When I first started undertaking DNA analysis back in 2011, I would often duplicate my effort by revisiting key matches, running queries and would sometimes spend many hours before I realised I had gone down the same rabbit hole, again. I started many
'master' spreadsheets, often deciding to start again as I kept wanting to view the data in different ways.
Jim Bartlett blogged about his spreadsheet method in 2014 and I once again adapted my process to try and get some order into my data management, but I still had so much other information, email folders, pedigrees and notes in different places. I was in a mess. The spreadsheet method suits many but the volume of data can make it unmanageable particularly if you are not used to manipulating large amounts of data. I had heard about a database called Genome Mate Pro (GMP) but hadn't been able to use it as it only ran on Windows. It was developed by Becky Walker and was free! In 2015 a version that worked on a Mac was released and I started using the product, I've not looked back since. I was delighted as it gave me order and structure, plus I immediately saw results. Being specifically built to support DNA analysis it had all the views I wanted. I was able to capture text and pedigree information and it gave me a 'one stop shop' for storing all my information with the ability to also record my progress with notes and status settings.
Fast forward to today, we now have the new and improved Genealogical DNA Analysis Tool (GDAT) with separate Windows and Mac versions. Back in 2011, I was only dealing with data from FamilyTreeDNA and GEDmatch. In 2022 we have many more testing companies and as a result many more thousands of DNA matches. I really don't know where I would be without GDAT! I use it to manage other kits as well as my own and you can see from my latest stats that I now have nearly half a million DNA relatives in my database. How I could have ever done that in a spreadsheet is beyond me! Thank you Becky Walker for all you do!!
Pre requisites
To be able to use the GDAT database you first need to understand the DNA Analysis Framework and the underlying concepts of chromosome analysis. You must also be computer literate and adept with handling spreadsheets and large amounts of data.
You can find more information about the DNA Framework and chromosome analysis on this page. If you are unfamiliar with these concepts I suggest you revisit the posts included in the 'DNA Research Framework Modules - Chromosome Analysis' section before attempting to use the GDAT product.
SAG GDAT User Group
This new series of GDAT posts have been developed to support the new user group we are establishing at the Society of Australian Genealogists (SAG) for members using the GDAT product. It does not replace the extensive user guide and help video tutorials already developed by the GDAT team. Members of the User Group should always consult those resources first.
To get started:
* Watch the video and undertake all the tasks in the Quick Start Guide (Setting up);
* Read how the developer (Becky) approaches her DNA analysis, recognising the tool allows for multiple variations.
To get help:
* Make sure you first consult the extensive GDAT User Guide;
* Join the Facebook Group for GDAT and search the site to see if the question has been asked before. If not, ask the question there;
* SAG members can join the 'private' SAG GDAT User Group on Facebook for general collaboration between members.
Remember:* GDAT is a database
* You need to constantly feed it information
* Without loading the relevant report - it can’t tell you anything
* You need to understand chromosome analysis to be able to use it
* Avoid re-work: before you start, decide how you are going to mark groups, use status settings and standardise notes.
Site overview
The GDAT site is divided into workspaces, the key areas highlighted in the following chart. Points 1-6 were the focus of our first meeting as these are needed to get started. Follow the instructions in the User Guide to set up, including the video tutorials.
The following are some key things to remember as you work with the software.
- File - open, close, back-up, restore. Back up regularly!
- Help - lots of resources, use them;
- Preferences - check this area if things aren't behaving as you would expect, you probably need to adjust some of the defaults;
- Edit - this is where you set up profiles and activate import templates. Profiles are people whose DNA results you are tracking. It is important to ensure you have set up 'match keys' for each DNA source you want to import. Before you can get any data into the database, you must also tell GDAT the type of imports you will do and activate the relevant templates;
- Utilities - alternative way to import gedcom, plus ability to set standard surname and variations;
- Import Data - this is where you load DNA data. Remember to set up your import templates before attempting to import your data files (see 4).
When you first start using GDAT it is best to trial it with one profile and one DNA data source. When you are comfortable with how the software is working, branch out with more profiles or new data sources.
Before you start analysing and marking segments
Once you have set up your profiles and imported data you have the information you need to start your analysis. However, before you start reviewing your relative list or chromosome browser views (F8 - total cMs; or F7 - cMs by chromosome), make sure you have also loaded a pedigree for each profile.
Once the pedigree is loaded, it is important to review your group names and make amendments to the ancestral couple names if needed. As you mark segments to ancestral groups GDAT has a number of tools that use these MRCA group names, including database interrogation tools, chromosome maps, etc so it's important they are consistent. These tools will be discussed in more detail in future meetings.
As indicated earlier, the more data you feed into GDAT the more useful it will be to you. You should focus on importing as many pedigrees for your matches as possible if you want to use the GDAT software to work to its fullest extent. The following chart may assist in deciding how to import pedigree information for your matches. DNAGedcom can be extremely slow to generate reports, but the advantage is you can import trees in bulk, whereas most other methods are one at a time. Be aware that these third party tools can be subject to change.
Not all methods of extracting DNA segment data from the source company are the same. Some are more time consuming than others. It may depend on the platform you are using. Many GDAT users use different approaches, you need to decide what works best for you. Remember whilst GDAT has a triangulation feature, unless you have loaded the relevant ICW and triangulation data it cannot provide accurate reports. Be conscious of when your GDAT system can/cannot provide this, it may not be possible for all DNA sources at all times. Again, be aware that the third party tools for extracting this information are constantly subject to change.
The last three workspaces will be the focus of future meetings when the genetic and genealogical tools of the GDAT software will be discussed in more detail.
- Relative - views relevant to your DNA matches;
- Profile - views relevant to people whose DNA you are monitoring;
- MRCA - tools to assist your research.
GDAT is a complicated product, but we are dealing with a complicated subject matter. It has many benefits in increasing your productively when reviewing your DNA results. It is of particular benefit when managing multiple kits. If used regularly it provides a 'one stop shop' and makes it much easier to quickly pick up where you left off. Don't keep re inventing the wheel, it might be time consuming to start but bear with it. If you are serious about your analysis and plan to be in it for the long haul it will definitely be worth it!
Veronica Williams
GDAT Group Convenor
23rd September 2022
Other GMP references:
There are some other documents that may be useful when learning about GDAT that were developed for the old GMP system. Whilst not exactly applicable, many of the concepts are the same. Most I know about have been collated onto the DNA Sydney blogsite, you can access them via
this page.
