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Shared Matches of Matches:

A DNA Grouping Strategy

Master the game-changing DNA tool everyone is talking about

Make more DNA discoveries
More confidently
In less time
With less confusion
With this breakthrough tool
And this breakthrough process

Shared Matches of Matches: A DNA Grouping Strategy

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What you'll learn

  • Step-by-step methods for using the Shared Matches of Matches tool available at Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, and 23andMe

  • Progressive instruction that takes you from “right-now” strategies to more advanced ones

  • A process you can follow repeatedly and in different situations to organize your data and focus on the matches that matter most

  • How to use our series of carefully-designed research logs to keep track of everything

  • How to confidently apply the strategies through practice and homework

  • How observing patterns and trends can help you more quickly and precisely define the branch of interest in your match’s family tree, so your genealogy research will be much more efficient

  • Time-saving insights into which matches you should focus your efforts on

  • How this tool can help you break through your brick walls and answer your questions
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In a nutshell, you’ll learn an organized process that takes full advantage of the tools for analyzing shared matches of matches. This will help you shortcut the time-consuming “DO GENEALOGY” step to help you identify your missing ancestor faster and more accurately.

How the Course will help you

  • Engaging video tutorials and companion exercises offer a guided learning experience

  • Short, step-by-step, close-captioned modules help you digest one concept at a time

  • On-demand access lets you set your own pace: start, stop and rewatch whenever you want

  • Practice case study prepares you to use the tool with your own research

  • Expert-led discussion boards, so you can ask questions and discuss what you're learning

  • Professionally-designed workbook (fillable PDF) turns your coursework into a handy reference guide

  • Unlimited, indefinite access to the Course: return and refresh your learning anytime

  • FREE occasional updates as the tools for analyzing shared matches of matches may develop over time–we want to keep your learning current

How much does it cost?

Just $297!

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What people say about our Shared Matches of Matches Course

Meredith Johanson

Meredith Johanson

"After taking the Shared Matches Matches Course...it took me all of 3 hours to find [my cousin's] biological mom — I couldn't have done it without what I learned in the Shared Matches of Matches course!"

Annette Polsky

Annette Polsky

“The Shared Matches of Matches course was one of the most useful classes I’ve taken. Before taking the course, I had all my close matches dotted. This course showed me how to organize and group them better. I highly recommend this course.”

Pink and Blue Anonymous Testimonial

Eileen Condon

"This is a fantastic course and I learned so much. Definitely making better use of shared matches and assessing which matches are not worth pursuing. Thanks, Diahan and all coaches!”

Blue and Red Anonymous Testimonial

Christine B.

"I am in awe about how well you understand DNA to develop a course like this. I have used your process on my two main brick walls....Now I can create a genetic family tree--not yet perfectly but it is amazing."

 

 

Who are we?

Your DNA Guide

Our sole purpose is to teach and inspire YOU to use DNA to explore your roots. We believe you can do it, and that there is power in making your own DNA discoveries. We’ve been focused on this mission for 10 years, which experience has made us a leading global genetic genealogy education company.

 

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Diahan Southard, Founder and CEO

and a world-renowned genetic genealogy educator

I teach people how to use DNA testing to learn about their families. I believe that discovering your family story is so empowering! Learning it makes you stronger, more rooted, more connected, more confident. You can do it–and I can help you, just as I’ve helped thousands of people around the world. 

Diahan 2022 Circle

Frequently asked questions

What do you mean by "shared matches of matches" tools?

This is a term we are using to collectively describe tools that allow you to see how much DNA your DNA matches are sharing with each other. At AncestryDNA, the tool is called Enhanced shared matches. MyHeritage DNA calls their tool Shared DNA Matches. At FamilyTreeDNA, the tool is called Family Finder-Matrix. At 23andMe, it is called Relatives in Common.

Who is this course for? How do I know if I’m ready for it?
Anyone at any point in their DNA education can learn something from this course. It helps if you have some experience in using the shared matches tool at your DNA testing company. Those with more advanced DNA experience will appreciate the insights about recognizing patterns and trends.
 
If you have endogamy in your family lines, this course may be able to help you, as we are primarily working with closer matches who are less affected by intermarriage. This course is not a substitute for Endogamy & DNA, which teaches essential strategies you will need to work with those intermingled branches.
What subscriptions or other special requirements are needed?
You will likely experience the greatest success if you have test results to work with at Ancestry.com, since their testing pool is the largest. On the Ancestry platform, you will need to have a subscription and a monthly membership to Pro Tools. If you don’t already have it, purchase one-month’s access while doing the Course. By the time you complete the Course, you’ll have a good idea whether you want to keep using Pro Tools.
 
You can also use tests at MyHeritage or 23andMe, which have had tools for viewing shared matches of matches for a long time. At MyHeritage, you’ll need access to the advanced DNA tools. If you tested with MyHeritage, you’ll need a subscription that includes the advanced DNA tools. If you uploaded your results from another site, you can purchase access to the advanced DNA tools for $29 per test.
What technical requirements are there?
This course takes place online in our Circle community. To access it, we'll send you an email with more information about joining the Your DNA Guide Circle community.
 
You'll also need a reliable internet connection for streaming the video learning sessions and for additional learning on your own time.
Why is this an on-demand course rather than a live workshop?
We chose an on-demand course format for a few reasons. This is a foundational DNA skill. You will use these strategies you learn again and again for new research questions. You get to keep access to the Course materials indefinitely, because we want you to be able to come back and review as needed.
 
Also, some people need more time than others for the concepts to sink in. We want everyone to be able to go at their own pace and stop, start and rewatch the tutorials as often as needed. We don’t want anyone to feel pressure to complete lessons quickly so others can “move on,” which can happen in a live experience.
What's the deal with the live Q&A in October?

Those who enroll in the Shared Matches of Matches Course by Friday, August 29 will be invited to an exclusive, live, virtual Q&A session on October 16, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET. (We'll send you the link after you enroll.) The Q&A provides extra support for those who could use live conversation about what they're learning. It also provides a suggested target goal for completing this self-paced course (or at least making significant progress). We know not everyone will be able to complete the course by then or attend the Q&A live, but we know this event will help many of you meet your goals sooner and more confidently. We'll send a recording link afterward, but we hope you can attend live!

More student successes!

"I went through SMoMs once using one set of matches, and now I’m going to go through it again because I have discovered a couple of huge mysteries in my dad’s DNA....I think you will find it very useful."

Lisa Roney

Lisa Roney

Mary Ann Perri
 

Mary Ann Perri

"I had figured out the main family… and had discovered many 2nd cousin matches. But we have so many multiple relationships ([in a] small, isolated community for generations) that I couldn't make the connection.... Using the SMoMs [process, I discovered that] this young woman has double relationships to me. Thank you."

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Take the Course now–and soon this game-changing tool will give you
more powerful insights into how people fit together on your family tree.