Irish DNA Registry

I can see how DNA testing and looking for matches can become addicting. For me the fourth try was a winner (first three samples were no good for testing) and I received my results yesterday. I have been on the computer ever since, contacting matches and being contacted by others.  

If you are having trouble finding your ancestors in Ireland, read on...


After only barely glancing at matches I uploaded my raw data to whoever would take me... GEDmatch, My Heritage (**you now have until Dec 15 to upload FREE), Living DNA, and Family Tree DNA (*updated)

I was waiting for results to specifically upload to GEDmatch so I could join the FaceBook group... Irish DNA Registry. It is a closed group and you can only join once you have your GEDmatch number. There are now over 7500 members, all with ancestral ties to Ireland. 

Once you join you are instructed how to upload your GEDmatch matches to their Matchbox program where your results are compared with others in the program and you will see all your matches with Irish Ancestors. Although... technically you could both be looking for Irish ancestors but match in Scotland or England. It happens. 

The program is in an excel spreadsheet and sounds a little more complicated then it actually is.  You do need a google account to use Matchbox, as the spreadsheet goes into your google drive. There you can upload again with new GEDmatches and see your new Irish matches.   

First day and I have 37 matches!

Best of all everyone there has tested because they are serious, not just curious. 

I am already connecting with people who are matches with my ancestors I had no way of finding in Ireland. Now there is hope!