Four ways to find your African matches on 23andme!

In my previous blogseries I featured the latest update on 23andme intended to zoom into ethno-linguistic African lineage. Although these new ethnic group matches are very promising at this point they still very much remain a work in progress. And therefore follow-up research is still needed if you want to uncover your entire African lineage! This follow-up research can consist of several aspects. However in this blogpost I will focus on African DNA matches listed among your DNA Relatives on 23andme. 

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Figure 1 (click to enlarge)

This overview is obtained from the “Nigerian” admixture report for an African American. You can find this among your other ancestry reports on 23andme. Featuring a confirmed Igbo DNA match for him on the left. Even when he did not yet receive any ethnic group match after the latest update on 23andme.

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Figure 2 (click to enlarge)

This screenshot shows a Senegalese match reported by 23andme for a Cape Verdean person (on the left). This person did not yet receive any ethnic group match after the latest update on 23andme. However this Senegalese match serves as an alternative way to corroborate and specify African regional admixture. In this case: “Senegambian & Guinean”.

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Currently the odds of getting assigned to an African ethnic group on 23andme are still rather low. Around 20% for African Americans, according to my survey (n=100, see this overview) and about 50% for Cape Verdeans (n=50, see this overview). And even if you do get lucky than usually you will only get matched to one single ethnic group or at most 2 or 3. While realistically speaking most Atlantic Afro-descendants will have many more ethnic connections from various parts of Africa. Receiving one single African ethnic group match can of course be very valuable but it will still represent only one isolated connection with Africa out of potentially dozens or even hundreds of others.¹

In order not to get side-tracked you should therefore explore alternative ways of finding your African DNA matches yourself! And afterwards you should also conduct further follow-up research. First of all to assess if the matches you found are indeed providing a valid genealogical (IBD) connection to a plausible African lineage. And if so then you can really achieve a massive breakthrough by attempting to assign this African match to a particular familyline by triangulation and/or chromosome mapping.

In the remaining part of this blog post I will discuss the following:

1. Four ways to find your African matches on 23andme
   • Search your DNA relatives by African country of birth
   • Look for African DNA relatives listed in your regional admixture reports
   • Perform advanced filtering of your “100%” African DNA relatives (only on 23+)
   • Do a manual browse through of all your DNA relatives
2. Look for shared DNA matches
3. Considerations when dealing with DNA matches
4. Poll: how many African DNA matches have you found sofar on 23andme?

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Source: 23andme. Several initatives have been started by 23andme to help bolster 23andme’s database of African reference samples. However any African 23andme tester is a potential DNA match for Afro-descendants. And in this way tremendously helpful as well! In case you are seeking to actively support 23andme in their ongoing efforts to diversify their reference database check this link: 23andme’s Global Genetics Project. If you’re eligible you might obtain a DNA testing kit for free!

 

1) Four ways to find your African matches on 23andme

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” African DNA matches (autosomal) provide one of the most reliable avenues to Trace African Roots. Even more so when combined with well-interpreted admixture analysis. Fortunately an ever increasing number of Africans, or better yet African migrants and their children, are taking DNA tests. All of them potential DNA cousins for Afro-descendants to get in touch with and establish meaningful contact.

Representing unique opportunities to learn more about your specific African lineage! Still many people are having trouble to find their African DNA matches while others remain stuck by only focusing on a few ones. Missing out on a great occasion to utilize their complete overview of highly informative African DNA matches!” (Fonte Felipe, 2017)

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Just to repeat myself quickly I am greatly impressed by 23andme’s latest update. Which is based on matching strength. However from my previous discussion (part 1 and part 2) it should be clear that inevitably there are still some shortcomings. Which is why I will keep stressing that follow-up research is still needed if you want to uncover your entire African lineage! Especially given the rather low odds right now of getting matched to any of of the 25 ethno-linguistic groups made available by 23andme.

This follow-up research is of course dependent on your own preferences and background. However in my opinion this should atleast consist of actively searching for your African DNA matches! Aside from also becoming more knowledgeable about the historical context of your African origins, learning about ethnic diversity within Africa, getting acquainted with the basics of genetic genealogy, building your family tree etc. etc..

