Ancestry Academy  > Education  >  You Won't Match Everyone You Are Related To

 

In this information packed virtual event, Ancestry’s Corporate Genealogist Crista Cowan addresses a frequent source of confusion for researchers: why hundreds or even thousands of actual relatives do not appear on their DNA match list. Crista uses a clear, names and letters, analogy to explain the concept of random genetic inheritance, demonstrating that while we inherit 50% of our DNA from each parent, it is a random selection, meaning siblings inherit different combinations and certain genetic markers are inevitably lost over generations. The key objective of the session is to help users manage their expectations regarding distant matches—specifically explaining why third and fourth cousins often do not share enough DNA to be detected—while offering strategies to capture more of a family's genetic history.

 

The webinar follows a structured approach, moving from the science of inheritance to practical application using a ladder analogy to calculate cousin relationships and DNA percentages. Crista shares her personal match list to illustrate how shared DNA ranges can vary significantly among first cousins and reveals how she utilized these tools to identify a DNA surprise—her half-aunt, Carol. The presentation concludes with a critical troubleshooting guide for missing close matches, advising viewers to verify that relatives have tested at the same company and opted into matching, while also gently introducing the possibility of misattributed parentage events (NPEs) when biological connections do not align with family trees.

 

Chapters:

- The Science of Random Inheritance

- Strategic Testing

- The Ladder Analogy

- Interpreting Your Match List

- Troubleshooting Missing Matches

 

Review your DNA match list today to genetically confirm your ancestors and consider testing older relatives to capture family history before it is lost.