DNA TOOLS IN ACTION

Karen Evans talks to Jonny Perl, founder of DNA Painter, about some of the things that make DNA such a fantastic research tool in our family history journey

I founded my website DNA Painter back in 2017. I was excited about the possibilities but had a lot to learn about DNA. Nearly four years on, the site now hosts a range of different tools that help researchers around the world interpret DNA matches.

One of the most fascinating aspects of shared DNA is how variable it is. For example, you might share 200 or more centimorgans (cm) of DNA with a third cousin, or you might share none at all.

The site’s most popular feature is the Shared cm tool, which can suggest the most likely relationships based on an amount of shared DNA that you enter. What are the Odds? (WATO) takes this further by using probabilities and DNA matches to help you see how someone is most likely to fit into a known family tree.

Chromosome mapping will always be my personal favourite. I’m still astounded that it’s possible to visualize the process of genetic recombination, producing a colourful tapestry that illustrates the pieces of DNA we received from different ancestors. Making this connection feels like a natural additional step after many long nights researching these ancestors!

Find out more at https://dnapainter.com/

What do you find helpful on your DNA journey? I would love you to share any tips or tricks that other readers could find of use. Email Karen at dnahelp@family-tree.co.uk