Unlike yDNA results, autosomal DNA results are displayed in the form of the names of other individuals in Family Tree DNA's database who share a significant amount of the same DNA as the person tested.  The match lists include details of the total amount of DNA shared, the largest segment shared, and a prediction as to the probable relationship between the tester and the matching individual.  

 

However, as the number of project members increases, the matrix I had developed at the start of the Family Finder part of the project became increasingly difficult to generate and view. And, in practice, any shared DNA which shows up on one-to-one comparisons is not relevant to the general public.

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I hope the pages in this section will be helpful to anyone considering taking a Family Finder test as well as those who have already received their results.

 

An important point to remember, is that we are using Family Finder tests in our Ravenstonedale DNA Project in an experimental capacity ... as previously stated, autosomal DNA tests are really only expected to provide confirmation of genetic relationships between people who are connected within up to six or seven generations - that is, 4th or 5th cousins (i.e. with people who share your 3x or 4x great grandparents).  The amount of DNA you inherit from each of your ancestors is roughly halved with every generation, but the actual segments inherited from each individual ancestor is completely random.