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How to find relatives using your DNA results

If you have your results or are thinking about being tested you may be wondering how is it used to find relationships. First your DNA will be tested at a set of loci (locations in a DNA spectra). These loci are assigned numbers or alleles. For instance I am P16 in on the results page and I am located in "Family Group #2". As you look at my data you will see that under DYS393 I have a value of 13. The number 13 is the allele for locus (singular for loci) DYS393. Hence, I can associate each loci with an allele. Since I was tested at both Relative Genetics and Family Tree DNA (it is not necessary to be tested at both companies) I have allele numbers for 48 loci. The first few are DYS393=13, DYS390=24, DYS19=15, DYS391=10 and so on. When you are tested you will get a certificate with these numbers. To make these numbers useful you need to search databases of DNA results. We will can also search these databases for you. There are currently three really good databases: YBase, YSearch and SMGF. You enter your values into the database and request to search for matches. If you match with another individual at say 35 out of 37 loci, you and this individual have a common paternal ancestor. If that individual was wise they provided the search engine with information on how to contact them. More information can be obtained from the URL's at these three really good databases are:

• Ybase

• Ysearch

• SMGF

To see how it works I have entered my information into these databases. If you click on the following links you will be able to search the database and find everyone with DNA that matches mine.

• Search Ybase for my DNA matches FN9CB-Gregory A. Parker Click 34 under option 2 and then the search button. You will see that I match several individuals including (KN4SY, HA5LK, BZ8NJ, DO6SL and others).
• Search SMGF for my DNA matches Gregory A. Parker You see several possible matches. Click pedigree chart button on the table to get more information. You will see that I have a close match with a descendent of Joshua Parker (born 1809). Since the two of us differ by only one at one loci we have a common paternal ancestor. If you know who this is please let me know because I don't. The DNA evidence proves that we are related but cannot give us the name of the individual. We need to do more paper work to find the connection. It does provide a definite direction for further research. If you want to have your DNA included in the SMGF data base it is free just request a free DNA test kit.
• Search Ysearch for my DNA matches EZXCZ-Gregory A. Parker Select "a maximum genetic distance of" 3 under the "allow" option. Select "Only show people with my last name" under the "Limit search by last name" option Click search and you will see that I match several individuals.

Experiment with the different options and feel free to contact me if you have additional questions.