Week 51: Cousins (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2023 Version)

The theme for Week 51 is "Cousins." The neat thing about this theme is that we genealogists know that everyone is our cousin! That definitely opens up the possibilities for who to write about! Whether you focus on a close one or someone who is barely attached to your family tree, share the story of one of your cousins this week. (Click here to check out all the Themes from 2023.)

Cousins, we sure have lots of them! The realization of the extensive network of cousins becomes apparent as I delve into my DNA Matches. Examining my AncestryDNA test results reveals an impressive count of 1052 close matches, encompassing 4th cousins or closer, exhibiting a shared centimorgan range between 20 and 3,490. This figure includes not only my siblings, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews but also extends to a broader familial scope. Subtracting these nine close relatives, I am left with 1043 connections. Additionally, I've identified 21,961 distant matches within the 6 to 20 centimorgan range, bringing the grand total of matches to 23,004. Regrettably, I've only been able to pinpoint 123 of these connections.

Within my family tree, approximately 226 DNA Matches have been identified. It's noteworthy that I underwent testing with multiple DNA companies, having results at 23 & Me, with subsequent transfers to myHeritage and FTDNA.

In my genealogy program, I introduced a dedicated field labeled "DNA" featuring four possible values: blank, DNA Match, DNA Connection, or Common Ancestor. Following a DNA Match or DNA Connection, I diligently input the Common Ancestor's name. This structure enables the generation of various reports to assess Common Ancestors with the most matches.

Upon scrutinizing a recent report and comparing it with flagged entries on Ancestry's side, I contemplated distinguishing between DNA Matches originating from Ancestry versus those from other platforms. Realizing the need for precision, I intend to update my verbiage from "DNA Match" to "Ancestry DNA Match," "23 & Me DNA Match," or "FTDNA Match" to enhance the report's usefulness.

Why does the testing company matter? It becomes crucial when concentrating on a specific lineage, as it allows me to identify the testing company with the most matches for that lineage. That company may be the place I start a project identifying more matches.

Consequently, a new project emerges: reviewing and appropriately labeling all DNA Matches in my genealogy program based on the testing company. This meticulous approach facilitates the identification of individuals who may have undergone testing with more than one company. It also necessitates cross-verification of labels on the testing site; for instance, on AncestryDNA, a color-coded group labeled "Confirmed DNA Match – entered into FTM" is established, while on other platforms, the notes field serves to record their presence in my family tree.

In conclusion, the journey of genealogy is not only about discovering connections (cousins) but also about organizing and optimizing the wealth of information gleaned from our DNA Cousin Matches. So, onwards with the project.

Remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy!