 DNA Mystery Match: Mapping DNA connections to uncover an unexpected match on Ancestry Genealogy often feels like a puzzle, but sometimes it can resemble a mystery novel with unexpected twists and hidden characters. Recently, I encountered another “mystery match” on Ancestry—a previously unknown relative who shared a significant amount of DNA with my 1c2r, while working on organizing her paternal DNA matches (the side we share), yet didn’t quite fit into the known family tree. Here’s how I approached this genealogical mystery and pieced together the clues. 1. A Surprising Match: The First Clue The journey began with a surprising DNA match categorized as “Close Family” by Ancestry. They shared 426 cM of DNA and Ancestry predicted them as a 1st cousin 2x removed, which these centimorgans suggests a relationship in the range of a 1st cousin 1x removed (1c1r), a half grandnephew, a great-great nephew, or a half first cousin (1/2 1c), among others—each intriguing and requiring a closer look to confirm. 2. Tools for Relationship Estimation Using three key tools, Ancestry’s “Frequency of Relationships”, DNA Painter’s Shared cM Project Tool, and MyHeritage’s cM Explainer tool, I analyzed these possible relationships. Both former tools highly suggested the most likely possibilities were Great-Great-Nephew, Half Great-Nephew, 1C1R, Half 1C, Half Great- Uncle, or possibly a Great-Great-Uncle, and the later tool highly suggested 1C1R. But this was just the start—the tools help narrow the field, but genealogy is about testing hypotheses.  Ancestry’s “Frequency of relationships”- Partial  DNA Painter’s Shared cM Project Tool's "Relationship probabilities"  MyHeritage’s cM Explainer "Possible relationships" 3. Shared Matches: Clues from Family Connections I began comparing their shared matches. By cross-referencing these shared matches, I found some links that connected our DNA mystery to known family members who are descendants of her grandparents’ children, thus her father and his siblings—in which two are known to have had extramarital affairs. This provided an important clue: this new match was likely another result of our family’s history of complex relationships. 4. Analyzing cM Comparisons and Mapping Relationships To further test my hypothesis, I reviewed the cM values of known family members who share connections with this mystery match, using not only the Shared Matches tool, but the Shared Matches Pro Tool as well. Comparing cM values from other relatives on this line, I found patterns that suggested a very close family link. Based on their age (if the match is the only associate of the test manager that I found in public records with a name that fits the screen name initials) and likely generation, the match seemed to fit best as a half great-nephew--but identifying exactly where they fit requires more direct evidence, thus more work needs to be done analyzing cM comparisons and mapping relationships for the other 3 possibilities—1C1R, Great-Great-Nephew, or Half 1C. 5. Reaching Out to Potential Relatives The next step was to contact the mystery match’s test manager, as his screen name was just initials. Although the account had been inactive for over a year, I tried reaching out via Ancestry messages and Facebook (after I checked through public records, so I knew who to look for based off age, location, and associates). This is often a waiting game, and not everyone responds, but sometimes, persistence pays off. Every piece of information can make a difference, and connecting with living relatives can clarify lingering questions. 6. Lessons Learned: Tips for Investigating Mystery Matches This mystery match investigation highlighted several useful techniques for anyone facing a similar DNA puzzle:
By following these steps, I’ve gotten closer to understanding how this mystery match fits into our family story. DNA testing is a powerful genealogical tool, but it’s detective work as well. Each match is another chapter in the family’s story—one just waiting to be told. © 2024 Diane Henriks @ Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family More Genetic Genealogy/DNA ResourcesFind more DNA genealogy resources, tips, and other info under the Genetic Genealogy and DNA category. More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. More Genealogy Brick Walls and MysteriesFind more genealogy brick wall research, tips, and other info under the Genealogy Brick Wall Research category. More Genealogy Research TipsFind more genealogy research tips under the Genealogy Research Tips category.
