Getting Started using Genome Mate with Ancestry Data

Genome Mate is a desktop tool used to organize in one place the data collected while researching DNA comparisons.  Besides data storage it has many features to aid in identifying common ancestors.  It can be downloaded at http://genomemate.org/

The following guide was originally put together by George Cunningham and published with his permission.  It has been edited to reflect changes in the application.

Ancestry Getting Started Guide

Using Jeff Snavely's Chrome Plugin, AncestryDNA Helper, is currently the only way to import Ancestry data into Genome Mate.  Using the Chrome browser is required.

Step 1:  Create a Profile

• First create a profile in Genome Mate for each kit that you manage
• Profiles > Add new profile

• Put in a name, any name will do, but
• You are a good choice for the profile person.  
• If your going to use data from 23andMe for the profile person, the profile name MUST match the 23andMe name.

• Load a gedcom file for each profile if you have one.  If not just continue.
• The gedcom file can be all of your relatives and more
• Genome Mate will ask you for the name to associate with the profile person, and will strip out all but the profile person's direct ancestors.
• The gedcom file format must be 5.5 in UTF8 format

Step 2:  Ancestry Data Collection

Using Jeff Snavely's Chrome Plugin, AncestryDNA Helper, is currently the only way to import Ancestry data.  Using the Chrome browser is required.

• Get Ancestry DNA Helper here
• Read about Ancestry DNA Helper here
• On Ancestry > DNA > Your DNA Home Page > Scan > Wait for completion

This is a long process and if it stops: 

• Open new tab in Chrome >  On Ancestry > DNA > Your DNA Home Page > Resume Details Scan and close stalled browser tab > Wait for completion

 Once the process is complete:

• On Ancestry > DNA > Your DNA Home Page > Download Matches
• On Ancestry > DNA > Your DNA Home Page > Download Ancestors of Matches

Step 3:  Load Ancestry Relative Profiles

Import Data page

This step creates a Relative record in Genome Mate for each Ancestry relative storing their "administered by" name and profile link.

• In Genome Mate > Import Data > Select Match Source Ancestry > Load Ancestry Relative Records > Import Data from CSV File > Select file named Matches for {name}.csv

If you get rejected records, look for notes that have an enter or return character in their value as Genome Mate assumes that is the end of the record. Those have to be cleared before import. 

Step 4:  Load Ancestry Relative Surnames

This step loads the Surnames for existing Relative records into Genome Mate.

• In Genome Mate > Import Data > Select Match Source Ancestry> Load Ancestry Relative Surnames > Import Data from CSV File > Select file named Ancestors for Matches of {name}.csv

Step 5:  Maintaining Relatives in Genome Mate

Since Ancestry does not provide DNA segment data, there will not be segment data displayed on Genome Mate's main page for Ancestry.  To view the Ancestry Relatives:

• In Genome Mate > Relatives > Check Ancestry > Click on Relative name or use the Search Box to find the administered by name> Add your notes and Save

Step 6:  Obtaining Ancestry DNA Segment Data

To see the actual DNA segments for Ancestry data, it is necessary to download the raw DNA data from Ancestry and import it into GedMatch.com.

• Click here for instructions on how to import Ancestry raw DNA data to GedMatch.  1-to-1 comparisons will be immediately available but it may be a few weeks before other GedMatch functions can be used. 

• Click here for instructions on how to use GedMatch data in Genome Mate.

Hints and Tips

• There are two small arrows going in a circle to the left of your profile name. 

• Left click to show overlapping segments.  Escape to return to the original screen.
• Right click to bring up an overlapping segment dialog

• Choose a Relative Name in the list of matches. 

1. Choose a relative who matches you on more than one chromosome.
2. Right click on it to show all matches
3. Escape to return to the original screen.

• Some Relatives will have a small symbol (Mark ICW segments) to the left of their name.   Hover (do not click) your mouse over the symbol. 

• A series of colored bars will show you the relatives who are in common with the one you are hovering over. 

• These people are related but not necessarily on the currently selected segment. 

• Some ICW group symbols are in orange. 

• The orange color means that the segment crosses a centromere, so the meaningful length is much shorter than the displayed length.   

• If you hover over the symbol, it will show the length of the centromere. 

Backups & Restores 

The words of wisdom on creating backup files cannot be overemphasized.   Experimentation is encouraged, but make sure you have a safe harbor.

Donations

Genome Mate's continued development, support and enhancements on the internet are funded by your donations.  If you use the application, please consider making a donation through Paypal.

Copyright © Beckins LLC 2013-2014