong. But that’s ok.