mtDNA matches need explained

[NWHoosier]

On my mtDNA i have one match when selecting HVR1,HVR2 and coding regions.

The match has genetic distance of 3, match persons name, he did FMS, haplogroup K1a2a. So what does this mean? Also, why if I only select HVR1,HVR2 results does this match disappear, how can he match on all three, but when I deselect coding regions (just HVR1,HVR2) does this match disappear? That makes no sense to me. Is it saying this match only matches on the coding region but not HVR1,HVR2? Confused

I'm a newbie to DNA testing, I'm trying to find my grandmother's biological parents, she was adopted. What other research or groups/tests can I do to help in finding relatives? I do have a couple of matches on HVR1,HVR2 I may email to see if they can help. Thank you for your help

[prairielad]

HVR1 and HVR2 only show exact matches, since you are a difference of 3 in the coding region level, there must be a least 1 difference that is located in the HVR1 level.

https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/mtdna-testing/tell-closeness-relationship/

EDIT

https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/ftdna/our-three-basic-tests/

The Family Finder test is your best option.

Test as many of her children as possible as each received a different mixture of her DNA.

[NWHoosier]

Thank you, I think I understand that. I thought since the option was HVR1,HVR2, coding region he was a match on all 3. So he's really not a close match at all then correct? I should concentrate on my HVR1,HVR2 matches then?



Thanks
Lee

[GST]

Thank you, I think I understand that. I thought since the option was HVR1,HVR2, coding region he was a match on all 3. So he's really not a close match at all then correct? I should concentrate on my HVR1,HVR2 matches then?

Usually 3 steps in the FMS is not a close match but in some cases common mutations or heteroplasmies are counted as steps. I would contact the match to see exactly where your differ in the results. If you have a recent HVR1 mutation that is the cause the of the difference, then yes, an exact HVR1 match might be a closer match than your 3 step FMS match. Ideally, your HVR1 matches should also test the FMS to confirm how close of a match they are.

[jtdeible99]

ff

If you and your match both took a family finder test that would tell you quick if you are a matching in a genealogical time scale. I think its one of the best way to use mtdna in conjunction with the ff test.

[GST]

If you and your match both took a family finder test that would tell you quick if you are a matching in a genealogical time scale. I think its one of the best way to use mtdna in conjunction with the ff test.

The family finder test is reliable for identifying relationship only up to 3rd or 4th cousins. A genealogy time frame can be more distant than this for some people.

[elhjr32609]

mtDNA Genetic distance question

hi, I just got my youngest sister's mtDNA results back and she is showing up with a GD of 3 to our mom and myself. I show up as a 0 to my mom. I don't understand how my sister is not showing up as a 0 to both of us. Does this mean that her batch needs to be rerun?

[prairielad]

hi, I just got my youngest sister's mtDNA results back and she is showing up with a GD of 3 to our mom and myself. I show up as a 0 to my mom. I don't understand how my sister is not showing up as a 0 to both of us. Does this mean that her batch needs to be rerun?

I am not sure about how GD is calculated in regards to hetroplasmy between mother and child but this could be one of the possibilities.

https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/mtdna-testing/mitochondrial-dna-mtdna-heteroplasmy/

check each of your results and see if any of them have the following letters

https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/mtdna-testing/heteroplasmy-nomenclature/

https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/mtdna-testing/heteroplasmy-inheritance/

[GST]

hi, I just got my youngest sister's mtDNA results back and she is showing up with a GD of 3 to our mom and myself. I show up as a 0 to my mom. I don't understand how my sister is not showing up as a 0 to both of us. Does this mean that her batch needs to be rerun?

If you join your mtDNA haplogroup project and share the coding region results with the project administrators, they might be able to compare the results and determine why you are reported to be a 3 step match. Usually in the case of close family members this is because of a heteroplasmy or mutations at hot spots that really should be ignored.

[Robyn Robertson]

My mt DNA Match a person on HVR1, HVR2 and FMS but doesn't match on Family Finder! How can I possibly figure out who my great grandmother was without family finder.

[KATM]

Is your great-grandmother in your direct maternal line, meaning she was your mother's maternal grandmother? If not, mtDNA won't help, and you should rely more on Family Finder matches for her. If she is your mother's maternal grandmother:

• What is the Genetic Distance of this match?
• Have you contacted the person?
• Do they have a tree at FTDNA? If no tree, contact them and ask if they have a tree elsewhere.

Of course, if this person does not reply, or doesn't have a tree or information to share, you won't be able to figure out the connection. And it may be that the common ancestor would be too far back in time.

You may want to concentrate on your Family Finder matches for connections to your great-grandmother. Were her origins different from other lines in your ancestry (such as, she was Italian, and the other lines were British or German)? You can try the Leeds Method to sort your matches, and also check your Family Finder matches for those who have origins or surnames associated with your great-grandmother.

[keigh]

ff

If you and your match both took a family finder test that would tell you quick if you are a matching in a genealogical time scale. I think its one of the best way to use mtdna in conjunction with the ff test.

That I can agree with. At the 0 level I have 10 matches and 1 each at 1,2,and 3. Only one of my matches hasn't taken the FF test and I've been in contact with that match with no gain of information as the match only has a name and locale for most distant female ancestress, who was his birth mother.

The other matches don't match me on the FF test at all. And my attempts to contact them or gain any info from them is fairly disappointing. I'm looking for info on my great grandmother who I know very little about. Many of my matches seem to be in the same situation. My impression is that a mtDNA test is good for confirming a relationship between suspected relatives, but not finding a relationship between total strangers.