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 AncestryDNA’s Biggest Update Ever! AncestryDNA just launched its biggest update yet, adding a variety of new features and regions designed to help us get more out of our DNA results. This update includes a total redesign of the platform, offering improved accessibility, faster performance, and enhanced mobile support. With the launch of 24 new DNA regions and the introduction of 54 subregions in Europe, as well as 64 ethnic groups in Africa, this is Ancestry’s most significant update to date. Let's take a look at what's new and how these changes can impact your family history journey. 1. New Regions and Subregions: Precision at Its Finest AncestryDNA has expanded its geographic coverage significantly with the introduction of 24 new DNA regions. This includes:
 AncestryDNA's 24 New Regions for 2024 2. African Ethnic Groups: A Cultural Deep Dive A standout feature of the update is the addition of ethnic groups in Africa, which reflect communities of people who share common cultural characteristics, such as language, religion, customs, and national origin. Ancestry has added 64 ethnic groups, providing a richer understanding of African heritage. This is a significant leap forward, especially for those researching African ancestry, where historical records can often be scarce or difficult to trace. With these ethnic groups, we can explore connections beyond just geography. The groups provide insight into cultural dynamics, migration patterns, and community history, offering a deeper perspective on their ancestral stories. 3. Refreshed Design and Feature Name Changes In addition to the new regions and features, AncestryDNA has undergone a total redesign. The new, more accessible design aims to enhance usability, whether you're accessing the site on a desktop or a mobile device. Several features have also been renamed for greater clarity:
 AncestryDNA's "Ethnicity Estimate" Changed to "Ancestral Regions" with 24 New Regions and 54 Subregions in Europe  AncestryDNA's "DNA Communities" Changed to "Journeys"  Changes to DNA Inheritance Terms: New "Ancestral Regions by Parent" and New "Ancestral Journeys by Parent" 4. Improved Performance and Accessibility AncestryDNA’s update isn’t just cosmetic—it's also designed to improve site performance. The updated platform supposedly gives faster load times, even on slower connections, to make it easier to explore our results without delay. Enhanced support for mobile devices will mean that you can seamlessly access your DNA insights on the go. 5. Enhancements and Future Plans Ancestry’s redesign also seems to lay the groundwork for future enhancements. While the update intends to improve user experience and understanding of the platform, it also sets the stage for more features and tools in the coming months and years. We can look forward to continued improvements that will further refine the accuracy and depth of our results. My Experience: New Insights and a Few Growing Pains Personally, my Ancestral Regions (formerly "Ethnicity Estimates") have remained fairly consistent and seem to align even more closely with my known family history. I’ve noticed the increased precision in the new subregions, which has given me a deeper understanding of my ancestral ties. However, there are still a few kinks in the system. For example, although my regions were marked as “Updated October 2024,” it now shows “Updated July 2024.” Additionally, some of the new subregions assigned to me were removed within days of the update. I’ve also encountered issues with managing my list of others DNA results that I manage, which is now disorganized and not in alphabetical order as it was before. Despite these minor bugs, the update is a significant improvement, offering a more immersive and accurate understanding of my DNA results. The potential for future enhancements makes me hopeful that AncestryDNA will continue to evolve and improve over time.
User Experience Challenges: Not All Changes Are for the BetterWhile AncestryDNA's latest update has introduced exciting new features and a fresh design, there are some changes that make navigating the platform more difficult for users like myself.
Final Thoughts Ancestry’s biggest DNA update brings exciting new features and refinements that will help genealogists and family historians gain more insight into their ancestral roots. From expanded regions to enhanced design and performance, this update represents a major step forward in how we explore our family history. While there are still a few hiccups to iron out, and some important features that I found useful now missing or changed, the overall experience has been positive, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Ancestry will continue to build on these improvements. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to revisit your AncestryDNA results and see how these new updates could unlock more of your family story. © 2024 Diane Henriks @ Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family More Ancestry and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Ancestry.com and the Genealogy Resources categories of my blog and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Ancestry's New Community Groups Feature Exciting news for genealogists and family historians! Ancestry.com has introduced a new BETA feature, Community Groups, set to transform how we connect, share, and collaborate in our genealogical journeys. While still in its testing phase and available to select users, this feature promises to be a valuable addition to Ancestry's toolkit. What Are Community Groups? Currently, the Community Groups feature showcases three public groups:
