Given the large number of DNA companies that are available for families to use for sibling and birth parent matching, one might be forgiven to being confused as to where to test. This article is designed to guide an adoptee or their family to taking advantage of one of the most popular "consolidation" data bases, i.e., a data base that accepts DNA from nearly all processing labs such as 23andMe, FTDNA, MyHeritage, etc. There is no cost to upload a DNA sample from one of these companies once a sample has been processed. It is hoped that all China-based DNA will be submitted to this consolation data base, so that matches can be made no matter where the sample is originally processed.
After much research and consultation with geneticists and knowledgeable DNA professionals, DNAConnect.Org has selected GedMatch as the best option currently available for collecting and matching adoptee and birth parent DNA from China.
GedMatch.com is known to many in the adoption community. It is no-fee for basic use data base that accepts DNA from nearly every processing company. The first step to uploading your DNA to this data base is to set up an account. You will be asked some very basic information such as your name (they ask that you use your real name, not an alias, and this information will not be available to others), an alias if you wish to have a "handle," and an email for communication. Once you have registered, you are ready to upload your sample.
To do this, you will need to download your genome to your hard-drive (this must be done on a desktop computer, not your phone). In 23andMe, you do this by logging into your account, clicking the profile name in the right-hand corner, and selecting "Browse Raw Data" at the bottom of the drop-down (if this option is not available, go to the search feature at the top of the page and type in "Download". It will be the first option presented). Next select the "Download" tab. Accept the disclaimer and wait for a few minutes. Order the download, get a coffee, and come back and refresh the page and it will allow you to download your sample's entire genome to your hard-drive.
You will now return to GedMatch.com and log in. From the main page after log in, you will see this link on the right side of your screen:
On the right side you will see your registration information, and a list of all the samples you have uploaded. On the right are all your options. You will want to select "Generic Uploads" in the second grouping of links to upload your 23andMe, FTDNA, or other sample into the "GedMatch" data base.
You will be asked for a name, which will remain hidden if you also indicate an alias. We are using the real names of all our DNA donors, but each person can decide what they prefer. You will select the gender of the donor, the name of the originating processing company (23andMe, FTDNA, etc.), if it is you or someone else that the DNA belongs to, and answer "Yes" to the questions relating to authorities and permissions. You will then select the downloaded file (folder) containing your or your child's genome data. Select "upload" and you are done. Upon completion of the upload you will be given a kit code, which you will need to know if you ever have problems or questions about your sample. Write or otherwise record this number.
It takes about 24 hours for the DNA to be processed into GedMatch's data base. You will then be able to see if there are any close relatives. We have created this
article to help you determine if the top matches are significant. (
https://research-china.blogspot.com/2021/02/evaluating-your-gedmatch-results.html)
That's it!!! Well, almost. Now that you have successfully made your or your child's DNA matchable to all of DNAConnect's samples and those of all the other families, we ask that you promote GedMatch's data base to every adoptive family you know. Send them this article. The goal it to get everyone to upload their DNA to this data base.
We are excited about the use of this new "consolidation" data base in the "GedMatch" data base, because it allows families to test with the cheapest and most cost-effective processing company, and then upload the DNA to GedMatch for matching to siblings and birth parents. This is really a win-win for everybody, and eliminates the need to test in multiple processing data bases, at great expense and trouble.
Please feel free to help the community by posting your experiences and tips in the comments.
