How To Use Ancestry’s DNA Enhanced Shared Matches Tool

When it comes to genealogy research, DNA testing can open doors that traditional records sometimes can’t. Ancestry’s DNA features have been around since its beginning, but one tool stands out for helping us uncover more…the Enhanced Shared Matches Tool.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the benefits of the Enhanced Shared Matches Tool, how to use it effectively, and if it’s worth your money.

In a previous blog post, you learned about the non-DNA Pro Tools at Ancestry. Click here to read that article. Now let’s look at the remaining Pro Tool Ancestry offers…the Enhanced Shared Matches Tool.

What Is The Shared Matches Tool?

After you take an Ancestry DNA test, you’ll receive a list of DNA matches — these are people who share segments of DNA with you. The Shared Matches Tool goes a step further by revealing matches you and another person both share. This can help narrow down specific branches of your family tree.

Imagine you have a DNA match that you don’t recognize. Don’t worry, we all have them! With shared matches, you can quickly see who else is connected to both you and this mystery person. Often, shared matches belong to the same side of the family. This makes it easier to figure out whether the connection is maternal or paternal.

Where To Find Your Matches

After you log into your Ancestry account, choose the DNA tab at the top of your home screen. Then click Your Results Summary and View DNA Matches. This is nothing new…it’s how you’ve always found your DNA matches at Ancestry.com.

You’ll see your DNA match list in order of how much DNA you share with your matches. Click on their picture or name and a page pops up that shows how the two of you are related. Here’s one of my matches. (I’ve edited the screenshot to protect the match’s privacy.)

KL and I share 230 cM of DNA and Ancestry has suggested we are related on my mom’s side of the family. A centimorgan (cM) is a unit of measure in DNA.

At the bottom of the screen you’ll see whether or not the match has a searchable tree or if Ancestry has detected a common ancestor between the two of you. There is also a tab called Shared Matches. (If you have a Pro Tools membership there will be a green “PRO” next to that tab. That’s what I have.)

Shared Matches

After clicking on the Shared Matches tab, a table appears showing all the DNA matches that you and the selected person have in common. Without Pro Tools you’ll only see the shared matches between you and that person:

With Pro Tools an additional column appears, one that shows how much DNA your match shares with everyone else in the list:

This added information can go a long way into helping you figure out who these people are and how they are related to you. For example, I share 99 cM with Pamela, but KL shares 218 cM. Pamela and KL are more closely related. This can be a huge help in building your DNA family tree.

Make sure to include notes of what you find out along the way. You can also add custom tags to your matches to keep track of theories or possible relationships.

What Can You Learn From Shared Matches?

Family Lines

One of the best uses of shared matches is to zero in on specific family lines. For example, if you have a shared match that you know is connected through your paternal grandmother, other shared matches likely come from that same line.

Breaking Down Brick Walls

Sometimes, shared matches can be the key to solving mysteries in your family tree. If you’ve hit a dead end in your research, use shared matches to look for patterns in relationships. A group of shared matches might connect to an ancestor you haven’t considered yet.

Solving Unknown Parentage

For those of you dealing with unknown parentage, like adoptees or people with non-paternal events, shared matches can help pinpoint the correct branch of the family. By focusing on matches that share more DNA and appear on one side of the family, you can narrow down potential parents or grandparents.

Practical Tips For Using The Enhanced Shared Matches Tool

To get the most out of the Enhanced Shared Matches Tool, here are a few strategies you can use:

1. Start with the Closest Matches: Always begin with your closest DNA matches, those sharing more than 200 cM. These are usually second or third cousins. The closer the relationship, the more likely you’ll find shared ancestors quickly.
2. Filter Matches by Centimorgans: The ability to filter by centimorgan range can be a big help. Use it to focus on matches that share a significant amount of DNA. Lower cM matches (less than 20 cM) can be less reliable and harder to trace, so save those for later. You’ll find the Filter Shared Matches tab above your shared matches table on the left.
3. Compare Notes with Relatives: If you have known family members in your matches, work together to figure out the connections. Two heads are often better than one, and a family member might recognize a name or location you don’t.
4. Don’t Ignore Distant Matches: While the focus should be on closer matches, don’t ignore distant shared matches. If several people connect through a distant ancestor, you could uncover a new branch of your tree.
5. Organize Your Matches: With so many DNA matches to sift through, keeping everything organized is key. Use Ancestry’s notes and tagging features to sort matches by family line, possible connection, or research status. This will make it easier to revisit your work and track progress.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Although the Enhanced Shared Matches Tool is amazing, there are a few things to watch out for.

1. Not all matches are equal: Keep in mind that just because someone shares DNA with you and another match, it doesn’t guarantee they all connect in the same way. You could share one ancestor while your match shares another. Be careful and do your research before jumping to conclusions.
2. Over-filtering: Filtering out distant matches can save time, but it also means you might miss out on an important connection. Using several filters is fine, but compare that information with what you find using less filtering.
3. Assuming relationships too soon: DNA matches are only part of the puzzle. Use them with traditional records, family stories, and other genealogy tools to verify relationships before adding them to your family tree.

Finally

I initially wanted to use Pro Tools for just a month and then opt out, but I think I’ll keep it for now. I broke through a huge brick wall for my husband by using the Enhanced Shared Matches Tool.

In the end, it’s your decision whether or not all of the Pro Tools are worth the extra money. I’m going to keep it for a while and see how it helps me with my genealogy research, both DNA and traditional. I’d love to know if you’ve tried it and what you thought. Leave me a comment below.

Genealogy tip: In the notes field of each match, I write how I am related to them. For example, John Doe > James Doe > Jane Doe > me. That way when I open my match list again, I don’t have to remember a thing.

If you are ready to dive into your DNA match list and figure out some long-standing mysteries, I’d love to help. Click below for a free 30-minutes, no-obligation consultation.