First Impressions and Potential Though still in BETA and not fully accessible, the feature appears to be aimed at fostering community engagement and collaboration. Users can join groups, but full functionality—including viewing and participating in discussions—is not yet available. The placeholder message reads: "Coming soon: Community groups. We’re building a space for you to connect with others, celebrate your milestones, ask for help, and uncover more about your family history. Check back soon for updates." Why This Matters As a professional genealogist, the prospect of these community groups is incredibly promising. Here’s why:
Final Thoughts While we await the full rollout, the anticipation surrounding Ancestry’s Community Groups is Real. This feature has the potential to enhance our research by providing a supportive community where we can share knowledge, seek assistance, and celebrate our genealogical achievements together. Stay tuned for further updates as Ancestry.com continues to develop and refine this exciting new feature. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just starting your journey, Community Groups could soon become an invaluable part of your research toolkit. More Ancestry and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Ancestry.com and the Genealogy Resources categories of my blog and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Ancestry's New Shared Matches DNA Pro Tool Enhances Genetic Genealogy Research Ancestry Updates June 2024: Introducing the New Shared Matches DNA Pro ToolAncestry has recently unveiled a highly anticipated addition to their Pro Tools suite: the Shared Matches DNA Pro Tool. This new feature enables users to explore the connections between their shared matches, offering a more detailed view of how individuals are interrelated within their genetic network. Designed to enhance genealogical research, Pro Tools is a premium set of tools available for an additional fee, as first introduced in Ancestry Updates December 2023: Ancestry's New Pro Tools. Getting Started with Ancestry’s New DNA Pro ToolTo access the Shared Matches Pro Tool, after the purchase of Pro Tools in addition to an already Ancestry membership, follow these simple steps:
 Getting to Ancestry's Shared Match DNA Pro Tool- Step 2  Getting to Ancestry's Shared Match DNA Pro Tool- Step 3  Getting to Ancestry's Shared Match DNA Pro Tool- Step 4 Current Limitations and Considerations While this new tool brings exciting possibilities, it is important to note that it is still in its early stages. As with any new technology, there are some limitations and areas for improvement. Here are some of the issues users may encounter:
Important Notes
Insights and Reflections The new Shared Matches DNA Pro Tool holds significant potential for genealogists, especially those new to DNA research. It simplifies the process of understanding how shared matches may be related, which is invaluable for the majority of Ancestry subscribers. However, for seasoned professionals, the tool might serve more as a supplementary aid rather than a primary resource. In my professional experience, while the tool did not help confirm the one case I specifically purchased it for—due to the complexities of endogamy and pedigree collapse—it did prove valuable in validating previous research. Within just a few hours, I was able to confirm findings from my own family tree and work done for clients, from the past decade. Although it offers a novel way to explore relationships, it may feel more like an experimental feature than a game-changing tool at this stage. Overall, the new Shared Matches DNA Pro Tool represents an exciting step forward for AncestryDNA and their Pro Tools, and with continued development, it has the potential to become an indispensable resource for genealogists of all levels. More Ancestry and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Ancestry.com and the Genealogy Resources categories of my blog and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Ancestry’s New AI Record Explore Feature Explore Ancestry's Records with AI!Ancestry has just come out with a new AI records feature, a few days ago, that allows you to further explore your ancestor’s records, using AI technology, that further enhances your family history experience! Records Available with This Feature (For Now)
How to Get to Ancestry's AI Record Explorer
