Many Family Tree Maker users have been exploring their genetic genealogy, linking their AncestryDNA® test results to their online trees and looking for ways to bring that information down into Family Tree Maker. We’ve prepared this guide to help you get started with the Family Tree Maker features that can be most useful to preserve and share this information.
Documenting AncestryDNA Test Results in FTM 2017
Step 1: Create a “DNA Markers” Fact
Within FTM 2017, there is a fact type named DNA Markers, which you can add to any person in your tree the same way you would add other facts such as Birth, Marriage and Death. This fact type is used to identify people in your tree for whom you have DNA test results. The default settings for this fact include Date, Place and Description for when DNA was tested for that individual.
Step 2: Link a “Genetic Testing” Source
To properly document the source information for DNA Markers facts, we recommend that you use the Genetic Testing source template. When creating a new source in FTM 2017, select the Business and Institutional Records source group, then the Professional Reports category and Genetic Testing template.
From there, a screen will open where you can enter in the applicable source information, with brief descriptions in each field to help you understand what you could include. Once you have created the source, you can then link it to a corresponding DNA Markers fact.
Step 3: Save AncestryDNA Results as PDFs
While working on the AncestryDNA web site, you can save the DNA Results or DNA Story from the Ethnicity Estimate section as a PDF. The resulting PDF can then be saved as a media item to the corresponding Genetic Testing source or DNA Markers facts in your FTM tree.
Documenting AncestryDNA Matches in FTM 2017
Step 1: Create Custom “DNA Match” Facts
While working with your AncestryDNA matches, you may find where an individual in your family tree matches up with someone else’s tree. You can go to that individual’s profile in your tree to add a fact, then select the Custom Event option to create DNA Match facts to document these connections. Fill in each field, starting with DNA Match for the Fact Label, then in the Description field for the fact copy in the web link to the corresponding DNA match’s web page from the list of matches in your AncestryDNA results. When you’re done, these facts will be copied down to FTM 2017 the next time you sync your tree, so you can easily reference your matches from within Family Tree Maker and click the links to go straight to the AncestryDNA web site to review more detail. And of course, as you add individuals and facts from the trees of confirmed DNA matches, you will be able to sync that information from your Ancestry tree to Family Tree Maker.
Step 2: Use Color Coding to Easily Identify DNA Matches
Within FTM 2017, you can filter the list of individuals in your tree by specific criteria. Create a filter that includes anyone who has a DNA Markers fact, save the result of the filter as a list, and then assign a color to it. As you’re working within your tree, all people with a DNA Markers fact will be identified by that color so you can easily spot them within the tree. Also, if you use the pre-made color schemes for marking ancestors and descendants in your tree, it can help you to see where relationships cross or match.
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