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I don't see where 23andMe classifies anyone as "close relative" or "distant relative". They give relationship predictions, like "3rd cousin" in my kits. Where do you find that language?
Good question. I must have stumbled upon it because it's not showing up when I pull up the opening page. However, under the Family and Friends tab, it states that I have "3 close relatives" among 1588 matches. On the same page, clicking on "See all relatives" my top 3 include the unknown "kid". I think I saw the term "distant relatives" but damned if I know where...
It's unlikely to be an error in your DNA results. It's more likely there are things you don't know about. There are no suggestions, just facts coming out of a scientific algorithm. As tech develops, your results will vary somewhat.
The error was not with the result but 23andMe's interpretation (or "prediction") of the result. Since your aunt, half sibling, and grandparent all share about 25% of your DNA, the algorithms can't always predict the correct relationship. It's up to the customer to figure it out.
Good question. I must have stumbled upon it because it's not showing up when I pull up the opening page. However, under the Family and Friends tab, it states that I have "3 close relatives" among 1588 matches. On the same page, clicking on "See all relatives" my top 3 include the unknown "kid". I think I saw the term "distant relatives" but damned if I know where...
That's weird. My "Overview" shows I have only one close relative, who is a known 1st cousin at 12%, and my next closest match is a known 2nd cousin at 3.5% so they don't consider that a close relative. I wonder how your "kid" gets counted as a "close relative"? When you go to his "Relatives in common," can you see if he's a close relative of someone else? You may have assigned the wrong relationship to one of his relatives in your list.
That's weird. My "Overview" shows I only one close relative, who is a known 1st cousin at 12%, and my next closest match is a known 2nd cousin at 3.5% so they don't consider that a close relative. I wonder how your "kid" gets counted as a "close relative"? When you go to his "Relatives in common," can you see if he's a close relative of someone else? You may have assigned the wrong relationship to one of his relatives in your list.
Nope, no assignments on my part. I compared my son's DNA to the "kid's" DNA, and they are identified as 3rd cousins. That's probably correct.
I think it is the sharing of a significant amount of DNA on Chromosome 9 that triggered the "close relative" tag. One segment takes up about 1/3 of my (maternal side) chromosome, and adding in another smaller but significant segment brings the total up to about 1/2 of the chromosome. (We also share several small segments on a few other chromosomes.) From what I read (somewhere on 23andMe) longer blocks of shared DNA suggests a closer relationship. I think the mystery has been solved. I'm going with the equivalent of a 2nd cousin.
That's still strange because Chromosome 9 has a large "pile-up" area across the centromere, which can mean a more distant relationship than expected. If you can find out the kid's grandparents' names you might see the connection.
This is clearly an error. I share over 5.84% with a 1/2 first cousin, and she's identified as a distant relative.
I did have a chuckle when I checked my daughter's account and saw that 23andme had suggested that MY sister was her half sister. This was a surprise, not only because I am my daughter's mother, but because my daughter did not sign up for matching. She only wanted her health data. lol
Well she obviously opted into matching whether she intended to or not. If she does not want matching, you should maybe let her know so she can opt out.
Half siblings are in the same "group" as aunt/niece - they share the same amount of DNA (or rather, they are both within about the same potential range of shared DNA) and no company has the ability to know which one it might be. I do take some issue with the fact that 23andMe estimate a specific relationship rather than a possible range that includes many potential options. But since that's what they do, it makes complete sense that they would estimate half siblings because an aunt/niece will share the right amount for that.
Btw, you can change the estimated relationship with your matches if you know what it is.
Well she obviously opted into matching whether she intended to or not. If she does not want matching, you should maybe let her know so she can opt out.
Half siblings are in the same "group" as aunt/niece - they share the same amount of DNA (or rather, they are both within about the same potential range of shared DNA) and no company has the ability to know which one it might be. I do take some issue with the fact that 23andMe estimate a specific relationship rather than a possible range that includes many potential options. But since that's what they do, it makes complete sense that they would estimate half siblings because an aunt/niece will share the right amount for that.
Btw, you can change the estimated relationship with your matches if you know what it is.
Nope. I administer her account. There were no other matches other than my sister. I'll go back and look to see if I missed anything.
That's still strange because Chromosome 9 has a large "pile-up" area across the centromere, which can mean a more distant relationship than expected. If you can find out the kid's grandparents' names you might see the connection.
I found the kid's parents, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, etc. (I also have his date of birth, College he attended, college major, degree earned, address, his occupation, his father's occupation, his father's employer, where his grandparents were married and buried, but I digress.) So far, nothing.
Nope. I administer her account. There were no other matches other than my sister. I'll go back and look to see if I missed anything.
Well, that's not how it works - you're either opted in and you can see all matches and they can see you, or you're opted out and you can't see any matches and none of them can see you. I just opted out to be sure and when I click on "DNA Relatives" it takes me to my profile settings to opt back in - I can't see any matches. You must be misunderstanding something, and again, if her account is opted into matching and that's not what she wants, you should make sure she's opted out.
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