Currently in BETA ModeThis feature is new and currently in BETA mode, and they have already changed the results that are churned out quite a few times already. The moment this feature popped up, while working on a client’s case, I quickly checked it out on a possible record I was already in the process of viewing, when it just all of the sudden appeared before my eyes. The first AI record exploration I tried had extremely flowery language and made me laugh. It also seemed to add a lot of context that was not based on facts. I quickly went to my own tree and tried it out on a few of my own ancestor’s records. Within minutes, the tone and mood of the results had changed, along with it sticking more to the facts, with context slightly truer to the facts. As of today, it has now changed to pretty much just straight facts, without much of a tone or mood of any kind. I prefer the second change, with a little context and slight tone and mood. Check out the examples below! Update: Within minutes after I gave the “as of today” above, it has changed again. So, I guess you’ll never know what you will get, until they work out all the kinks. 😉 Ancestry AI Record Explorer with WW II Draft Ancestry AI Record Explorer Example 1: WW II Draft Card Ancestry AI Record Explorer with Census Record Ancestry AI Record Explorer Example 2: Census Record  Ancestry AI Record Explorer Example 2-1: Census Record As you can see, from these 4 different versions generated, each at different times, since release, the output keeps changing, but I'm sure they'll find a perfect balance. This is a fantastic, fun addition, and I hope to eventually be able to explore more records with this AI feature! More Ancestry and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Ancestry Updates February 2024: AncestryDNA’s New, DNA Tools & Features, Paywall Ancestry has been slowly rolling over everyone, for quite a while now, who does not have a paid subscription to Ancestry or AncestryDNA to new, basic AncestryDNA features, now included with their DNA kits. Since it was little by little at the beginning, not all had noticed. They have now, officially, moved the majority of FREE DNA tools and features behind a paywall, making many quite unhappy. Just what can you get with the purchase of an AncestryDNA kit, now? What has moved over to their new, AncestryDNA Plus paywall, for those that had purchased their kits in the past? See the breakdown of just what’s behind this new paywall, below. Now ONLY Included with AncestryDNA Test Kit
Now Included ONLY with AncestryDNA Plus Membership
Now Included ONLY with Ancestry Family History Membership
And according to Ancestry, any that are associated with family trees or traits are subject to change and may require an Ancestry membership in the future. Food for thought (concerning both sides)
More Ancestry and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page
 Ancestry's New Pro Tools for Your Family Tree Ancestry has just come out with some new features to enhance your genealogy research and family history experience, Ancestry Pro Tools. These are an assortment of tools that are intended to work with your family tree that you have on Ancestry. Ancestry Pro Tools
Tree Checker Find duplicates or errors in your tree, such as dates, locations, and relationships. Charts and Reports Create, print, download, and share detailed family histories, where you can choose anywhere from 2 to 7 generations, a birch or pine layout, and your focus person. Advanced Filters Search, group, and sort people in your tree with advanced filters by family line (direct line, paternal line, maternal line, and end of line), events and places (birth, marriage, death, lived in, and any event you choose the time or place for), Possible Errors (possible duplicates, other possible issues), and Hints. Map Views See where everyone in your family tree lived in respect to one another. The Catch
How to Order Ancestry Pro Tools
Is It worth it?Is it worth it? Up to you. As of now, these features don’t seem very useful to me; although, if there were a way to include sources and citations, along with who created the report, I would consider this. Some have said they love it, and some have said it is definitely not worth it. It’s ultimately up to you to try it out for yourself. You do have the option to just purchase it 1 month at a time and cancel it whenever you’d like (at least 2 days before), so it may be worth it to try it out for at least a month. To be honest, I DO NOT AGREE WITH SOME OF THESE BEING behind a pay wall/EXTRA, like the Fact Checker or Advanced Filters. These are a necessity for any tree and should already be included in the already high price of Ancestry. Let me know what you think, in the comments below. More Ancestry and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Ancestry's New Explore Feature! Explore Your Ancestors through Media!As mentioned, a few weeks ago, in “New at Ancestry: The Explore Feature in Storymaker Studio!”, Ancestry had come out with a new BETA feature they were testing out, Explore, where you can explore the times your ancestor lived in, through media, giving you yet another way to enhance your family history and genealogy! Then, as quickly as it had appeared, it had disappeared, only a few days later. They had then revamped their whole Storymaker Studio and changed the name to Memories, which is the same name under FamilySearch, and the short lived Explore feature vanished. All of these changes, along with the new Memories page was mentioned in, “Ancestry’s New Dedicated Media Hub, Memories!”. Well, the Explore feature is back! This feature lets you explore images that other members have in their public trees, that may have to do with either a particular ancestor of yours or a certain place and time period that you may be researching. How to get to Ancestry's New Explore FeatureThere are 5 ways to get to Ancestry's new Explore feature , in which you will get slightly different results.
