* How to document DNA connections with FHv7

[jimlad68]

I am looking at documenting my DNA connections with FHv7. I would like to use a method as near standard as practicable.

I have looked through the FHv7 help where there are some topics and the FHUG https://fhug.org.uk/kb/kb-article/recor ... a-matches/ (but this only shows for FH V5 and V6). There is also "Jane's" method, which I think was pre FHv7.

I am scratching my head as to how to enter the DNA/connection details that would be different in FHv7.
I have found the extended set Fact DNA Markers but apart from note: text input I can only find the attribute DNA Markers. When I did the Genographic DNA test many years ago I think there were only about 12 markers, but I think Ancestry has over 700,000 markers, somewhat too many to input to FH.

I have looked at these and other topics (mostly pre FHv7) which are basically individuals' ideas:
Recording DNA matches in Family Historian (16659)
How do you include DNA results (17209)
and Jane's https://www.taubman.org.uk/family/wp/20 ... historian/

but does FHv7 offer any new input methods:

Perhaps I have got the wrong end of the stick.

[ColeValleyGirl]

For clarity, are you looking to record which individuals in a project have taken DNA tests that show them to be related to the root? Or which historic individuals are expected to share DNA with the root? Or something else such as mrca information in some way?

[jimlad68]

The former "...which individuals in a project have taken DNA tests that show them to be related to the root" and to record any "data" that might be helpful, could be shared % or cM, segments.

I think "...historic individuals are expected to share DNA with the root" is shown in the DNA diagrams, and queries which just seem to be "relatedness" with some extra maths.

The more I think about it, I think my main questions is, does FHv7 offer a new way to record the info, or is it just the above new display of diagrams and queries. Otherwise it's back to the previous topics I mentioned.

P.S. I am still unsure what one is supposed to enter in the attributes in the DNA Marker fact, or is it whatever is of concern to oneself.

[ColeValleyGirl]

I'm not aware that fh7 introduces anything new for recording matches. To be honest I don't use it for that; I use more specialised tools for my DNA work.

[jimlad68]

Thanks Helen, I was beginning to think that was the case. I can see more specialised tools might be needed for research, but I like to keep as much data as possible (even if it links elsewhere), in a simple and as structured a form as possible in one "master" place.

I'll have another look at Jane's "off the shelf" method, but originally, being source obsessed, I thought of creating a source for the detail and adding to a custom fact for the root(me or spouse etc), the new DNA contact and the joint ancestor, but I would have to see if queries, how related would work with that.

[Vyger]

Thanks Helen, I was beginning to think that was the case. I can see more specialised tools might be needed for research, but I like to keep as much data as possible (even if it links elsewhere), in a simple and as structured a form as possible in one "master" place.

Hi Jim, I read your post with interest as this another research goal which began to task me back in Rootsmagic 7 and should be tasking a lot of serious researchers.

Tracking DNA matches is not the preserve of any Genealogy program so we all must find a solution which works best within our chosen package. I created two Custom Facts back in Rootsmagic days and they came in to FH without problem, I create the match person noted on Ancestry / My Heritage etc. and then build what I can from their publicly shared tree. The business then is to continue to build out their tree until a link is found to my main tree, I liken this to building out a detailed part of a jig-saw puzzle like the grill of a tractor knowing one will eventually discover the link to the main puzzle.

I add the Custom Fact to the match person shown on Ancestry / My Heritage and paste the match data into the Description field, add them to a Named List, one for my line and one for my wife, and use another custom fact to copy & paste chats with the individual so obscure Place or Surname mentions will become the scope of Find Everywhere in the future, hopefully my image posts.

I usually find it obvious which line the DNA has come down from by geography otherwise I need to follow both lines. From there I periodically click on an individual in the Named List, then All Relatives and continue to build out their tree until I find a match with mine, remember that Tractor analogy.

I hope this helps broaden your thinking, at present it is working for me but these things always keep evolving.

Jackson

[jimlad68]

Thanks for those observations. At present there seems to be variations on a theme, mostly using a custom fact.

I am "live testing" now, but I can give what I have so far.

- It is very much based on Jane's method (link above) using her query as a starting point (changed for my custom facts), but having 3 custom facts for each "DNA person in my database for who I am tracking" (Mainly me + wife). In theory I liked the idea of using a Source, but that did not seem to add much benefit and could have made the query even more difficult!

==== Custom Facts
- The 1st custom fact (JGO are my initials) _DNA_Link_JGO_Match is for the DNA linked person and does a similar job to Jane's fact using formatted "Labelled Text" for the query.
- The 2nd custom fact _DNA_Link_JG0_Via_Ancestor is for the joint apex ancestor (I choose the female as better surety!). There could be many DNA links detailed here.
- The 3rd custom fact _DNA_Link_JGO_Via_Multi_Ancestor is where there are 2 or more routes via the Ancestor, so Surety is less likely for all routes. With more data and surety this could be converted to the 2nd custom fact.

See attached facts DNAMatchJGO.fhf, see the Auto Created Note for "Labelled Text" structure.

==== Diagrams
- for the first 2 I have a diagram box expression
=IsTrue(Exists(%INDI.EVEN-DNALINKJGOMATCH[1+]%) or Exists(%INDI.EVEN-DNALINKJGOVIAANCESTOR[1+]%))
(see also for alternatives, as in "3rd" below - Diagram Box Expression, FACT ContainsText (20405))
- for the 3rd
%INDI.EVEN-DNALINKJGOVIAMULTIANCESTOR[1+]%
With a box line etc, so it is obvious what is known, for the 3rd I have a dotted box to show unsure surety.

- Alternatively or as well you can add lines to a diagram text scheme e.g.
Desired font
Then these with Start new line:
=ExistsText(%INDI.EVEN-DNALINKJGOVIAANCESTOR[1+]%,"DNA ANCESTOR JGO")
=ExistsText(%INDI.EVEN-DNALINKJGOMATCH[1+]%,"DNA MATCH JGO")
=ExistsText(%INDI.EVEN-DNALINKJGOVIAMULTIANCESTOR[1+]%,"DNA MATCH MULTI ROUTE-JGO")

==== Query
See 4;FACT;DNA links from Fact DNA_Link_xxx.fhq attached. Some of the seemingly unnecessary columns are to make clicking to the property box simpler and some of the columns are designed for copy/paste.

Any suggestions/ improvements/ corrections/ queries gratefully received.

[Vyger]

Jim, I am on vacation at present but will check out your methods with interest and comment when I return home.