Problems with Shared cMs: Multiple Relationships, Endogamy and Genetic Variation

Many of you already know what centimorgans are and how to use them to identify your possible genealogical relationships with your DNA matches. What about the cases when your shared cM count with someone isn’t straightforward? Your DNA Guide Diahan Southard talks about 3 scenarios that can skew your shared centimorgans: multiple relationships, endogamy and genetic variation.

Need more of a beginner introduction to shared centimorgans? Go to https://www.yourdnaguide.com/scp.

Learn more from Diahan Southard about how to use your DNA match list to identify unknown relatives and find missing ancestors:

Your DNA Guide—the Book by Diahan Southard: Get the do-it-yourself DNA manual for family history: https://www.yourdnaguide.com/your-dna...

DNA Skills Workshop: Go all-in with an intensive, hands-on, interactive, masterclass experience with Diahan Southard (which includes a mini-Mentoring session). Learn more at https://www.yourdnaguide.com/dna-work....

Your DNA Guide Mentoring Sessions: Go one-on-one with a DNA expert in a confidential setting to take a closer look at your DNA questions and clues. Learn more at https://www.yourdnaguide.com/thementor.

Learn more about DNA testing companies:

23andMe https://www.yourdnaguide.com/23andme

AncestryDNA https://www.yourdnaguide.com/ancestrydna

Family Tree DNA https://www.yourdnaguide.com/using-fa...

Living DNA https://www.yourdnaguide.com/living-dna

MyHeritage DNA https://www.yourdnaguide.com/myheritage