Our Cook(e) YDNA Path : Comparing Y700 results with FTDNA's Estimate from an Uploaded Autosomal of the Y Tester's Brother

Below is the path of my youngest brother's results. He tested as a direct male descendant of Wm Clifford Cook(1811-1882) our 2nd Great Grandfather -- a brick wall of our Cook research.

YDNA Haplogroup Path: Descendant of Wm C Cook(1811-1882) Bedford Co., TN, USA

R-M269    --Descendants of Wm Tryon Patterson, Wm Cook(e), and Shem Cooke(1722-1796 Granville NC)

R-L23 
R-L51
R-P310
R-L151 --Wm Cooke b 1740 Surry Co Descendant
R-P312
R-Z46516
R-ZZ11
R-U152
R-L2
R-Z258
R-Z367   --(Carroll Co TN Roland Cooke Descend(Thru Shem's son James)
R-Z34  --Hunt Surname NPE;  My brother, David's estimated Haplogroup
R-Z33
R-BY164497
R-BY3604
R-Z256
R-Z275 -- (Shem Cooke--Carroll Co GA Descend thru Roland B Cooke;  Cook with unk path
R-CTS7352 My Brother at the Y500 Level
R-BY72556 --My Brother Y700 (Wm Clifford Cook descendant thru Wm Green Cook; Patterson who descends from Wm Tryon Patterson w/ Carroll Co GA connected Y Line.

We started out with the R-M269 and it stayed there with upgrades until I could purchase a BigY test.  I have placed several others I have identified in his match list to visualize where they are within the path.  I also included my other brother's estimated Haplogroup which FamilyTreeDNA notified me about this past week.  It is one of the haplogroups that FTDNA has estimated from an uploaded autosomal DNA test. I had expected that he estimated Haplogroup would be R-M269 but it was more precise.  I'm not complaining.

If you have a connection to Cook(e)s from  Granville, Wake or Warren Co NC or the Carroll Co GA or Carroll Co TN Cook(e) please consider testing now or when they have their next YDNA sale at FamilyTreeDNA  If you have tested or have a family member who has tested you both should consider joining the Cook(e)-Koch DNA Project. 

Y-DNA Badge for Haplogroup Estimate from
uploaded autosomal DNA

MyHeritage offers Free Access to DNA tools with DNA Upload Feb 21-28

I received this message from Daniel Horowitz of MyHeritage yesterday and wanted to pass it on to anyone who has taken an autosomal DNA test at AncestryDNA, 23&me or FTDNA.

His message reads....

"For a limited time only, between February 21–28, 2021, we are waiving the unlock fee.You can now upload your DNA data to MyHeritage and get access to your Ethnicity Estimate, Genetic Groups, and other advanced DNA tools such as the Chromosome Browser, AutoClusters, and Theory of Family Relativity™ — absolutely free! These features will remain free forever for the DNA kits you upload to MyHeritage during this week."

Check out MyHeritage's Blog for more info on this.

Uploading your 23andMe results to GEDmatch Genesis

Those that have tested at 23andMe on the new chip(starting Aug of 2017)  cannot upload to the main GEDmatch database but can upload to the GEDmatch Genesis section(currently in beta).  I had updated the "Download from Test Site & Upload to GEDmatch" post to show changes but I think the information on the GENESIS upload may be buried in that post.  That said,  I thought I'd post this specifically for those who tested at 23andMe and received their results after July 2017.

Downloading your file from 23andMe
To download your Raw Data from 23andMe log on to your account if you have multiple kits associated with your acct make sure you have selected the proper test.  Select the Tool option and then click on Download.  You should see a page similar to the one below.

This page contains information about the raw data file.  Scroll down and select the "Submit Request" button.  Follow directions on that page for obtaining the file.

Uploading the file to the GENESIS section of GEDmatch
You will need to register if you don't already have a GEDmatch account.

Register for GEDmatch

Once registered return to Genesis page
Log on and select Generic Uploads as shown below in the highlighted section of the screen capture.

Follow the directions on that page and make sure you wait for the file to upload.  Once it uploads you should see a notice and the kit number.   These upload instructions will also work for any of your other DNA results from AncestryDNA, FTDNA, earlier 23andMe, or MyHeritage files that you have downloaded and wish to upload to Genesis.

Shared Ancestor Hints are just that--Hints

I was extremely happy to get 14 new 4th cousins or closer matches on my AncestryDNA results overnight.  I wish people understood the importance of uploading to GEDmatch. Too many treat the circles or the DNA Hints as facts.  To them it is unnecessary to upload their raw data atDNA results to GEDmatch because Ancestry has told them the connection. Sure,  if you don't want to prove your research, go ahead and believe that!  Ancestry gives you hints and clues,  It is on you to investigate and research those.

I have the perfect example among my matches.  This match is kin to me on my Mom's side thru the Luna line at my 4th Great Grandparents.  She is not DNA kin to me or my Mother but she shows as DNA kin to my daughter and the Shared Ancestor Hint is my 4th Great Grandparents(my daughter's 5th Great Grandparents)  Clicking on the "i" shows that my daughter and this match have a shared estimated atDNA of 6.6 centiMorgans(cMs) shared across 1 DNA segment.