In 2017 I already provided a tutorial for finding African DNA matches on Ancestry. From my experience the odds of finding African DNA matches are probably still best on Ancestry actually. Due to a greater customer database (incl. an increasing number of African migrants and their children). But also due to a lower matching threshold (8 cM, since their deletion of smaller matches in 2020). While 23andme restricts the maximum number of your DNA relatives to 1500. Which automatically raises the bar to your DNA relative with the lowest amount of shared DNA. See also:

• How to find those elusive African DNA matches on Ancestry (2017)
• Why even small African matches matter! (2020)
• While You Were Sleeping: 23andMe Disrupts DNA Relatives (Through The Trees, 2020)

However it is certainly worthwhile to also look for African DNA matches on 23andme! Although to be sure it is best to keep your expectations low. Because you will probably only find a few of them, when lucky. Still any one of them should make a valuable discovery in itself. And especially when combined with your ethnic group matches these additional African DNA matches can really enhance your ongoing research to Trace African Roots!

Compared with the new ethnic group matches provided by 23andme there are in fact also additional benefits to be gained. Because these individual African DNA matches can actually be contacted for meaningful correspondence. And even if they don’t reply to your messages you might already obtain very useful information from their profile details.

Potentially even more impactful for your research will be that with individual African DNA matches on 23andme you are also being enabled to zoom into the shared DNA segments with your matches. Something which is not possible on Ancestry and also not with 23andme’s ethnic group matches. More details in section 2. But first without further ado let’s explore the four ways of finding African DNA matches on 23andme: 

 

1.1 Search your DNA relatives on African country of birth

Figure 1.1 (click to enlarge)

Searching by country of origin can be a useful way to research your family roots. Click a country to filter your DNA Relatives list to people with at least one grandparent from that country. In order to rule out any alternative ancestral scenario filter on DNA relatives with 4 grandparents from the same country. Although even then you should check out the profile page of the match for further details to prevent any misunderstanding (incl. plausible surnames, regional admixture scores etc.).

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Many people might actually already be familiar with this way of filtering your DNA relatives. Which is also great of course for singling out DNA matches associated with any other type of lineage you might be interested in. Basically you will need to do the following:

• From 23andme’s homepage first go to tab Ancestry (& Traits) in the top menu
• Select DNA Relatives for your complete overview of DNA matches
• Filter on Ancestor birthplaces
• Scroll all the way down to see if any African country is being listed
• Usually the country list is not complete so you might also want to type in any African country in the searchbar
• See this link for more instructions:
  • Sorting And Filtering DNA Matches In 23andMe DNA Relatives (23andme)

If you have any matches with African birthplaces then start by focusing on the DNA relatives with 4 grandparents from the same country. This is to rule out any alternative ancestral scenario because of mixed heritage. Which will tend to complicate things. Because for example a person with 4 self-reported grandparents from Angola might in fact also be partially Portuguese or Cape Verdean! Or a person from the Ivory Coast could have recent familyties with neighbouring countries due to migration.

To be sure “mixed” matches might still also be useful if you resist jumping to conclusions and make a proper assessment. Let’s say a person who is half Ghanaian and half Japanese could very well also provide you with a valid link to your African ancestry. Provided you do not have any Japanese DNA. Hence my advice to always check out the profile page of the match for further details (incl. plausible surnames, regional admixture scores etc.). And preferably also ask the matches to inform you about their background.

Screenshot above is actually showing the DNA relatives for a Fula friend of mine who has recent family ties with both Guinea Conakry and Senegal. This is also clearly showing up in his results. Interestingly DNA relatives from other African countries are shown as well. Which makes sense given the widespread Fula migrations across West Africa en even beyond. Unfortunately for most Afro-descendants you will be lucky when you see even only one African country being listed. Also the shared amounts of DNA will tend to be much smaller. Because the ancestral ties to Africa will be much more distant in time. However this overview should be illustrative for the potential of searching for your African DNA Relatives by self-reported birthplaces of their grandparents.

One essential thing to do whenever you find a valid match is to make sure to preserve your African DNA matches in your overview of DNA relatives!  From what I know sending an invite to your African DNA matches and then having them also accept it is the only way to make sure you do not get to loose them from your overview. As eventually might happen due to the restrictions 23andme imposes on the maximum number of DNA relatives (usually 1500). Writing down the location of the shared DNA segment for future reference is also well advised! Added into the text thanks to a thoughtful commenter! Check out her great blog on Caribbean genealogy.