They seem to be making it super easy to get to, by giving you many ways to get to it. 😉  How to Get To Ancestry's Explore Feature from Pedigree View  How to Get To Ancestry's Explore Feature from an Ancestor Profile Ways to Explore from the Memories Tab or Gallery Icons
  Ways to Explore from an Ancestor Profile
 Explore Your Ancestor from Their Profile
 Explore Your Ancestor From Their Facts Timeline-Example 1 & 2  Explore Your Ancestor From Their Facts Timeline-Example 1-1  Explore Your Ancestor From Their Facts Timeline-Example 2-1  Explore Your Ancestor From Their Facts Timeline-Example 3  Explore Your Ancestor From Their Facts Timeline-Example 3-1 As mentioned in “New at Ancestry: The Explore Feature in Storymaker Studio!”, I find that “exploring” an ancestor is the same as the image hints you get for that ancestor, under the hints on an ancestor’s profile page, but you cannot currently search for places and times under the hints, so this adds to that capability. Keep in mind that exploring places and times does not necessarily mean it actually has to do with that place and time, it may just be more public ancestor Images of a person who also lived in that place. More Ancestry and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Ancestry's New Dedicated Media Hub, Memories! Out with the Old and in with the NewHelp future generations remember or discover people in your family tree through photos and stories with Ancestry’s new one-stop media hub to view all your media in your tree! As mentioned last week in New at Ancestry: The Explore Feature in Storymaker Studio!, Ancestry came out with a new BETA feature, Explore, in their Storymaker Studio. Well, it seems to have been short lived, as after only a few days, they revamped their whole Storymaker Studio and have now changed the name to Memories, along with adding some some new features. Memories Media Hub Categories
 Ancestry's Memories Media Hub Categories and How to Get To Memories Media Hub- Example 1 What Can You Do in Memories?
Create MediaCreate stories, create slideshows, upload audio recordings, create albums, make photoline collages, create tree collages, and enhance your photos by colorizing, sharpening, filtering, or adding stickers from photos in your family tree.  Ancestry's Memories Media Hub Category, Create Organize Your MediaArrange all your media into albums and add details to your media, such as tags, dates, locations, and descriptions.  Ancestry's Memories Media Hub Category, Albums As you can see, I haven't created any albums yet. Preserve Family MemoriesHelp future generations remember or discover people in your tree through photos and stories by preserving your family history. Scan or upload media, then edit your family photos by adjusting, colorizing, sharpening, cropping, rotating, or filtering them. From there, you add tags, dates, locations, and descriptions to your photos.  Ancestry's Memories Media Hub Category, Preserve Scan or Upload MemoriesScan or upload old photos and add details to them. SearchSearch for your photos, stories, audio, and videos quickly in your media Gallery by filtering what you are looking for.  ExploreExplore historical photos through the eyes of your ancestors. Many of these features go hand in hand; therefore, you can do some of the same tasks under each category. 😉 How to get to Memories
 How to Get To Ancestry's Memories Media Hub- Example 2 *Note: They don’t seem to have all the kinks worked out yet, but I’m sure it’s another work in progress. Currently there is no smooth way to get back to the main page from each feature or category. The feature that I mentioned in my last post, Explore, is advertised in the pop up for the new Memories media page, but I haven’t seen it yet. Some of these features/tools just take you to your ancestor’s profile page gallery allowing you to be able to do the same things you have already been able to do. Some of the go back button or arrows take you back to places that have nothing to do with what you were doing or where you were. 😉 More Ancestry and Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
 Ancestry's New Explore Feature in Storymaker Studio Ancestry's New Explore FeatureExplore the times your ancestor lived in, through media! Ancestry has a new Beta feature they’re testing out to help enhance your family history and genealogy, Explore, in the Storymaker Studio. This feature lets you explore images that other members have in their public trees, that may have to do with either a particular ancestor of yours or a certain place and time period that you may be researching. How to get to the Explore Feature
 How to Get to the Explore Feature in Ancestry Storymaker Studio- Step 1  How to Get to the Explore Feature in Ancestry Storymaker Studio- Step 2 Ways to Explore
 Way to Explore with the Explore Feature in Ancestry Storymaker Studio- Example 1  Way to Explore with the Explore Feature in Ancestry Storymaker Studio- Example 2 Exploring a Particular Ancestor in Ancestry Storymaker Studio Exploring a Particular Ancestor in Ancestry Storymaker Studio- Example 1  Exploring a Particular Ancestor in Ancestry Storymaker Studio- Example 1-2 Exploring a Particular Place and Time in Ancestry Storymaker Studio Exploring a Particular Place and Time in Ancestry Storymaker Studio- Example 1  Exploring a Particular Place and Time in Ancestry Storymaker Studio- Example 1-2 I find that “exploring” an ancestor is the same as the image hints you get for that ancestor, under the hints on an ancestor’s profile page, but you cannot currently search for places and times under the hints, so this adds to that capability. Keep in mind that exploring places and times does not necessarily mean it actually has to do with that place and time, it may just be more public ancestor Images of a person who also lived in that place. More Ancestry and Genealogy Resources: Learn about more Ancestry updates, tips, tools, and features and other family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
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