Want to make sense of your DNA matches? Got an unknown parent or grandparent? Time to learn about the Leeds Method.
Developed by genetic genealogist Dana Leeds while helping an adoptee identify their biological family, the Leeds Method has become a game-changing technique for organizing DNA matches.
Here’s your complete guide to understanding and implementing this powerful clustering strategy.
What Is the Leeds Method?
The Leeds Method is a systematic approach to sorting your DNA matches into distinct color-coded clusters that represent different ancestral lines. Think of it as organizing your matches into family groups – typically representing your four grandparent lines.
Simple but brilliant.
Why Use It?
- Helps identify unknown biological parents or grandparents
- Breaks down brick walls in your research
- Organizes matches into meaningful groups
- Reveals patterns in your DNA matches
- Essential first step in working with DNA results
- Particularly valuable for adoptee research
When to Use It
The perfect time to implement the Leeds Method is:
- When starting to search for unknown biological family
- While working on challenging genealogical puzzles
- Before diving deep into match analysis
- When you need to organize hundreds of matches
Who Should Use It
The Leeds Method works for:
- Adoptees seeking biological family
- Anyone with unknown parentage
- Genealogists hitting brick walls
- DNA test takers wanting to organize matches
- Researchers helping others with family history
- Both beginners and advanced genetic genealogists
Where to Start: The Basic Steps
1. Gather Your Matches
- Focus on matches in the 400-90 centiMorgan (cM) range
- These typically represent 2nd-3rd cousins
- Avoid using closer relatives who might share multiple grandparent lines
2. Create Your Chart
- Use Excel, Google Sheets, or paper
- List match names and cM amounts
- Create columns for different colors
3. Begin Color Coding
- Start with your highest match in the range
- Assign them your first color
- Check their shared matches
- Color all shared matches the same color
4. Continue the Process
- Move to the next uncolored match
- Assign a new color
- Color their shared matches
- Repeat until all matches are colored
5. Analyze the Results
- Look for 4 main color clusters (representing grandparent lines)
- Note any matches appearing in multiple colors
- Identify patterns and connections
How It Works: The Technical Details
The Magic Range: 400-90 cM
- Second to third cousin range
- Distant enough to separate grandparent lines
- Close enough to have significant shared DNA
- Optimal for identifying distinct family groups
Best-Case Scenario
- Four distinct color clusters emerge
- Each represents one grandparent line
- Clear separation between family groups
- Easy-to-identify patterns
Pro Tips
1. Start Simple
- Begin with a manageable number of matches
- Don’t overthink the initial color choices
- Focus on patterns, not perfection
2. Watch for Overlap
- Some matches may belong in multiple clusters
- This often indicates closer relationships
- Can help identify connection points
3. Be Flexible
- Results may vary from the ideal four clusters
- Work with what your data shows
- Adjust your approach as needed
4. Document Everything
- Keep clear records of your process
- Note any assumptions made
- Track changes and updates
Troubleshooting Common Challenges
Too Few Clusters?
- Check if you’re using matches who share multiple lines
- Look for additional matches in the target cM range
- Consider if grandparents might be related
Too Many Clusters?
- Look for overlapping patterns
- Consider consolidating similar clusters
- Check if you’re including too-distant matches
Unclear Patterns?
- Review your shared matches carefully
- Double-check your color coding
- Consider starting fresh with a smaller set of matches
Taking It Further
Once you’ve created your basic clusters:
- Build out family trees for matches in each cluster
- Look for common surnames within clusters
- Use traditional genealogy to verify connections
- Consider chromosome mapping
- Share findings with matches to collaborate
Final Thoughts
The Leeds Method, while not magic, provides a structured approach to organizing your DNA matches. It’s an invaluable first step in genetic genealogy research. Remember – your results may vary, but any patterns you discover can help guide your research.
Credit: The Leeds Method was developed by Dana Leeds while helping adoptees identify their biological families. This guide is based on her original work and teachings. For more information, visit danaleeds.com for resources and videos on genetic genealogy.
