23andMe Returns the "Relatives In Common" Feature for DNA Match Analysis

After a threat actor accessed thousands of 23andMe website accounts in Octobere 2023 and took some user data, 23andMe shut down several of their very useful DNA analysis features, including "Relatives in Common" and the "Chromosome Browser."

The "Relatives In Common" feature has been returned to action.  You can find it when you click on one of your DNA matches on 23andMe and then click on the "Find Relatives In Common" button just below the Neanderthal information and just above the Note for your DNA match.

Here is the screen for one of my high-ranking DNA matches (with the match names under the blue box):

My selected DNA match is James, and we share 1.40% (about 100 cM) in 5 segments.  From genealogical research, I know that we are 3rd cousins.

My selected DNA match share significant DNA segments with about 45 other 23andMe testers.  The chart above shows, in the left-hand column, the relation, and the percentage of DNA shared by me with those other testers.  In the right-hand column is the relation and the percentage of DNA shared by my DNA match (James in this case) and the other DNA testers on the list.  The relations are based on the amount of shared DNA - 1% is about 70 centiMorgans.  The relations are not absolutely correct, but can be useful.

James and I are third cousins.  You can see that the 4th match down the list above is his sister, sharing 0.72% with me, but 44.35% with James.  Sometimes the relationships are quite different - the first match is my 1st cousin 2x removed with 2.33%, but only 0.14% with James, but is listed as  James' 5th cousin because 0.14% (about 10 cM) is common for 5th cousin matches.  

These "Relatives In Common" are also very useful to separate my DNA matches into groups of relatives using a Leeds chart or a Genetic Affairs AutoCluster analysis.  

I am really happy to have this tool on 23andMe back in action.  From this list of DNA matches that I share with James, I have identified the most recent common ancestors, done more genealogy research, and added three known relationships to my RootsMagic family tree.  There are more to do.  

                           =============================================

Disclosure:  I paid for my 23andMe autosomal DNA test in about 2010.  

The URL for this post is:  

Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post.  Share it on Twitter, Facebook,  or Pinterest using the icons below.  Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com.