 

1.2 Look for African DNA relatives listed in your African admixture reports

Figure 1.2 (click to enlarge)

By clicking on your “Nigerian” score you will get a so-called population report by 23andme which mostly contains infotainment. However scroll all the way down and you might encounter a genuine Nigerian match! As is the case for this African American 23andme tester who has not been assigned to any of the new 25 new ethno-linguistic groups on 23andme. Of course you will need to validate this finding by further research.

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This second method might be less commonly known but can actually also directly connect you with some of your African DNA relatives! Two ways of getting this overview:

• From 23andme’s homepage first go to tab Ancestry (& Traits) in the top menu
• Then select either All Ancestry Reports or Ancestry Composition 
• Obtain a report for each separate African regional admixture category 
• You can get a direct link from the All Ancestry Reports page. Just click on your African %’s
• On the Ancestry Composition page you also need to click on the % for any given African category but then continue by also clicking on “learn more”
• From the population report scroll all the way down till you see a few (usually no more than 5) DNA relatives listed who also share this type of African regional admixture with you. And more importantly these DNA relatives at times will also have recent self-reported ancestry from that area!

 As always you do need to do your own follow-research (incl. plausible surnames, regional admixture scores etc.). in order to firmly establish that such matches are indeed fully African. Because from what I have seen it will often actually be Afro-Diasporan relatives being listed. For lack of any self-reported African DNA relatives. Also the matches might be only partially African. Still this is again a very easy method of zooming into some of your African DNA relatives. Keep in mind though that this is preselected by 23andme and it will not per se be a complete overview.

 

1.3 Perform advanced filtering of your DNA relatives on African admixture

Figure 1.3 (click to enlarge)

This tool is only available when you have the 23andme+subscription! These advanced filters will then be featured on your DNA Relatives page. And they will allow you to perform all sorts of powerful filtering! Including singling out DNA relatives with at least 99% African DNA. Because actual Africans when tested on 23andme do not always receive 100% results it would be my advice to set the level somewhat lower. But you can experiment with it in any way you please as these advanced filters are very userfriendly. In this case 2 African matches were found among a total of 5001 DNA relatives.

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This method is actually closest to my scanning & filtering method for Ancestry. Because it is based on the automated filtering of your DNA matches on African admixture. In principle it should show you all “100%” African” DNA matches (if you have them). Including those profiles without African names or without any self-reported grandparents from African countries.  

This method is in fact even more powerful because not only does this tool on 23+ allow you to filter on continental admixture but also on regional admixture. And also for any given level of admixture, which is something you can adjust for yourself in the controls. For example if you like to single out your DNA relatives with a “Senegambian & Guinean” score of atleast 25% then this tool can do this in a flash!

The only catch is that this tool is only available after paying for the 23+ subscription. Something which I personally have not done sofar. But I suppose you might want to try it out for only a limited period of time. Aside from the advanced filtering tool you will actually also be given more DNA relatives (“up to three times more“). Hence increasing the odds of finding an African DNA match! For more details:

• What’s included in 23andMe+? (23andme)

1.4 Do a manual browse through of all your DNA relatives

Figure 1.4 

African DNA matches can be seen as diamonds in the rough which need to be sifted from seas of sand & rocks with great scrutiny. And afterwards also to be polished by rigorous follow-up research. However all the effort is definitely worthwhile when you finally find one!

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This last method is probably not for all people 😉 Because it will require you to go through the profile pages of each and every single one of your DNA Relatives. Paying attention to any clues given which might indicate you are dealing with an African match. In particular their regional admixture scores and also surnames and ancestral locations. Obviously this will be time consuming, tedious and you will need to remain sharp even after going through literally hundreds of pages… Still from my own experience this is definitely worthwhile! And given that 23andme has restricted the number of DNA Relatives to a maximum of 1500, it is not like it’s Mission Impossible either.

Again the benefit will be that this should show you all African DNA matches you have. So it goes beyond the results from method 1 & 2. As you will also see the profiles of African DNA matches who have not filled in any details in their profile such as birthplaces of grandparents. Only DNA relatives who do not feature their admixture scores (due to privacy settings) will be left out from your browse through. But in addition you will often also encounter many other interesting and useful DNA matches which can help boost your research also for any other type of lineage you are interested in.

