AutoTree
Identifies common ancestors (MRCAs) by analyzing family trees from DNA matches.It then reconstructs genealogical trees, helping users trace relationships and uncover potential family connections.
Explore common ancestors in motion
Follow the common-ancestor views and available Y-DNA and mtDNA context in the FamilyTreeDNA Combined Analysis example. Features and views depend on the analysis selected.
Read the AutoTree guide · Combined Analysis documentation
These examples use fake demonstration data and aliases.
Key Features
Identification of Common Ancestors
AutoTree identifies common ancestors from trees by comparing DNA matches trees on FTDNA. It is particularly helpful for individuals with unknown parentage, such as adoptees or donor-conceived persons.
Integration with AutoCluster
AutoTree works in conjunction with the AutoCluster tool, organizing DNA matches into shared match clusters. Each cluster typically represents an ancestral branch, and the tool analyzes the trees of members within these clusters to find shared ancestors.
Reconstruction of Genealogical Trees
Using the identified ancestors and their descendants, AutoTree reconstructs genealogical trees. These visualizations allow users to trace relationships between DNA matches and common ancestors across different clusters.
Visual Representation and Color Coding:
The reconstructed trees use a color gradient to represent linked DNA matches based on their shared cM values. Unlinked matches are represented with brown/yellow coloring. The tested person is highlighted in green, making it easy to follow the genealogical path.
Common Ancestor and Location Indicators in AutoCluster
AutoTree integrates directly into the AutoCluster interface by displaying icons (such as trees) within the clusters to indicate whether common ancestors have been found. It also provides detailed information through popups.
Detailed Overview in HTML Reports
AutoTree generates a table within the AutoCluster HTML report, summarizing the number of common ancestors, shared locations, and common surnames for each cluster. These fields are clickable, giving users more detailed insights.
How to get started*
Automated AutoTree through Genetic Affairs runs only for FamilyTreeDNA profiles. GEDmatch offers a similar analysis for Tier 1 kits.
The analysis wizard: enter your FamilyTreeDNA password when starting a run. Testing-company passwords are not stored in our database.
Availability across different companies
Compare the availability and features of the AutoTree tool across five major genetic testing companies.FTDNA
- Automated retrieval supported
- Alternatives: AutoLineage
23andMe
- not supported
- Alternatives: AutoLineage
Ancestry
- not supported
- Alternatives: AutoLineage
MyHeritage
- not supported
- Alternatives: AutoLineage
GEDmatch
- Automated retrieval not supported via Genetic Affairs
- Available via GEDmatch
- Alternatives: AutoLineage
Check out our AutoTree FAQ
Answers about access, pricing and report interpretation. For setup instructions, see the online documentation.
AutoTree FAQ
AutoTree is a tool that identifies common ancestors (MRCAs) by analyzing family trees from your DNA matches. It works alongside AutoCluster to organize matches into family-based clusters and reconstruct genealogical trees. AutoTree helps users discover shared ancestors and trace potential relationships, making it especially useful for those with unknown parentage or complex family histories.
If a tree is linked to the tested person, AutoTree will automatically use that tree together with the trees of the DNA matches to identify common ancestors and reconstruct the genealogical trees. A linked tree to the tested person helps you see how matches fit into your family tree. However, if there is no linked tree, AutoTree will only use the trees linked to the DNA matches.
From your FamilyTreeDNA profile, choose Start analysis and select AutoTree, or enable AutoTree with an AutoCluster run. Review total shared cM and the available match-selection options, then confirm the analysis.
Check out our prices page
Register the FamilyTreeDNA profile and choose AutoTree in the analysis wizard. You can also enable AutoTree with AutoCluster. The downloaded report includes the available match, shared-match and tree data for supported AutoLineage imports.
Automated AutoTree retrieval through Genetic Affairs is not available for 23andMe. AutoLineage can use supported previously saved CSV data and separately supplied family trees. Locally saved 23andMe HTML pages are not supported.
Automated AutoTree retrieval through Genetic Affairs is not available for AncestryDNA. Use AutoLineage with supported match/shared-match inputs and family-tree files for common-ancestor research.
Automated AutoTree retrieval through Genetic Affairs is not available for MyHeritage. Import supported match information and family-tree files into AutoLineage for common-ancestor research.
Automated AutoTree through Genetic Affairs runs only for FamilyTreeDNA profiles. A similar common-ancestor analysis is available directly at GEDmatch for kits in Tier 1. These are separate services and access requirements.
First, check the junk and or spam folder of your mail provider. If it is not in these folders, check for a notification (in the top right of the screen) on our members page. Click on the notifications icon to access the notifications. If there results associated with a notification, a download link should be present in the notification.
Analysis results are no longer sent as email attachments. We send an email with a download link instead. Follow the link to download your results; the link remains available for two weeks.
For analyses run through the Genetic Affairs members area, the free tier can analyze up to 50 matches, a customer outside the free tier without an active subscription up to 200 matches, and a member with an active subscription up to 400 matches.
These are match-count limits, separate from credit balances. Available data and selection settings can result in fewer matches. Combined Analysis is available to customers outside the free tier; its optional AI addition requires an active subscription. Tools hosted by other testing companies and AutoLineage imports follow their own workflows.
Total shared cM is the sum of the DNA you share with an individual match across all shared segments. Use the total-cM and match-selection controls shown in the current wizard. Total shared cM differs from the size of the largest individual segment or a segment overlap. Your account’s match-count limit is a separate setting.
