There are now three main methods or tools to create DNA Match Clustering charts: the Leeds Method, AutoClustering, and the Collins Leeds Method (CLM). The primary goal is to create clusters of DNA matches (or cousins) who all share a common ancestor or ancestral couple. But, do they work? Do these clusters actually point to common ancestors? Above is a DNA Match Cluster chart (this one is a CLM chart) for my dad. (I printed it out as I prefer to work with paper.) These clusters – each represented by a different color – are arranged in size from largest to smallest....

Below is one cluster from a CLM 3D (Collins’ Leeds Method) chart I created with the DNAGedcom Client at DNAGedcom. This chart is a matrix and the black diagonal is the “mirror” line so that the colors above and below the line are a mirror image. Along the top, the individuals are represented by the column letters, S to AS. Along the left side, the people are represented by the numbers 19 through 45. (The chart has the matches’ names, but I have removed the names for privacy.) BLACK CELLS Black cells indicate when a person “matches” themself. Person S is...

Have you tried DNAGedcom’s new Collins’ Leeds Method 3D? It’s one of several new tools that automatically creates clusters of your DNA matches. Here’s an example of an Excel version – the version I’ve been using: The chart shows colored clusters of people who are shared DNA matches from Ancestry.com. Although these are just clues, the people in each group likely share a common ancestor. The grey cells outside of the colored clusters show additional shared matches. These squares indicate people who match more than one cluster. You can determine which clusters by looking horizontally and vertically for the intersecting...

Rob Warthen of DNAGedcom announced the Collins’ Leeds Method 3D yesterday. Once you run a chart, what’s next? Above is a 3D chart I ran sorted by cM, not inclusions. Below is a chart I’m using to label the clusters. It starts with the 4 grandparents of the test taker: Stewart (A), Merrill (B), Peters (C), and Coppenbarger (D). These are in standard order from paternal grandfather on the top to maternal grandmother on the bottom. Next, I added ahnentafel numbers. The “home person” is 1, their father is 2, their mother is 3. As you continue, each person’s dad...