What do shared centimorgans actually tell me?

How much DNA two testers share, which maps to a range of possible relationships rather than one answer. Around 850 cM suggests a grandparent, aunt or half-sibling; around 200 cM covers first cousins once removed through half-first cousins. The paper trail chooses between the options.

Why does a known cousin share less DNA than expected?

Because inheritance is random beyond the parent-child level. Real second cousins can share noticeably less than the average, and one low-sharing match is normal — a pattern of low sharing across a whole branch is what deserves attention.

How do I turn a match list into tree progress?

Group matches by the branch they share with you, then look for the common ancestor inside each group instead of investigating matches one by one. Clusters point at a couple; individual matches rarely do.

What if DNA contradicts my documented tree?

DNA describes biological descent, documents describe recorded descent, and they diverge for real reasons: adoption, an unrecorded father, a child raised by relatives. Both can be accurate; note the discrepancy rather than deleting either.

Are ethnicity estimates reliable?

At continental level, broadly yes; at country or region level they are estimates against reference panels that get revised, which is why your percentages change over time. Matches are the durable value of a test, not the pie chart.

Should I test an older relative instead of myself?

If you can, test the oldest generation available, and test them first. A grandparent carries DNA that has not been diluted by two more rounds of inheritance, and that testing window closes permanently.

Can I use DNA results from another company?

Usually yes, by downloading your raw data from the original provider and uploading it where transfers are accepted. It is worth doing: match databases barely overlap, so the same kit finds different cousins in different pools.

What privacy questions should I ask before testing?

Who can see your matches, whether the company shares data with third parties or law enforcement, whether you can delete results and destroy the physical sample, and whether relatives are identifiable through your test. Ask before spitting in the tube, not after.

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