Identifying all matches

[Mr. Mcd]

I have been notified on more than one occasion of matches in the database that have not shown up in my FTDNA matches. On my inquiry I was told that the notification was accidental and the person had not signed a release so I did not have access to them. I recently joined the Munro DNA project and in doing so I received 9 new matches that I had not previously had access to, essentially doubling my total match's. . Up to this point I apparently had more then twice as many hidden matches then ones I was told about. I can’t help wondering how many more hidden matches I have.

I would like to see some way that we could learn of these matches without comprising the privacy of the individuals, yet having a means of requesting possible contact if any of them prove to be very close.

[Mudgeeclarke]

[QUOTE=Mr. Mcd;330532]I have been notified on more than one occasion of matches in the database that have not shown up in my FTDNA matches. On my inquiry I was told that the notification was accidental and the person had not signed a release so I did not have access to them. I recently joined the Munro DNA project and in doing so I received 9 new matches that I had not previously had access to, essentially doubling my total match's. . Up to this point I apparently had more then twice as many hidden matches then ones I was told about. I can

[Mr. Mcd]

I am thinking these matches could show up on our FTDNA page as anonymous. A contact request could be relayed by one of the group administrators or an FTDNA representative.

[Mudgeeclarke]

[QUOTE=Mudgeeclarke;330536]

I have been notified on more than one occasion of matches in the database that have not shown up in my FTDNA matches. On my inquiry I was told that the notification was accidental and the person had not signed a release so I did not have access to them. I recently joined the Munro DNA project and in doing so I received 9 new matches that I had not previously had access to, essentially doubling my total match's. . Up to this point I apparently had more then twice as many hidden matches then ones I was told about. I can

...another reply that somehow lost the reply section, I see ...

[Mudgeeclarke]

I am thinking these matches could show up on our FTDNA page as anonymous. A contact request could be relayed by one of the group administrators or an FTDNA representative.

I'm with you, McD. Just randomly joining projects to see if you can shake something loose is a very time consuming activity, and not so scientific.

Frankly, I think quite a few who are 'hidden' have done it unwittingly, and do not realize that it also impacts on their potential for being matched by 'discovery'.

[Mr. Mcd]

I sent this suggestion to FTDNA. I received the following response.


Thank you for your email. You are correct you may have matches to your DNA signature that are only comparing to their specific surname project. We are working on a new version of the website that will help assist people to find out about these matches. This update should be available over the next several weeks. I appreciate your feedback.

[Mudgeeclarke]

I sent this suggestion to FTDNA. I received the following response.


Thank you for your email. You are correct you may have matches to your DNA signature that are only comparing to their specific surname project. We are working on a new version of the website that will help assist people to find out about these matches. This update should be available over the next several weeks. I appreciate your feedback.

Fabulous news ! With an NPE, I was faced with joining every Group just to flush out the matches ....

[Colin]

from reading this thread I may have other closer matches than showed up in my YDNA, mtDNA and Family Finder matches?
Doesnt this defeat the whole purpose of why we pay good money to use this site?
Will the upcoming search feature that lets you search all 3 at once or individualy pick these hidden matches up?

[sspeters41]

Restricting matches to only your surname

Folks -- somewhere down the line everyone has an NPE, probably several NPE's. As a good friend told me years ago when I first started researching my family -- "You ain't who you think you are!!"