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Y-DNA Matches page - Detail View Guide

The Y-DNA Matches page allows you to view your direct paternal connections. This page can be arranged in two different layouts: the Detail View and the Table View. This article will explain the information available in the Detail View layout. For information on the Table View, please click or tap here.

Accessing the Y-DNA Matches Page - Detail View

You can access the Y-DNA Matches Page from your dashboard or navigation bar.

To access from your dashboard:

Y DNA Matches dashboard w numbers.png

  1. Sign in to your kit.
  2. On your dashboard, locate the Y-DNA Results & Tools section.
  3. In the Y-DNA Results & Tools section, click the Y-DNA Matches button. 

To access from your navigation bar:

Y DNA Matches Dashbord dropdown w numbers.png

  1. Sign in to your kit.
  2. Hover your mouse over Results & Tools on the navigation bar at the top of the page.
  3. Follow the drop-down menus to Y-DNA > Matches

Y-DNA Matches - Detail View Overview 

The Detail View of the Y-DNA Matches Page contains the following information:

Y-DNA STR Matches w Numbers.png

  1. Detail View - Toggles between the Detail View and Table View.
  2. Exact Search - Filters your matches to only those who meet the exact keyword(s) entered in the Search Field
    • For example, if you enter "I-FT759" in the Search Field, it will filter your matches to display only those that belong to I-FT759, but not matches on a more or less refined haplogroup such as "I-M253."
  3. Search field - Enter a name, Y-DNA haplogroup, or paternal country of origin. The search results can be adjusted in the Search Criteria Dropdown menu.
  4. Search Criteria Dropdown menu - Allows you to filter matches based on the following:
    Y-DNA matches Search criteria drop down menu.png
    • All - Includes only matches containing the name, mtDNA Haplogroup, or Paternal Country of Origin specified in the Search Field. 
    • Name - Includes only matches containing the first or last name specified in the Search Field. This is not case sensitive.
    • Y-DNA Haplogroup - Filters matches by paternal haplogroup. 
      • Note: Checking the Exact Search box will exclude any matches with more or less refined haplogroups than the one specified. 
    • Paternal Country of Origin - Filters matches by their self-reported direct paternal ancestor
      • Note: This must be an exact country match.
        • For example, if you enter "Great Britain" for the search criteria, it will return all matches at that match level who have listed "Great Britain", but not ones who have listed "England."
  5. Marker Level - Toggles between different match levels
  6. Filter - Opens a side bar menu with the following options:
    Y-DNA Matches Filter drop down.png
    • Genetic Distance - Filters matches to a specific Genetic Distance (GD). The options range from a perfect match (0 steps) to 10 steps.
      • Note: each match level has distinct Genetic Distance Limits. You can read more about these here
    • Groups - Filters matches to only those who are also members the same project you have selected.
    • Family Tree Types - Filters matches based on the type of family tree they have attached to their account. These filters apply to the settings in the Family Tree Sharing section on the Account Settings selected by the match. The options are: 
      • Public Trees - Trees that have been set to All FamilyTreeDNA users or Only Matches (when signed into a kit.)
      • Private Trees - Trees that have been set to Only Me.
      • Empty Trees - Individuals who do not have a family tree on their account.
      • Note: Kits that have a family tree connected to MyHeritage or WikiTree will be shown under the Public Trees filter.
    • Match Date - Filters matches to a specified date range. 
      • Note: If a Y-DNA test is upgraded to a higher marker level, the match date will display the most recent test date. 
      • You can organize matches based on match date in the Sort By drop-down menu (see below.)
    • Test Taken - Filters matches based on test type(s) taken.
  7. Sort by - Opens a drop-down menu with the following options:
    Y-DNA Matches Sort by dropdown.png
    • Markers Tested - Sorts matches based on the number of markers tested.
      • For example, you can sort all your Y-12 matches with all Big Y test takers at the top of the list, followed by Y-111 STR testers, and so on.
    • Y-DNA Haplogroup - Sorts matches from most refined haplogroup to least refined, or vice versa.
    • Paternal Country of Origin - Organizes matches based on their self-reported direct paternal country of origin.
    • Maternal Country of Origin - Organizes matches based on their self-reported direct maternal country of origin.
    • Paternal Earliest Known Ancestor - Organizes matches based on their self-reported direct paternal ancestor.
    • Maternal Earliest Known Ancestor - Organizes matches based on their self-reported direct maternal ancestor.
    • Most Recent Matches - Sorts matches from newest to oldest or vice versa based on their Match Date.
      • Note: If a Y-DNA test is upgraded to a higher marker level, the match date will display the most recent test date.
  8. Export CSV - Allows you to export All Matches, or only those matches included in the Filters you have applied.
  9. Match Name - The name your match has provided on their kit. Clicking the name will display the Match Profile Card.
  10. Test Type(s) - The test type(s) your match has taken. This can be helpful for Advanced Matching or referencing our mtDNA or Family Finder matching databases.
  11. Family Tree - Clicking this icon directs you to your match's family tree
    • Family Tree Icon.png= Has a tree available
    • No Family Tree icon.png= Does not have a tree available
  12. Edit Note Y DNA Matches Edit Note Icon.png - Opens the NOTES tab on the Match Profile Card.
    1. Note: These notes will not be seen by matches but ARE visible to Group Project Administrators to whom you have granted Limited or Advanced Access.
      See Group Project Administrator Access Levels and Permissions for more details.
    2. Note: Please note that the above note is a note about notes.
  13. Time Predictor Y DNA Matches TiP Calculator Icon.png - Opens the FTDNATiP™ Report
  14. Markers Tested - The number of STR markers they have tested. 
    • Note: Big Y test takers will list 1 to 700 in this column. For matching purposes, only the first 111 STR markers are counted.
  15. Genetic Distance - The number of Y-STR values that differ between two people. 
  16. Big Y STR Differences - This applies only if you and your match have taken Big Y tests. 
    • You can learn more about Big Y STR results here
  17. Y-DNA haplogroup - Your matches' haplogroup. This can vary depending on the level of testing they have.
    • You can read more about differences in haplogroups with your matches here
  18. Paternal Country of Origin -Lists the country of origin of your match's self-reported direct paternal ancestor.
  19. Paternal Earliest Known Ancestor - Lists your match's self-reported direct paternal ancestor.
  20. Match Date - Lists the date the test taker became a match. 
    1. Note: If a Y-DNA test is upgraded to a higher marker level, the match date will display the most recent test date. 
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