I have been keeping a log in a notebook but it is no longer working for me now that I am managing more kits than I was a year ago. I am trying to keep up with the results and to find a way that is easy for me but also productive at the same time. I want to be able to see "the results" all in one place without having to pull out multiple notebooks.
DNA Locator Log
As more companies allow for us to upload our DNA results to their website I have found that the easiest way for me to keep track is with a DNA Locator Log. It is simple and uncomplicated and gives me a brief overview of the DNA results. Here is a shareable link.
Here is a screen capture of my DNA Locator Log. I have columns for the following information:
- Name of Test Take
- Name of Testing Company
- Type of DNA Test (at, mt, y)
- Year Test Was Take n
- Ethnicity Results
- Ethnicity Breakdown
- Gedmatch Upload/Kit Number
- FTDNA Upload/Kit Number
- My Heritage Upload/Kit Number
- Comments
Again, using Google Sheets I have come up with a spreadsheet for my DNA matches and the results generated from all of the sites. I have designed some spreadsheets based on the information that is generated by the different testing companies and at Gedmatch. I feel like I am really overthinking this but the key is in the details! Not all columns are applicable and can be removed if desired. Here is the sharable link.
This capture does not include all of the columns but I have made columns for the following information:
- Testing Company/Website
- Kit Number (Gedmatch/FTDNA)
- Test Taker Name or Alias
- Managed By
- User Name (Ancestry)
- Contact Information, (if known)
- Date of Match, if applicable
- Shared cM's
- Gedmatch Autosomal DNA (Total cM's/Largest cM's)
- Gedmatch X-DNA o r FTDNA X-Match (Total cM 's/Longest Block)
- Predicated or Estimated Relationship
- Shared DNA Percentage (23 & Me)
- # of Segments Shared (23 & Me)
- mt-DNA haplogroup, (if known)
- y-DNA haplogroup, (if known)
- MCRA, (if known)
- Shared Surnames
- Shared Ancestral Places
- Other Relatives with that Surname & Relationship to User/Testee
- Shared Ethnicity
- Correspondence Method (Direct email or via the testing company)
- Date of First Correspondence
- Was A Response Received
- # of Attempts Tried
- Is the Testee an Adoptee
- Paternal or Maternal Match, (if known)
- Notes About Test Results
- Questions
- Comments
- Ancestry Tree (Public, Private or No Tree)
- Gedcom Available (Gedmatch, FTDNA, 23 & Me)
I know that many of you are much more experienced with DNA and I would greatly appreciate your feedback on whether you find these spreadsheets helpful, too detailed or heaven help me not detailed enough. Thank you in advance!
