FTDNA X MATCH????
i checked my ftdna matches on familytree and some of them say "X-MATCH". I read different things online and checked the ftdna help section, and theres plenty of info available about the "x match" for folks who are educated in the subject or may already have a better understanding of DNA, but unfortunately, i cant seem to find any info that just clearly answers my question. im not currently interested in learning the science of DNA (at least not at the moment lol), or which chromosome came from who and when or whatever. I just want to know what does it mean if someone is an "x match"? Im assuming it must be something significant or important for ftdna to add it to the match info. Can someone please explain this to me in the simplest terms possible? thank you so much!
Answers
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There is no way to answer you without a little science. You have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Twenty-two are the DNA that gives your all your characteristics - hair, built, etc. - and develop the systems of your body - heart, lungs, etc. The 23rd chromosome determines your gender. The mother's egg gamete has only X chromosomes whereas the father has an equal number of X and Y gametes. In fertilization if the resulting fertilized egg has two X chromosomes you develop as a female. If there is an X and a Y in the fertilized egg it becomes a male.
So this is just another chromosome to use in DNA research to find matches to you. For a female it isn't very specific as you got an X from your father and your mother. For a male this X chromosome is more significant as the DNA in it can only come from the mother's side of the family. Hope this helps a little. It is essentially another chromosome for you to find matches to your DNA. It is not a commonly provided result but FamilyTree DNA does provide it. For me it is helpful as it is my mother's side I am most interested in so the X results are very helpful.
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Yes @Robert Givens thank you! That actually helped a lot (if I’m understanding it correctly lol). So you’re saying anyone who shows up as an “x match” had to come from the mothers side? And if so, will all mothers side show up as “x match” ? Cause if that’s the case then I can eliminate those folks for the purpose of my search and concentrate on the rest 😊
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@X24mom X24mom - If you look carefully at what I wrote above - as a female the X-Chromosome results can't be used to determine female relatives since you get an X-Chromosome from both parents at conception. A male like me, though, can use the X-chromosome results to determine maternal ancestry since the only X-chromosome I get is from my mother. If you have a brother you need him to take the test so you can use his X-Chromosome results to help you separate maternal and paternal matches to your DNA. The match between your brother and you won't be 100% exact but would be relatively close.
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@X24mom X24mom - Don't feel bad. There is a steep learning curve for most of us when it comes to DNA. Been there and done that myself. I am still learning and probably always will.
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If you do a search for 'x-match chart,' you'll get some results with pictures that can be very helpful.
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Good article with charts at the bottom: https://thegeneticgenealogist.com/2008/12/21/unlocking-the-genealogical-secrets-of-the-x-chromosome/
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When I check with the various DNA testing companies, I see that they don't even offer tests for the X chromosome. If I remember correctly, there was only one that offered an X test if you bought the entire genome testing they offered. To what purpose?
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@Cathy Pearce Anderegg - I suspect all DNA companies that offer an Autosomal Test actually gather the X-Chromosome data but, only FTDNA offers the results to a patron. To what purpose? As a man this can be very valuable information as people who match my X-DNA should be related to me through my mother. (Of course of my parents were closely related this wouldn't be true but in most cases his helps a man separate maternal and paternal matches to your DNA.) For a woman - the X-Chromosome results can't be used this way as she obtains an X-chromosome from both their mother and father.
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Bryan Sykes writes books about DNA that are about as reader friendly as I've found. Recommend DNA USA, for example. The Seven Daughters of Eve is about X chromosome DNA.
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Here is a good youtube video titled "Is X-DNA helpful for Genetic Genealogy, only 8 min. long.
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You can upload your DNA to GedMatch.com and then you can compare the X chromosome.
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If you download your data and upload it to gedmatch.com, you can use the X chromosome information.
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If you want to see the patterns for Male and Female Inheritance of the X Chromosome, check out the fan charts on this page: https://thegeneticgenealogist.com/2008/12/21/unlocking-the-genealogical-secrets-of-the-x-chromosome/
@X24mom X24mom these charts will help you see whether the x matches that you are finding are significant in your search for your unknown family line.
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But what is it going to show? The X Chromosome test?
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Yes, Check out this article about how to determine paternal and maternal matches. https://blog.kittycooper.com/2014/03/how-can-the-x-chromosome-help-with-maternal-versus-paternal/
Another useful article: https://leannecoopergenealogy.ca/2018/03/01/x-chromosome-recombination-an-example/
I am chuckling about you using DNA for dating! LOL
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It seems to me that a Y-DNA test to discover fathers, and a mt-DNA test to discover mothers would be much clearer than any X DNA test. And an at-DNA test easily shows ancestors for up to 7 generations. I just don't hear a clear explanation of why anyone needs to use X DNA. Is there a clear reason for X Tests?
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And, this may be one reason why most of the DNA testing companies do not offer X tests.
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@Cathy Pearce Anderegg I think you might be confusing Y-DNA and X DNA. Autosomal DNA tests will identify your DNA matches on both your maternal and paternal lines. Some companies show you your X chromosome. You can upload your raw Autosomal DNA to GedMatch and see your X chromosome and your matches, even though your Autosomal test results may not have shown you information about your X match.
If you are searching for unknown relatives (like birth parents for adoptees or individuals that do not know their biological father), you will get much more results by taking an Autosomal Test. Y-DNA tests can help you trace your paternal line and your haplogroup. That sounds great, but most likely you won't find your closest paternal relatives in the Y-DNA databases. This test is typically used to determine if all people in a particular area with the same surname come from the same family, or other similar studies. You can follow your paternal line back 25 generations or so, but this means that you might make connections with other males that share some of the same line.
mtDNA tests will help you determine if you have a common maternal ancestor, but typically you do not test and find your mother or grandmother in your results.
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@Carolyn Webber - Thank you for the links. @Cathy Pearce Anderegg - this can show you (for me) which lines to expect from the X Chromosome test results. Since my mother's side is my main concern this is helpful. I need help in the Beck portion of my mom's tree so if the right people test this may help.
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Wow! @Robert Givens I've been trying to figure out the meaning of X-Match and you're explanation was actually a break through for me! Thank you for your info!!!!
I am a maternal match for my male X-matches. However, until (or unless) I know which of my parents his mother is related to, I won't know if he (X-match) is my maternal or paternal match!
Once I know if maternal or paternal, I can start looking at ancestral names and for MRCAs. 😎
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