For the past couple of months, ftDNA has been in the
middle of upgrading from build 36 to build 37 in reporting their Family Finder
autosomal DNA results. This means they are refining their matching algorithms,
specifically based on how the centimorgans values, or the length of DNA shared,
are determined and reported. This refinement will reduce the amount of false
positives between you and your matches and hopefully result in more accurately
predicting relationships between you and your matches.
We are just starting to see the results of these changes
come through. But unfortunately, as of ftDNA's announcement on February 24th,
2013, there were some problems with the new build and some kits are having to
be re-run.
What does this
mean?
If you log in to your account and see a significant
decrease in the number of matches it could be for one of two reasons:
1) Their tests are being re-run and when they pass QC
will be uploaded back into the database. If they are a true match they will show
back up again
2) These matches were refined, identified as false
positives, and removed from your results
There is hope!
You may not know this, but at the same time ftDNA is
trying to convert to this new build, they are also allowing for test results
from other companies such as 23AndMe to be uploaded to their system. This is
beneficial because now testers from 23AndMe will be matched up with matches in
ftDNA's database and ftDNA testers will receive additional matches from people
who took the 23AndMe test. It is a win-win situation for all parties.
In case you are wondering, people who took the 23AndMe
test are able to transfer their test results to the ftDNA database for
$89.00!!!
Here is a snapshot of my match results for the various
tests I manage. I currently manage 6 tests on ftDNA:
Name
|
#Matches
on 2/16
|
#
Matches on 2/25
|
Change
|
Me
|
341
|
298
|
- 43
|
My Mom
|
376
|
345
|
- 31
|
Grandmother
|
467
|
396
|
- 71
|
Friend
|
299
|
247
|
- 52
|
Cousin
|
292
|
205
|
- 87
|
Cousin’s Half-Sister
|
351
|
276
|
- 75
|
I’m very excited that our results will be better refined
and false positives will be reduced by this new build. I’m equally excited about
our match database being opened up to 23AndMe uploads. I’m sure the 23AndMe
testers are the most excited as they will now have the advantage of being
matched from two databases, not just one. Likewise, integration with the ftDNA
database will ensure a much higher success at match interaction and building
genealogical connections as these testers did not join for health reasons, like
many at 23AndMe did.
What can you do?
I would refrain from spending a lot of time analyzing
your chromosome data or looking at your list of In Common Withs until the build
has been completed and the 23AndMe data has been uploaded. Continue working with
the folks you have been in contact with. Re-run your data after the new build
to ensure they are still a match to you, especially if you have not yet found a
connection.
Let me know in the comments below how your numbers are
progressing. You can look up the number of matches you have by clicking on the
chromosome browser. In the list of names, it shows 1 of 10 of ____ total
matches.
To Cite This Post:
Ginger R. Smith, "Changes Coming to Your Family Finder Test Results" Genealogy By Ginger, 25 February 2013, (http://www.genealogybyginger.blogspot.com : accessed [date])
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