Have you already answered the “5 Questions you Need to Answer before you do a DNA test” in our video series? No? Then click here first before you read any further!
Already taken an autosomal DNA test?
Wondering if your perfect DNA match tested at the other DNA testing company you haven’t tested at?
Do you want as many DNA matches as possible BUT not ready to financially invest in testing at ALL the DNA testing companies?
There’s an interim solution!
In under an hour from now you can get more DNA matches without spending a dime with this start guide on GEDmatch.
I’m ready! I already did my autosomal DNA test, and I want to move forward!
Awesome!
Check out this start guide I created for you on the tool GEDmatch.
I created this start guide because it’s one of the top two questions I get from people who just received their ancestral DNA testing results:
1 – I just got my ancestral DNA testing results back, now what do I do?
2 – how do I upload to GEDmatch?
Is GEDmatch right for me?
Answer these 6 questions:
✔️ Have you already done an autosomal DNA test?
✔️ Are you concerned about the financial investment when using all the DNA testing companies and want a free interim solution to get instant access to more DNA matches?
✔️ Are you frustrated AncestryDNA doesn’t have a chromosome browser like all the other DNA testing companies?
✔️ Do you want more tools to analyze and assess your DNA results and matches?
✔️ Do you prefer the convenience of emailing your DNA matches directly?
✔️ Want access to the DNA matches of your DNA matches?
If you responded with “oh yeah” to most of the questions above, then say hello to your new friend GEDmatch and keep on reading!
What’s GEDmatch?
GEDmatch is a free third party website, run by volunteers who have created a tool for those of us who have done an autosomal DNA test at the various DNA testing companies to talk to and share with one another without having to go and test at ALL the various DNA testing companies (see limitation below). Beyond this key benefit, it has many useful tools that allow us to compare and analyze our raw autosomal DNA.
Part 1 of 5
Should you consider using GEDmatch?
There are many reasons why you should consider using GEDmatch. Here are the top reasons:
More Autosomal DNA matches
Many of us long to connect with our DNA cousin matches, but the various DNA testing companies do NOT talk to one another. What if the DNA cousin match you are looking for is at the other DNA testing company you have not tested at? Now what? Does it mean you must now have to test at all the various DNA testing companies? Yes and no.
Ideally, yes, because unlike you, some of the DNA cousin matches you are longing to connect with have never heard of GEDmatch and/or have no idea how to upload to it.
For those who have uploaded to GEDmatch, you can save yourself some cash or take your time until you are able to invest testing at all the various DNA testing companies.
Chromosome browser
Did you test at AncestryDNA? Yes? Well, did you know they don’t offer a chromosome browser? Don’t fret, ’cause by uploading your raw autosomal DNA data file from AncestryDNA to GEDmatch, you now have access to a chromosome browser and can begin evaluating your shared segments with your DNA matches. Yehawwwwwwwww!
[Hold on!
You: Huh? Chromosome browser? Whatever. No biggie. I can live without it. Who needs a chromosome-browser-thing-ma-bob anyhow.
Me: Ummmmm, I’ll tell ya who. Anyone who is serious about trying to figure out how they are connected to a bunch of DNA cousins clumping up on the same segments, that’s who.]
Communication
The only way to communicate with our DNA matches is to use the internal messaging systems at the various DNA testing companies, which can be challenging. Some matches are slow to respond or worse, non-responsive and you can’t help but wonder if you had their email address and were able to directly email them, you’d have a better response rate. But, you’re stuck with those internal messaging systems. Well, not anymore because GEDmatch provides an email address per DNA file uploaded. It’s now easier to engage with your match as you now have their email address.
Useful tools
GEDmatch has many useful tools that allow us to compare and analyze our raw autosomal DNA (matching, chromosome browser, phasing, admixture calculators and other tools). How to get started using GEDmatch is covered in a video below.
Part 2 of 5
The pros, cons and limitations of GEDmatch.