Although strictly speaking this will not concern your DNA relatives on 23andme there is one more final method you might want try out. Which is to upload your 23andme raw data on other DNA testing platforms (such as GEDmatch and MyHeritage). Because this will allow you to fish in a bigger pond so to speak. Again the odds of finding actual African DNA matches will not be that great from my experience but it is still worth the shot! For more info:

• GEDmatch Education
• Upload DNA data on MyHeritage

 

2) Look for shared DNA matches

Figure 2.1 

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You can find this option if you go to the profile page of your African DNA match and scroll all the way down.

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Figure 2.2 (click to enlarge)

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Matches with DNA overlap (shared DNA segments) could be the most promising ones for follow-up research!

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Figure 2.3 (click to enlarge)

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Triangulation occurs when you share the exact same DNA segment with two or more people. Because in this case your African DNA match is included it will most likely be pinpointing a shared African ancestor. If you happen to know already how you are related to the other match then this might help you assign this type of African lineage to a specific family line!

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What I really appreciate about 23andme is that they give you more detailed information about the shared DNA segments you have in common with your matches, incl. also location and a chromosome browser. You can find this information by simply scrolling down the profile page of your DNA match and then clicking on “Find Relatives in Common”. Proceeding with any listed match by clicking on either Yes or No. But especially the ones showing DNA overlap of shared DNA segments might be promising! This can really boost your research for shared ancestors or placing an African DNA match on a certain family branch. In particular by way of triangulation!

But also so-called chromosome mapping by DNA painting your regional admixture of shared DNA segments holds great potential in my opinion. As again this might enable you to identify an earliest family line associated with such regional admixture! Especially when this regional admixture is distinctive such an approach can be very fruitful. For example when dealing with possible Malagasy lineage the presence of any “Southern East African” and/or Southeast Asian admixture should be very useful. Naturally all of this is to be combined with any other clues you might have. Also it goes without saying that extra scrutiny is always required in order to avoid jumping to conclusions!

For some very useful blog posts with detailed instructions read:

• Using DNA Painter to Verify Igbo Origins (Roots Revealed)
• Chromosome 7 – An African American Connection (Boricua Genes)
• Confirming African Matches: Abuelo’s Peul(Fula) Relatives (Dominican Roots)

3) Considerations

Eventhough DNA matches are often said to be the most accurate part of your DNA test results there are plenty pittfals if you do not assess your DNA matches carefully! Just a quick summary below. For more detailed discussion follow these links:

• Notes of caution
• Considerations when dealing with DNA matches (section 1)
• Countries of Ancestry Tool (2010-2015)

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• “Identical by Descent (IBD) refers to a segment that you share with someone from a common ancestor within the genealogical timeline.

• Identical by State (IBS) is used to describe a variety of scenarios where the segment cannot be tracked to a common ancestor, including IBC and IBP.

• Identical by Chance (IBC) describes a segment where an accident of recombination means that a segment matches, but this is not a genuine match.

• Identical by Population (IBP) refers to segments that are widely shared among populations, to the extent that they are not genealogically useful – e.g. in endogamous populations. ” (source: DNA Painter Glossary)

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1) Not all your African matches will be “identical by descent” (IBD). Especially the smaller-sized matches might often be false positives or “identical by state” (IBS) (see this useful chart).

2) 23andme’s customer database is not perfectly representative of all your possible African lineage. Certain African nationalities will be over-represented or rather under-represented due to their relative migration presence in the US, Canada, Europe or other places where the 23andme test was purchased. Basically this means you will have greater odds of getting matched with your Nigerian or Ghanaian ancestry. Or from any other Anglophone African countries. But DNA matches from French- or Portuguese speaking African countries will be relatively rare. Simply because there are not that many DNA testers with such backgrounds (see this graph for biggest groups in USA in 2015).

3) Each individual African DNA match will usually only be informative of one single family line out of potentially hundreds others! Such a finding might be very valuable in itself but can never give you a total overview of your complete ancestry as given in proxy by 23andme’s estimate of your regional admixture. (see this article for more discussion)

4) There might be a higher likelihood of your African DNA matches reflecting mutual ancestors from the early 1800’s and late 1700’s. While there might be a built-in bias (due to the matching threshold) against African ancestry which is to be traced back to the early 1700’s, 1600’s or even 1500’s.

