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 the same as Person 19. Person T is the same as Person 20. Person U is the same as Person 21. So, cells S19, T20, and & U21 are black.
BLUE CELLS
Blue cells indicate when two people are DNA matches (of more than 20 cM since this chart is from Ancestry). Cell T19 is blue because person T and person 19 are DNA matches. But, remember that person S and person 19 are the same person. Likewise, person T and person 20 are the same person. So the mirror reflection cell directly opposite T19, S20, is also blue. But these two cells are actually showing the SAME relationship.
WHITE CELLS
White cells show where there is NOT a match. So, person AJ is NOT a DNA match (of more than 20 cM) with person 20. (Can you name the “mirror” image of this cell? It’s T36.)
NOTE: Don’t worry if this part doesn’t make sense! You don’t have to understand this to be able to utilize the charts!
LABELS
In column AT, I have written labels for these matches. I am using the people’s names, which are hidden, for the rows… so for person on line 19 through 45.
Besides the alphanumeric labels (like C2) which I’ll explain later, I also use the following labels: * means “see note,” N means “no tree,” and L means “locked tree.”
Below is the “Leeds Cluster Labeling Chart” I use to identify common ancestors with “my” matches. A, B, C & D on the chart represent 4 grandparents of this individual (a family member who has pedigree collapse on his mom’s side, so C & D). The people are labeled with ahnentafel numbers.
I study the trees of the individuals while building them out if I can and need to. I’m looking for a common ancestral couple, couples, or single person. If they share a common coupled, I label according to the CHILD of that couple. This indicates to me that it is the “line” of that person’s ancestry.
C2 means the person shares the ancestry line of James B Dickson, so they share in common with “me” William K Dickson and Sarah McCaig.
C3 shares Elizabeth Boyers’s line, so they are a descendant of John Boyers and Matilda Dickson.
D3 shares Sallie Dickson’s line, so the are a descendant of Matthew J Dickson and Nora Mays.
If you look through all the “labels,” you’ll see that anyone who DOES have a label has C2 by itself or with C3 or D3. This is a good CLUE that everyone on this list is a descendant of William K Dickson and Sarah McCaig!
I plan on posting this chart and contacting each of these matches. I’ll tell them what number they are on the chart and explain how it works. And, I’m hoping to be able to label some more matches!
Lastly, a bit about the pedigree collapse on this family and why C2, C3, and D3 are showing up. You probably noticed they are all Dicksons. C4 (William K Dickson) and C7 (Matilda Dickson) are siblings. D6 (Matthew J Dickson) is their nephew. So, 2 are children and 1 is a grandchild of the same couple: James Dickson and Margaret Ann Wilson(?).
(Note: This family is from Perry County, Tennessee.)
My next step? Work with some of the clusters that overlap this cluster!
Any questions? I plan on writing more, so please let me know what questions you may have!
Any success stories?
Happy clustering!
3 Comments
Leave your reply.