If you and one of your DNA matches have the same ancestor in your trees, we show you that person as a common ancestor. When a match has a common ancestor, you'll see it listed.
Here's how it works. If someone with the same name appears on both your family tree and your match's tree, we check other details like dates, places, and family members. If everything matches, that person is seen as a common ancestor by both of you.
Because common ancestors depend on information from family trees, they're only as accurate as the trees themselves. To see common ancestors, you must have a public family tree linked to your DNA test. For best results, build your tree back as far as you can.
To view common ancestors and their relationships to your matches, you'll need an Ancestry family history membership. To see all of the details about your connections, you’ll need an Ancestry family history membership.
Viewing common ancestors
If you just linked your tree to your test, it may take up to 24 hours to start seeing common ancestors.
- From your list of DNA matches, click the name or username of a match with a Common ancestor label.
To see a list of matches with common ancestors, click the Common ancestors filter at the top of the page. If no matches appear, make sure your tree is public, linked, and built out several generations. - In the Common Ancestors panel on the left, click View Relationship to see the path that connects you.
- To see more details, click on View ThruLines.
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t I have matches with common ancestors?
Common ancestors depend on the information in both your linked public tree and your matches’ family trees. A detailed and accurate family tree improves the chances of finding common ancestors with your matches. If you don’t see matches with common ancestors, follow these steps:
- Make sure your tree is public.
- Confirm your tree is linked to your DNA results.
- Expand your family tree. Add people across several generations, including as much information as possible.
The more people and information there is to compare, the better the chances are of finding common ancestors.
Why are my common ancestors locked?
Viewing common ancestors is part of Ancestry family history memberships. To unlock access to common ancestors, purchase an Ancestry family history membership.
I used to have free access to common ancestors; why can’t I access them anymore?
Common ancestors are now part of Ancestry family history memberships, which are now required for access.
