Uploading DNA Data to GEDmatch

These instructions are for Windows. If you are using an Apple computer, I believe they should look similar, but since I don't have an Apple computer I couldn't test to make sure. If anyone with an Apple tries this and runs into trouble, let me know and I'll see what I can find out to try and help you.

This is a two-step process. The first step is to download your data from your testing company, and the second step is uploading that data to GEDmatch.

Downloading from Ancestry

Your DNA home page should look something like this. Click on the "SETTINGS" button:

This should take you to a page that looks something like this. Click on the "GET STARTED" button:

A box should pop up that looks something like this. Enter your Ancestry password in the box and click the "CONFIRM" button:

Another box will pop up that looks like this. You don't have to do anyting -- just dismiss it by clicking on the "X" in the upper right corner.

You should get an e-mail that looks like this. Click on the "Confirm Data Download" button:

This should open a window that looks like this. Click on the "DOWNLOAD DNA RAW DATA" button:

This will download a file to the "Downloads" folder on your computer. You will probably see a little box at the bottom of your internet browser that looks something like this with the name of the file that is being downloaded.

Open up Windows Explorer and find the "Downloads" folder. The file should be in that folder. It is a "zipped" file; don't unzip it.

At this point you have your raw data from Ancestry; now you need to upload it to GEDmatch.

Uploading Your Data to GEDmatch

Go to www.gedmatch.com. The opening screen should look like this. Assuming you don't already have an account, click on the link for registration. Your user name will be your e-mail address, and you'll have to create a password:

Once you are registerd, you will see a screen that looks like this. Click on the link under "File Uploads" for Ancestry.Com:

You should see a new page that looks like this. Fill in all of the relevant information; make sure you click the "Yes" button where it says "Please acknowledge that you authorize this data to be made available for comparisons in our public database:":

Click on the "Choose File" button:

Navigate to the "Downloads" folder where you Ancestry data file was stored and select the file:

Once you have selected the file, the file name will show up next to the button:

Then click on the "Upload" button. I don't have any additional screen shots of the rest of the process because I didn't click on it because I didn't want to upload a file and mess up anything I already have uploaded. From this point I think everything is pretty straightforward. It will take a little while for the file to get uploaded. When it is done you will be assigned a kit number. There is some background processing that may take a day or so to complete; until that is finished you won't be able to do much with your file. If you have any questions let me know.