What is the DNAmosaic Project?
A free, volunteer-led community project improving DNA relationship predictions for family historians. We combine proven matches from genealogists worldwide to create more accurate predictions for all.
Is my data safe and private?
Completely anonymous. We only collect first names, age ranges, and DNA statistics (cM, segments). No emails required, no surnames, no personal details. Your contributions are totally private.
What makes a relationship "proven"?
Personal knowledge of the match, confirmed family research, documented shared ancestors, or DNA triangulation with known relatives. NOT guesses or estimates from testing companies.
Why does ethnicity and community type matter?
Different populations share DNA differently. Close-knit communities (like Ashkenazi Jewish, Finnish, or French Canadian) often share more DNA with distant relatives than expected, affecting predictions.
How accurate are the predictions?
Accuracy improves with every submission. Currently strongest for close relationships (siblings, cousins). Rapidly improving for distant matches as the community grows. You'll see our confidence percentage with each prediction.
What's the confidence percentage mean?
Shows how certain we are based on your data completeness and our training. 85%+ is high confidence (green), 70-84% is medium (orange), 50-69% is our best guess (red).
What are "low cM matches"?
Distant genetic connections (under 100 cM) representing 3rd-6th cousins or further. These matches are especially valuable for building family trees and discovering unknown branches.
Can I submit matches for family members?
Yes, with their permission. Use the "Change Person" button on the submit page to enter their details, then add their proven matches. Each person's data helps improve predictions.
What should I NOT submit?
Don't submit estimated relationships given by your DNA testing company, guesses, unverified family stories, or assumptions. Only relationships you've proven with solid evidence. Quality over quantity—one proven match helps more than ten guesses.
How quickly does the system improve?
The system learns immediately from each proven match. Every submission updates our prediction patterns in real-time. More diverse matches mean better predictions for everyone.
Can I edit my submissions?
Yes! Click the edit button next to any match you've submitted to update details. If you made a mistake or learned new information, corrections help improve accuracy.
Why is knowing the match "side" helpful?
Knowing if a match is on your mother's or father's side eliminates half the relationship possibilities instantly. This dramatically improves prediction accuracy, especially for half-relationships.