Chromosome Browser Guide

Understanding the DNA Matches Section 

The DNA Matches section lists your Family Finder™ matches and contains the following columns:

• Name - Name of your match.
  • You can click on the name of your match to view their profile and to add notes pertaining to that match.
  • If you have activated Family Matching for your kit, a symbol indicating whether your match is Paternal, Maternal, or Both is displayed under your match's name.  
• Relationship Range - Possible relationship range of that match to you.  
• Shared Segments - Number of segments you and your match share.
• Shared cM - The sum of autosomal DNA measured in centiMorgans (cM) shared by you and your genetic match.
• Longest Block - The longest segment of autosomal DNA in centiMorgans (cM) shared by you and your genetic match. 

Filtering Matches by Relationship Type

You can filter your matches by relationship range or type of match. The following options are available:

• All Matches - Displays all of your Family Finder matches.
• Immediate Relative - Displays your Family Finder matches in the Immediate Relative range. 
• Close Relative - Displays your Family Finder matches in the Close Relative range. 
• Close and Immediate Relatives - Displays your Family Finder matches in the Close Relative and Immediate Relative ranges. 
• Distant Relative - Displays your Family Finder matches in the Distant Relative range.
• Remote Relative - Displays your Family Finder matches in the Remote range. 
• X-Match - Displays Family Finder matches who match you on the X chromosome.
• Paternal Match - Displays your paternal Family Finder matches.**
• Maternal Match - Displays your maternal Family Finder matches.**
• Paternal and Maternal Match - Displays your paternal and maternal Family Finder matches.*

*You will only have matches considered Paternal and/or Maternal when you have Family Matching activated for your kit. 

To filter your matches by relationship type:

1. In the upper-left of the DNA Matches section, click the Filter match by drop-down list, and select the option by which you want to filter.
   Your matches are automatically filtered by the option you selected. 

Filtering Matches by Name

You can filter matches by a specific first name or last name.

To filter matches by a specific name:

1. In the upper-right of the DNA Matches section, in the Search First or Last Name field, enter the name for which you want to search.
   Your matches who have that name are listed.  

Filtering Matches You Have in Common/Not in Common 

You can select a Family Finder match and then filter to see which Family Finder matches the two of you have in common or which of your matches you do not have in common with the selected match.

To filter matches you have in common or not in common with a specific match:

1. In the DNA Matches section, for the match you want to compare, click the three vertical dots displayed to the far right of that match's row.
2. Then select:
   1. In Common With - Select if you want to show the matches that you have in common with the specific match.
   2. Not In Common With - Select if you want to show the matches that you do not have in common with the specific match. 

Downloading All Segment Data 

To download a file of the Detailed Segment Data for all autosomal matches, click the Download All Segments button in the upper-right corner of the page. 

The download gives you a breakdown of the DNA segment data shared with all of your autosomal matches. The following columns are in this file:

• Match Name - Name of the match with whom you are comparing shared segments.
• Chromosome - Chromosome on which you share the DNA segment.
• Start Location - Location on the chromosome where the shared segment starts.
• End Location - Location on the chromosome where the shared segment ends.
• Centimorgans (cM) - The sum of autosomal DNA measured in centiMorgans (cM) in that shared segment.
• Matching SNPs - Number of matching SNPs in the shared segment. 

Note: You can also download segment data for only the matches you select to compare. See Download Comparison Segment Data. 

Comparing Matches 

Comparing Matches Walkthrough

To compare your shared DNA segments:

1. Click the empty checkbox that is displayed to the left of your match's name.
   Once selected, your match is added to the Compare list. You will see this section to the left of the DNA Matches section.* 
2. Under the Compare list, click the orange Compare button.
   The Shared DNA Segments page is displayed with your shared DNA segment data. 

*You can select up to seven matches at one time for comparison. 

Removing Matches from Comparison 

Removing Matches in the Compare DNA View 

To remove one selected match from comparison: 

In the Compare list to the left of the DNA Matches section, click on the X that is displayed to the right of the match's name.
OR
In the DNA Matches section, simply deselect the checkbox displayed to the left of your match's name.

To remove all selected matches from comparison: 

Under the Compare list, click Clear. All matches will be removed from the Compare list.

Removing Matches in the Shared DNA Segments View 

To remove one selected match from comparison:

At the top of the page, click on the X in the upper-right corner of the match's name card.

Viewing Shared DNA Segments

Chromosome View 

On the Shared DNA Segments page, the Chromosome View tab gives you a visual view of you and your selected matches' shared DNA segments per each chromosome.

You can hover your cursor over a segment for more information. 

Comparison Detailed Segment Data

On the Shared DNA Segments page, the Detailed Segment Data tab gives you a breakdown of your shared DNA segment data. The following columns are on this page:

• Match Name - Name of the match with whom you are comparing shared segments.
• Chromosome - Chromosome on which you share the DNA segment.
• Start Location - Location on the chromosome where the shared segment starts.
• End Location - Location on the chromosome where the shared segment ends.
• Centimorgans (cM) - The sum of autosomal DNA measured in centiMorgans (cM) in that shared segment.
• Matching SNPs - Number of matching SNPs in the shared segment. 

Downloading Comparison Segment Data 

Note: The option to download your matches list and segment data is currently unavailable as we work on enhancements. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience.

To download a file of the Detailed Segment Data for the matches you are comparing, click the Download Segments button in the upper-right corner of the Shared DNA Segments page. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which of my Family Finder matches I am comparing in the Chromosome View?

Each selected match is shown at the top of the Shared DNA Segments page with a color-coded bar above their image and name.  

The color of this bar corresponds to the color in which their matching segments are displayed.  

On the Chromosome View, what do the striped, gray segments mean?

On the Chromosome View, the striped, gray segments signify that the region is "SNP Poor."  That is, the microarray chip did not include enough data points in this area to make a scientifically sound judgment about whether or not the match's segment is Identical By Descent (IBD). When segments that cross these areas are evaluated for IBD status, they are treated as two separate segments, one on each side of the SNP Poor area. 

On the Chromosome View, what are the matching regions?

On the Chromosome View, the matching regions are half-matching DNA Segments that you share with your match. Each of your autosomal chromosomes comes half from your mother and half from your father. 

How do I start a new comparison? 

Once you have compared a match or matches, in the upper-right corner of the Shared DNA Segments page, click the Update Selected Matches link. You will be redirected to the DNA Matches section where you can start a new comparison.