AncestryDNA Update on 6-7cM Removal

I just received this today after writing with my concerns that this removal is happening too quickly, and that one of my tester's result was due July 31.


The email stated: 

Hello Emily, Thank you for contacting Ancestry in regard to AncestryDNA matches. We apologize for the delayed response, and are happy to help. We have reviewed your inquiry, and feel that this information may help.As Ancestry continues to improve the accuracy of our DNA matching algorithms, we’ll be changing the way we calculate the amount of DNA that members share with their matches. Here’s what these changes will mean for our members: More Accurate number of shared segments (Goes live early August) The DNA you share with a match is distributed across short segments, long segments, or some combination of both. Our updated matching algorithm may reduce the estimated number of segments you share with some of your DNA matches. This doesn’t change the estimated total amount of shared DNA (measured in centimorgans/cM) or the predicted relationship to your matches. Ability to see the length of the longest shared segment (Goes live Mid-August) The length of the longest segment you and a DNA match have in common can help determine if you’re actually related. The longer the segment, the more likely you’re related. Segment length is also the easiest way to evaluate the difference between multiple matches that all show the same estimated relationship. Our updated matching algorithm can show you the length of the longest segment you share with your matches. Distant DNA matches must share 8 cM or higher (Goes live late August) Our updated matching algorithm will increase the likelihood you’re actually related to very distant matches. As a result, you’ll no longer see matches or be matched to people who share 7.9 cM or less DNA with you unless you’ve messaged them and/or included them in a note, or added them to a group (including your starred group). This means you will have fewer DNA matches and ThruLines™. Based on customer feedback, we are delaying this change until late August so you have time to review and determine if you want to save any very distant matches by adding them to a group, starring them, adding a note, or sending them a message. We hope this helps. Thank you for contacting Ancestry. Have a nice day! If you need additional assistance, please feel free to reply to this message or call us at 1-800-ANCESTRY (1-800-262-3787) between the hours of 9am to 11pm EST, seven days a week. Sincerely, Lacuria Customer Solutions Associate Ancestry

Ancestry removes more matches...it's not the first time.

By now, most of you know that starting around August 1 (no definate time has been given), Ancestry will change their algorithm and removed all matches at 6 and 7cM unless you have a note on them or have them in a catagory or have emailed them.

I've been working hours on just getting my 7cMs in a group.  I have run into issues with the site stopping before it allows me to download all the matches in their running page.  If we had page numbers as I mentioned to them when they decided to drop those, this would be easier and go faster.  For example after working HOURs yesterday just on 7cMs, I think I only had a couple of hundred to go.  It took me 50 minutes of continually using the down arrow to get back to where I stopped.  After that the site froze again.

I also had a call last night from a friend who was VERY upset as she had 42 tests she manages ...AND as she is African American she needs thos lower centiMorgans for her research.  AND, she hasn't even begun with the matches who are in African.  Although this may seem too small, it has lead her to answers using theses centiMorgans form 6-7.

AND, I have found at least two-dozen matche at the 7cM range that appear not to match me any other way since I have Colonial Ancestors and a pedigree chart that is robust, using GPS (Genealogy Proof Standards).

So...why am I whining about all this?  I need you to know that you have a short amount of time to do a big job, along with thousands of other testers.

At least we have a couple of weeks.  In the past we didn't know how much time for some of their chantges.

SO...as I need to return to my matches list, I'm just going to post these blogs where you can read about what to do.

• Losing distant matches at AncestryDNA by Blaine Bettinger
• AncestryDNA updates coming: what to do next by Diahan Southard
• Ancestry's 2020 matching white paper by Leah Larkin
• AncestryDNA matching white paper, last updated on 15 July 2020
• Ancestry to Remove DNA Matches Soon by Robert J. Estes 
• AncestryDNA's White Paper

Have fun!  (I'm not!)

Emily

Father's Day Sale at Family Tree DNA

Family Tree DNA's Father's Day Sale has begun and will last through June 21!

Take advantage of these great savings!!!

Family Finder (FF) Test was $79; now $59

Y-DNA Tests
Y-37 was $119; now $109
Y-111 was $249; now $219
Big Y-700 was $449; now $399

And then there are Bundles (i.e., a Y test and the Family Finder Test)
Take an extra $9 off the Sale prices when you bundle!

Upgrades:
Y-12 to 37 was $79; now $59
Y-12 to 67 was $149; now $129
Y-12 to 111 was $199; now $159

Y-25 to 37 was $49; now $39
Y-25 to 67 was $119; now $99
Y-25 to 111 was $189; now $149

Y-37 to 67 was $89; now $69
Y-37 to 111 was $139; now $109

Y-67 to 111 was $89; now $79

Y-12 to Big Y-700 was $399; now $359
Y-25 to Big Y-700 was $389; now $349
Y-37 to Big Y-700 was$339; now $319
Y-67 to Big Y-700 was$279; now $259
Y-111 to Big Y-700 was $239; now $229
Big Y-500 to Big Y-700 was $209; now $199

Only at Family Tree DNA can you get the Y-chromosome test.  You may ask why should I upgrade, well...

Each test level (i.e., Y-37 tests 37 markers on the Y-chromosome) has threshold, so by upgrading you can get additional matches.  Also, the &-37 is now considered the most basic Y test and if you have a common haplogroup you can receive hundreds of matches which may not be that close in generations. You really need to upgrade to narrow the matches to whom is most relevant.

We typically do not see another sale until Summer so don't pass this by.

Best wishes,
Emily

MyHeritage Offers Access to Records

For the month of June, each day MyHeritage will allow access to a different historical record collection.




The company states:

The collections we have chosen for this offer were handpicked for their value for family historians and include collections that are exclusive to MyHeritage. Among them are the Sweden Household Examination Books, 1840–1947, 1940 Denmark Census, and U.S. City Directories. Altogether, we’ll be providing free access to more than 2 billion historical records throughout June!

All the collections are available on www.myheritage.com/research, and you can find the full schedule for the free collections, including direct links, on our blog.

Check it out!

Enjoy and stay safe,
Emily

Staying Home? Bored? Try these ideas.

Greetings!

I know many of you are staying home due to our world's heath issues. At least, I hope very many of you are home so we can slow this virus and give the medical facilities the ability to handle those in need.

However, I do know that many of you may be a bit bored. Of course, you can get out into your yards or on the sidewalks as long as you do not come in contact with others. A daily walk is good for you, as well as breathing that fresh air. BUT, that means many hours inside. What to do!!!

I have many ideas, especially since those of you reading this are genealogists!

1.  In your search engine, put a topic of interest on genealogy or genetic genealogy and then add:  YouTube. There will be many, many free webinars that could interest you.

2. Other free webinars: 
    Family Tree DNA has them on all their tests. Scroll to the bottom of the home page and click on LEARNING CENTER and put WEBINAR in the search box.
    Legacy Family Tree has many on both genealogy and genetic genealogy. They are also available a week after they are presented. You do not get the handouts, however. Go to: https://familytreewebinars.com/

3. Check Facebook for many, many genealogy and genetic genealogy groups. Your questions are welcomed and many people are ready to answer them.

4. Test your DNA if you have not and test cousins and other relatives. Companies have sales rather often. Check their websites. If you have tested, at AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, transfer to Family Tree DNA and pay the $19 to get all the bells and whistles. MyHeritage takes transfers, also, but costs a bit more.

5. Read genetic genealogy blogs.  These are some of my favorites:
    DNAeXplained by Roberta J. Estes
    The Genetic Genealogist by Blaine Bettinger
    Kitty Cooper's Blog

6.  If you have an adoption in your family or a recent line which is unknown, DNAAdoption.org may help. Get involved with the discussions and download the free handout entitled A Methodology to Indentify Relatives with autosomal DNA Test Data.

