1. What is the Ancestry Relationship Calculator?

The Ancestry Relationship Calculator estimates the degree of genetic relationship between two individuals based on shared centimorgans (cM) of DNA. It provides a quantitative measure of how closely related two people are.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the relationship formula:

Where:

• \( R \) — Relationship degree (dimensionless)
• \( CM \) — Shared centimorgans (dimensionless)
• 3480 — Average total shared cM between parent and child

Explanation: The equation calculates the relationship degree by comparing the shared DNA to the average amount shared between parent and child.

3. Importance of Relationship Calculation

Details: Accurate relationship estimation is crucial for genealogy research, understanding family connections, and genetic counseling.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the shared centimorgan value from your DNA test results. The value must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a centimorgan (cM)?
A: A centimorgan is a unit of genetic linkage that measures the distance between chromosome positions.

Q2: What are typical cM values for relationships?
A: Parent-child share ~3480 cM, full siblings ~2600 cM, first cousins ~850 cM, etc.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a general estimate but actual relationships can vary due to random DNA inheritance.

Q4: Can this determine exact relationships?
A: No, it estimates the degree of relationship but can't distinguish between relationship types with similar cM ranges.

Q5: What factors can affect cM values?
A: Recombination randomness, pedigree collapse, and endogamy can all affect shared cM amounts.