Understanding the Percentage of DNA match

[derek]

Hello,

I get notices about Geneanet finding DNA matches for me. But, when I look at the match, percentages of .19% seem to be insignificant.

Are these supposed to read 19 Percent of my DNA is the same as that person's DNA? Or, do I read that as their DNA is less than 1%? AKA, Point 19 of One Percent?

If it is the latter, why even report that?

I guess I don't understand the significance of the DNA match percentages. Is there a training module about how Geneanet comes up with these numbers?

Derek Hastings

[ericdubois]

.19% is approximately 14cM, which is pretty small. Your relationship with that match is around 6th cousin and chances of identifying common ancestors depend greatly on how complete both of your trees are.

19%, on the other hand, is very large, as close as a half sibling, grandparent or grandchild.

Use this table as a reference: https://dnapainter.com/tools/sharedcmv4

Eric

[derek]

Thanks, Eric,

That was very helpful. All of my DNA matches have been small like that, so I guess that only means that I don't have any close relatives on Geneanet.

And, thanks for the link to the DNA calculator. Very Cool!

Derek