DNA Research Using GEDmatch
Since a small group of Burleson Family Association members volunteered to work with DNA GEDmatch submissions several years ago, approximately 200 + GEDmatch.com numbers have been reviewed. BFA hopes that each contribution will aid in eventually assigning the farthest known ancestors to our lines. Our volunteers compare the data of each submitter to others identified as either triangulating or sharing “in common with” DNA matches with them. At no time is the privacy of any individual compromised by BFA. Our researchers also use traditional research skills to discover and document various Burleson and allied lines. The ties between the northern and southern groups of Burleson families are now being documented, but it is an enormous project and takes time and patience!
BFA uses the 13 suspected or proven children of Aaron Burleson (ca 1727-1782) and his partner, Rachel (often associated with the name Rachel Hendricks -unproven) as the generation most likely to help with further identification. While most children are well-documented, three daughters have little or no documented proof of lineage but our volunteer researchers continuously search for new evidence and hope to prove or disprove these problematic lines.
A chart is kept as a person is assigned to one of the 13 lines, but many other Burleson and allied lines of descent are also explored. Recently, through our Burleson Y-DNA project, hosted by FTDNA.com, we have discovered that one of our "in common" Burleson lines came from the Durham, England area, to the United States as early as the middle 1600s or even earlier. If you are a male Burleson who has taken a Y-DNA test with this company, please join the BURLESON Y-DNA Project.
Click here to review the FTDNA Burleson Y-DNA Report, February 29, 2024.
Burleson Family DNA Projects
Adding Your DNA Test Results to GEDmatch
For those who submit their GEDmatch numbers, a simple tree beginning with themselves and continuing to their earliest known Burleson, including the names of the direct-line spouses, should be submitted. Knowing where to start researching is almost impossible without that information.
Please follow the detailed instructions for how to get a GEDmatch number. If you have difficulty, contact BFA at burlesonfamilyassociation@gmail.com, and we will try to respond in the order we receive a question.
On GEDmatch, navigate to the Free tools and use “Ancestor Projects” to upload your DNA data to the Burleson Project.
If you have taken an autosomal DNA test from one of several major DNA testing companies, please get a free GEDmatch.com account. GEDmatch.com is a free third-party website that offers a variety of helpful applications. To obtain and use GEDmatch applications, first, you must download your raw DNA file from the company website where you tested. Each company will provide instructions, usually found in their HELP files. On the home page, as you set up your account, you can choose an "Alias." You may also select "opt-in" or "opt-out" to allow or disallow the police to use your files for research.
We will use Ancestry.com as an example: Choose the DNA tab, find Your DNA Results Summary, and choose Settings. See Test Management>Actions, where you can download the DNA zip file to your computer. Google or YouTube are beneficial if you encounter any problems with the raw data downloads.
Once signed-in, choose the New Version, which is more user-friendly.
Register with a User ID and password. Record this critical GEDmatch Number and save it because it is required to use the applications. The number will generally begin with one or two Capital letters followed by five or more numbers. Then upload the raw data file retrieved from your DNA testing company. GEDMatch can open the text, zip, or Gzip files, so unzipping any files before uploading is unnecessary.
Upload DNA is located in the upper tabs. You will be asked to enter a donor name, alias (optional), and other pertinent information, including privacy options. Once you have completed these answers, you will navigate to the location of your downloaded DNA file and select Upload. This sometimes takes up to 10 minutes to upload, and you may see little or no activity while it works. When it is uploaded, your profile information, along with your assigned DNA kit number, will be provided. Could you be sure to write this down and keep it in a safe place?
It will take one to two days before GEDmatch is fully functional. Once active, follow the instructions to upload your simple GEDcom tree.
You will find a set of Free Tools (limited) and a fully functional set of Tier 1 Tools ($) that can be used to analyze your data and compare it with other people’s results.
This information has been adapted and revised from an article by David R. Neithamer,
President of the Austin Family Association of America