3 Improvements to the Leeds Method

I have made some improvements to the Leeds Method that make it faster and easier to use. If you are new to this method, you can read the original steps on my Color Clustering post. These steps are still correct, I have just added a few more!

Improvement #1: List all DNA matches through 3rd cousins.

Instead of just listing the 2nd and 3rd cousins (below 400 cM), we can list all of the DNA matches through 3rd cousins. In other words, list the immediate family, close family, 1st cousins, and higher 2nd cousins. This makes it easier to work with and get the most out of those higher matches. And, if you have closer cousins (i.e. 1st cousins), the chart will likely show you which color clusters or genetic networks are on one side of the family vs the other side of the family. (UPDATE: Do NOT use these 1st cousins and higher 2nd cousins to create your sorts! You are still CREATING the sorts based on the first person who shares less than 400 cM with you or the test taker.)

UPDATED NOTE: This step confuses some people. If you find it useful, please use it. If you do not find it useful, please start by listing only 2nd and 3rd (who share less than 400 cM) and THEN add in those closer matches later.

Improvement #2: List cM for each person.

We should have been listing the centimorgans (cM) for each person from the beginning, but I was trying to keep it as simple as possible. You can add the cM in a separate column, like in the examples, or add it in parentheses after the name.

Improvement #3: Add a column to indicate tree vs no tree.

This can be quickly down right after entering names and cM and it saves time later when you need to know who has a tree and who does not have a tree.

Example with these 3 improvements

Above is an example of a chart I made from a client’s actual data. For privacy, I have not shown the names (column A). For simplicity, I am only showing matches down to 133 cM, but the original chart goes down to 90 cM which is the last of the 3rd cousin group on Ancestry.

Using this chart, we can easily see the asterisks (column C) to identify which matches have trees in each color cluster or genetic network. Then we can work on identifying surnames that repeat in each color which you can read more about at “Identifying ‘In Common’ Surnames.”

How does each improvement help?

#1 – If you have higher, already known, matches, you can immediately see where these color clusters belong. In this case, you can immediately tell the maternal from paternal matches.

#2 – Listing the cM helps you see how close the relationship is you. And, if you have someone else look at the chart (like me!), it helps them interpret the chart.

#3 – As explained earlier, this saves time when you start trying to identify surnames that repeat within a specific color cluster group.