AutoClusters is a new genetic genealogy tool that groups together DNA Matches that likely descend from common ancestors in a compelling visual chart. This easy-to-use tool helps you explore your DNA Matches more efficiently in groups rather than as numerous individuals, and gain insights about branches in your family tree.
AutoClusters organizes your MyHeritage DNA Matches into shared match clusters that likely descended from common ancestors. By grouping together DNA Matches who likely belong to the same branch and have a common ancestor, AutoClusters can be very helpful in shedding light on the relationship paths that connect you and your matches. By reviewing family trees of clustered matches, users can piece together the entire branch. Clusters are color-coded for convenience and are presented in a powerful visual chart, as well as in list format.
This new tool was developed in collaboration with Evert-Jan Blom of GeneticAffairs.com, based on technology that he created, further enhanced by the MyHeritage team. Our enhancements include better clustering of endogamous populations (people who lived in isolated communities with a high rate of intermarriages, such as Ashkenazi Jews and Acadians), and an automatic threshold selection for optimal clustering so that users need not experiment with any parameters.
MyHeritage is thrilled to be the first major DNA service to offer automatic clustering technology to its users.
Accessing AutoClusters
Access AutoClusters by clicking the new entry “DNA Tools” in the DNA menu.
The new Tools page is the place where we are bringing together advanced tools such as the Chromosome Browser and the new AutoClusters tool. It is also available as a tab named “Tools” next to your DNA Matches and Ethnicity Estimate.
On the Tools page, click “Explore” on the AutoClusters card.
You’ll arrive at the AutoClusters page. Simply click “Generate” to create your AutoClusters. If you are managing DNA kits for more than one person, select a DNA kit first for which you want to generate AutoClusters.
Depending on user demand, generating AutoClusters can take anywhere between a few minutes to several hours.
Once we generate your clusters and they are ready for viewing, you will receive an email with an attached zip file with your clusters. This is the implementation for our initial release. In the future, we are planning to embed the clusters inside the MyHeritage user interface, and integrate them more tightly with your matches.
In the email, the zip file will include three files: an HTML file that contains a visual chart of the AutoClusters analysis, a CSV file that contains a spreadsheet version of the AutoClusters analysis, and a ReadMe.pdf file with some helpful information on AutoClusters that also describes the parameters we selected automatically for generating it.
For optimal viewing, save the files to your hard drive, extract the contents, and then open them.
Note that you can currently generate only one AutoClusters analysis per day for each DNA kit that you manage. This is protection against an excessive load.
Didn't receive your AutoCluster attachment?
If you received the confirmation email but the attached file is missing, your email provider might be blocking it. As a troubleshooting step, try updating your account to a different email address and generate the Autoclusters again.
To learn more about this topic, read this article on the MyHeritage Knowledge Base site: AutoClusters for DNA Matches. On MyHeritage Knowledge Base, you'll find additional articles, webinars, and how-to videos that can help you master your genealogy skills.