5) Your mutual ancestor may not per se have been of the same ethnic background as your match. The occurrence of inter-ethnic mixing within African societies and also among your own African ancestors is often underestimated.

6) Look at the bigger picture! Any over-reliance on DNA matches might lead to a disproportional outlook on your complete ancestry. Some ancestral lines being more “matchy” than others as a result of an ethnically skewed database (either customers or reference samples). And this may then be corrected by your admixture results. Which may be imprecise but still should enable you to (roughly) distinguish between major and minor sources of ancestral origins (both continental and subcontinental!).²

7) Use scrutiny and discretion in stead of jumping to conclusions or putting all your eggs in just one basket!

 

4) Poll: how many African DNA matches have you found sofar on 23andme?

Please feel free to leave a comment! Just meant to get a general idea  Make sure to only count certified (mainland) African DNA matches found on 23andme. For me personally it is only one match from Algeria (4 grandparents). A very small match with a minimal amount of shared DNA (6 cM). It has been preserved in my list because I am still sharing profiles with that match. As I actually first found this DNA match when 23andme’s Country of Ancestry tool was still around (2010-2015). But actually this match now also pops up in my report for my 2.4% “North African” admixture. Which is pretty cool!

However I am leaving aside literally hundreds of Cape Verdean DNA cousins of mine. In fact I do also have a few DNA matches with birthplaces in Senegal and Angola. But all of these are again related to me because of recent shared Cape Verdean ancestry. On the other hand from what I have seen among my Cape Verdean DNA cousins who tested with 23andme the odds of finding mainland African DNA matches might be small, but they can be found! I have seen matches being reported from Senegal, Gambia, Guiné Bissau and also Guinea Conakry. All of them 4GP (all 4 grandparents born in that country) and without any apparent recent connection with Cape Verde. Hence providing a very valuable clue to the mainland Upper Guinean roots of Cape Verdeans!

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Notes

1) Individual African DNA matches – no matter how insightful – will not be able to fill in all the missing pieces of your entire ancestry. It is often not fully realized that going by historical plausibility and applying a genealogical timeframe many Afro-descendants in the Americas could have potentially hundreds of separate ancestral lines to be traced back to Africa. 

It is practically impossible that all these ancestors would belong to a single or even a mere handful of ethnic groups. Especially when you realize that most African countries, even the smaller ones, have dozens of separate ethnic groups. Although actually often strongly interrelated and to be clustered into greater ethno-linguistic groups (see this page). These charts should convey the main idea:

(click to enlarge)

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Source: http://dgmweb.net/Ancillary/OnE/NumberAncestors.html

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For more discussion:

• What Tribe Am I? (2014)
• Fictional Family Tree incl. African Born Ancestors (2015)
• Is it possible to find a plausible ethnic background ? (ROOTS.NL, part 2, Searching for Gold)
• Fula, Wolof or Temne? Upper Guinean AncestryDNA results 2013-2018
• Akan or Ewe? West African AncestryDNA results 2013-2018
• Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa-Fulani? Nigerian AncestryDNA results 2013-2018

2) If you want your research to be all encompassing you will want to rely on the complementarity of admixture analysis and DNA matches. As well as any other useful sources of course. I firmly believe that despite inherent limitations and given correct interpretation 23andme’s regional admixture estimates can be very useful as a stepping stone for follow-up research. And just to get a general idea of where most of your African ancestors hailed from. All according to the latest state of knowledge. Which naturally may be improved upon across time. I find it important to stay positive and focus on what ever informational value you can obtain despite imperfections. Instead of taking a dismissive stance. Preferring to see the glass as half full rather than half empty 😉 You do need to make an effort yourself and stay engaged to gain more insight though!

In particular your follow-up research may include a focus on your African DNA matching patterns and how your African DNA matches may validate or correlate with your regional admixture scores. For example if you find around 20 African matches and 10 of them appear to be either Yoruba or Igbo Nigerians then this solidifies and also potentially specifies any major “Nigerian” score you might have obtained. See also:

• African DNA Matching Surveys (ongoing)