7. Enhance your pedigree chart. The more detailed it is, the easier to find the common ancestors you share with your matches. Not only use the subscriptions you have, use your browser to search various counties and libraries for additional information. Be creative with your searches.

8. Carefully go through your pedigree in your genealogy software to locate errors to correct. Often you can find duplication of names that need merging. Spelling errors from quick typing seem to be my issue!

9. Write a bio for some of your family members or ancestors. Your descendants will appreciate your compiling names, dates, and places into a narrative. These can be short vignettes. I teach a class on writing one's childhood memories and family stories and find several of my members compile these stories and give them as a Christmas gift. You have time to do this now.

10.  Do not forget to write about your own life. No matter how boring you may think it will be, it is not. AND, write about the times in which we live now. Your experiences are very much more important than those of our collective society or what the historians write.  If you need help or ideas, see my blog: Writing Your Memories. My booklet "Memoing" My Memories provides 130 topics, and for each topic you can write many more than a single story or two. You can only order it directly from me. The beginning of the blog has many tips and suggestions on writing; later are some wonderful stories written by my class members...some are so funny; some just cannot be explained; some are a bit scary! Just browse through them all.

11.  Search Google Books and other free ebooks on your topic or location of interest. You can even save them to review later.

12. Read the books you have on genetic genealogy or order more from Amazon.

13.  Check-in with your matches and other researchers you know to collaborate on your lines and to share this list.

14. So by now, in needing a break from our all-consuming hobby, clean out those closets...or like me, clean off my desk (One would think I was a CPA in the middle of tax season!) Do those awful household chores and get some exercise even if it is only in they house or yard.

15. Check on friends and family via the phone, email, etc. If you have a surplus of items that someone who is sheltering in place may need, offer to share. Just drop off the items at the front door so not to expose anyone. I have already done this. We must support each other.

Above all, stay safe and be well.

Hugs to you all.
Emily

Family Tree DNA’s St. Patrick’s Day Sale

Family Tree DNA's St. Patrick's Day Sale is from March 6^th to March 17^th

 

It's a $20 savings!  The luck of the Irish!

Family Finder was $79; now $59

Also get $9 off each additional tested added to a bundle

Bundles
Family Finder + Y-37 was $189; now $169

Family Finder + Y-111 was $319; now $299

Family Finder + Full mitochondrial Sequence (FMS) was $339; now $319

Family Finder + Y-111 + FMS was $469; now $449

Test!  You could be my cousin!

Best wishes,
Emily

MyHeritage - Updates

I cannot begin to update you on what has been happening at MyHeritage.

Not only can you colorize your black and white photos by uploading them. The directions state:  "...click on any black and white photo you already have, then click Colorize. Your original photos will not be changed."  These can be shared with family and friends.  The following is their example:

You can create a fan tree to share with friends and relatives. Here's an example of the fan tree (all people in it, but me have passed) The default is six generations, but you can add more. There are small marks where the lines do go back farther.  This was also very easy me to add more ancestors.  Just click on the blank and up pops a screen.  What I really love is the fact that you have many choices for dates, including:  exact, circa, before, between, after, etc.  AND...by clicking on a name (see the one is light orange), details of the family are displayed on the left, just as you see with the other pedigree layouts.

You can also get the fan chart in a color block form. Hovering over a space gives you a name. Clicking on the name gives you family details in a column to the left.

And, now they have uploaded 25,000 U.S. city directories published between 1860 and 1960. Their entire historical record database contains 11.9 billion records now. This collection will increase in the future.

MyHeritage’s announcement on this states:  “The online collection of U.S. city directories is now available on SuperSearch™, MyHeritage’s search engine for historical records. Searching the collection is free. A subscription is required to view the full records and to access Record Matches.”

I’m sure I have missed some announcements over the last few weeks; however, when MyHeritage started a few years ago, I called them the “new kid on the block”, but I could see they were rapidly catching up to the other “big boys”!

Hey...what's next MyHeritage! 

Enjoy, Emily