Here are some of the pros, cons and limitations of using GEDmatch:
Pros
- increases your chances of meeting DNA cousins who have tested at other DNA testing companies (see limitation below)
- saves you money, as you don’t need to test at ALL the DNA testing companies to get more possible matches (see limitation below)
- no fee is charged to start using it (but do consider donating and/or gaining access to tools not available in the free version)
- attracts people who tend to be more serious about genealogical research
- a chromosome browser for the AncestryDNA testers
- another way to communicate with your DNA matches by way of an actual email address
Cons
- not the “prettiest” website (keep in mind it does a great job of filling a void and it is run by generous volunteers)
- your email can be seen by anybody who shares your DNA or has gotten access to your kit number and many of them do not blur out nor keep your email confidential when sharing with others
Limitations
Not everyone who tested at the various DNA testing companies have uploaded to GEDmatch! So what? If your goal is to get the most possible matches, then you will have to test at all the various DNA testing companies.
Part 3 of 5
How to upload to GEDmatch
Watch the 7 minute video below to learn how to upload your raw autosomal DNA data file to GEDmatch. It’ll walk you through a simple 3 step process:
Step 1 – register for a GEDmatch account
Step 2 – download your raw autosomal DNA data file from the DNA testing company
Step 3 – upload your file to GEDmatch
All of the popular DNA testing companies are covered in this short video (AncestryDNA, 23andMe* and Family Tree DNA).
*effective August 2017, 23andMe is using a new chip and if you tested thereafter you will NOT be able to upload to the legacy GEDmatch, BUT you can upload to GEDmatch Genesis.
watch the VIDEO below on:
how to download your raw autosomal DNA data file from your DNA testing company and upload it to GEDmatch > > >
Part 4 of 5
How to use GEDmatch
Now that you’ve uploaded your raw autosomal DNA data file to GEDmatch, it’s time to start using it.
Watch the video below on how to use GEDmatch.
watch the VIDEO below on:
how to use GEDmatch > > >
Part 5 of 5
Common Mistakes
Here are some of the top common mistakes people make with GEDmatch:
1 – Only AUTOSOMAL DNA testing results can be uploaded to GEDmatch.
I realize I’ve said this before, but I do feel the need to say it again as I’ve seen way too many people “try” to upload their mt-DNA and Y-DNA results to GEDmatch.
If you find yourself not fully understanding the different types of DNA tests, check out this quick start guide.
2 – GEDmatch is NOT a DNA testing company.
3 – GEDCOM is not the same thing as GEDmatch.
People confuse the two all the time, but not you, ’cause you are reading this article. GEDCOM is a data structure for storing and exchanging genealogical information (NOT DNA information) so different computer programs can use it.
4 – If you administer multiple DNA kits, don’t mix them up!
I recall a case where a gentleman uploaded his granddaughters DNA kit, thinking it was his daughters and became extremely upset, as you can imagine. It was days before he realized he had uploaded the incorrect kit. A big relief to him and a lesson to us all to upload the correct kit with the right name!
My next steps
Here are some suggestions on where you can go from here:
1 – Your next step might be to go back to the basics. I’ve observed the majority of people who do an ancestral DNA test do not have a solid handle on the basics of ancestral DNA testing knowledge. If you’d like to explore if your ancestral DNA testing knowledge is rocky or rock solid, go here.
2 – I’m always thinking about how best to support you as you embark upon your DNA journey. If you have ideas for articles or videos you’d like to see, contact me.
3 – Did you just read all about GEDmatch but still haven’t done an ancestral DNA test? Go here.
And most importantly, I invite you to join in and be part of the collaborative spirit behind GEDmatch. Here’s how:
I’m sharing this start guide on GEDmatch
because I want more DNA cousins finding each other
and I believe in the spirit of collaboration!
Join us in getting more DNA cousins finding each other by sharing this article!
Manita Morgado, CPA, BMath | Feb 1, 2018 | updated: April, 2018
© 2017-2018 DNA Knowledge Lab, all rights reserved