New Genealogy Findings Using DNA Triangulation

DNA is fascinating, especially when used in conjunction with traditional genealogy techniques. When you look at all your matches, no matter which testing site you used, it can be a little intimidating. I have over 1,000 4th cousins. In some cases, it is pretty evident how we are related. Most of them have French Canadian names in their list of ancestors. 

But if they don't have names that you recognize but they are still a match, maybe even a pretty close one, what then?  If you had your DNA tested by Ancestry, you will need to move it over to another site and hopefully, the person you match will already be there or is willing to move theirs as well. Be prepared for the worst but hope for the best. 

Once you are on another site like My Heritage or Gedmatch, or Family Tree (there is a $19 charge to get the reports you will want) you can then isolate the chromosome that you match on. While knowing the chromosome in and of itself is not the answer, it can lead to an answer. 

It may take a few matches with the same Chromosome to identify which line you all have in common. This is triangulating. Of course, you will be counting on someone perhaps knowing more about the family than you do but it is very exciting when you realize that yes, that common match you have on your #4 or 12 or whatever chromosome belongs to the ........ family. 

I have identified a couple of families through this method and it is very exciting. Let me know if you have any luck with this method.