Ancestry has done a better job on their wording on the Shared Ancestor Hints than they did when they first appeared.  [If you want to learn more about hints & shared records watch Ancestry's Crista Cowan and her presentation, "Don't be a Searcher, be a Researcher" from RootsTech 2017.


What we should hear  "You have a 6th cousin through the Luna line of your maternal Grandmother with whom you share a 6.6 cM  portion of DNA across 1 segment.  It is possible that it may be through that Luna line. You need to investigate further"

Instead many people feel that they don't need to investigate further and take that info at face value whether it is through lack of understanding, laziness or just not really carrying to know the truth. I'm not talking about those that just tested to learn ethnicity and don't care to do more. I am fine with that.

Thankfully this match agreed to upload to GEDmatch.  Since both of my daughter's Paternal Grandparents have tested I was able to tell that the connection was through my daughter's Paternal Grandmother's lines.  I was also able to take it back a step further in finding where to look as my daughter's PGM's Mother(my daughter's Great Grandmother) had also tested.

The match amount at GEDmatch to:
Daughter:  11.3 cMs on 1 segment
Her  PGM:  12.4 cMs on 1 segment
Her PGM's Mom 12.6 cMs on 1 segment

I should also mention that while my Daughter tested at AncestryDNA, her PGM tested at 23&me and her Great Grandmother tested at FTDNA.  We can compare all of these test at GEDmatch.

I did run the One to One for this match against my results and my Moms and she didn't have any measurable DNA match with us.

Dear Cousins: If you have taken an atDNA test, please consider uploading to GEDmatch

Downloading Your Raw DNA Data

AncestryDNA ---- FTDNA ---- MyHeritage ---- 23andMe

If you have taken an Autosomal DNA test PLEASE consider uploading to GEDmatch. Even if your only reason for taking the test was to find out your ethnicity.  When you test, your matches are restricted to those who have also tested at that same site.  By uploading to GEDmatch you are able to compare with others who have taken an autosomal DNA test at any of the other companies and uploaded to GEDmatch.  Below are instructions for downloading from AncestryDNA, FTDNA, MyHeritage and 23&me. Follow the instructions for the download and then scroll further down the page where you will find the instructions for uploading to GEDmatch.

If you tested at AncestryDNA
From your DNA Insights page click on Settings in the upper right just below your DNA Page header.

On the settings page you will see the option to Download Raw Data.  Click on that and follow the instructions.  Also while you are at the page consider linking your DNA to  your Tree.





After you have downloaded your file from AncestryDNA you will want to upload to GEDmatch.  Use the file you downloaded and follow the instructions under the Uploading to GEDmatch.com section.

If you tested at FTDNA
From your myFTDNA Dashboard:

Or from the myFTDNA Menu on the Left

After clicking the Download Raw Data link you should see a screen like this.  You can download Builf 36 if you are uploading to regular GEDmatch and build 37 if you are uploading to GEDmatch Genesis.
;Save the file somewhere you can  Browse to and DO NOT open the file.  You will upload the zipped file to GEDmatch.

After you have downloaded your file from FTDNA you will want to upload to GEDmatch.  Use the file you downloaded and follow the instructions under the Uploading to GEDmatch.com section


If you tested at 23&me

The transfer of the raw data from 23&me to GEDmatch is easier than ever. You can now transfer straight from 23&me to GEDmatch see image below.  No need to deal with the upload section of this page if you are able to transfer a copy straight to GEDmatch.

****Please note if you received your results after Aug 9th you may not be able to upload to GEDmatch but should be able to upload under the GEDmatch Genesis section located at the bottom of the column on the right. ****

I've retained the old instructions for anyone who would rather download their data and then upload the file to GEDmatch.
From your 23&me page. Log in.  It should give you a warning that DNA can contain sensitive info.

Select the Tools Tab from your top and then you should see the Browse or Download tabs. Choose Download and scroll down the page. Click on the button to submit your request. You will be prompted to select what DNA you want to download.choose the autosomal test1-22 and X and follow their instructions.

If you tested at MyHeritage

Uploading to GEDmatch.com

Once you have downloaded your Raw Data.....it's time to upload to GEDmatch.  If you have not registered you will need to do so in order that you may access the site.

After registration, you should be able to log in with your email and password which you chose.

Upload your Raw Data and fill out the info for your kit.  Your kit is usually ready shortly after uploading for One To One comparison but it will normally take at least 24 hours for the batch it is in is completely processed so that you can run the  One To Many for your kit and begin trying to figure out how you match to all those folks.

A listing of the DNA kits you have uploaded will show in the "Your DNA Resources" section located in the left panel of your GEDmatch dashboard page.  You may have to scroll to see it.  See the example below.

While you are waiting for the batch process...you might consider uploading a GEDCOM and linking it to your test results.

Hope you have found this helpful.