ThruLines helps you understand how you’re related to your DNA matches by showing possible relationship paths through common ancestors.
Only you and people you invite to view your DNA results and share your family tree with can see your ThruLines.
How ThruLines works
First, AncestryDNA identifies people who share DNA with you (your DNA matches).
Then, ThruLines uses information from linked family trees to show how you may be related.
To do this, ThruLines compares:
- The tree linked to your DNA results
- The trees linked to your DNA matches
It looks for people who appear in more than one tree and compares details such as names, dates, places, and family relationships to decide whether they refer to the same person.
When the same ancestor appears in multiple trees, ThruLines identifies that person as a common ancestor. It then builds possible relationship paths between you and your DNA matches through that common ancestor to show how you may be related.
ThruLines can show connections through common ancestors up to your 5th great-grandparents. It uses information already in linked trees and doesn’t add to or change them. Trees must be linked to DNA results and set to public or private but searchable to be included.
How to get ThruLines
To get ThruLines, you’ll need:
- AncestryDNA results
- A linked family tree
- An active Ancestry family history membership
If common ancestors are identified, ThruLines usually appear within 48 hours.
Exploring ThruLines
To access ThruLines:
- Select the DNA tab.
- Choose ThruLines.
You’ll see a list of common ancestors who may connect you to your DNA matches.
If no ancestors appear, common ancestors may not have been identified yet.
In the ancestor list:
- Ancestors with a solid outline are already in your tree.
- Ancestors with a dotted outline appear in your matches’ trees but not in yours.
Hover over an ancestor to see:
- How many DNA matches connect to you through that person
- The range of shared DNA between you and those matches (measured in centimorgans (cM))
Select an ancestor to view possible connections to your DNA matches through that person.
ThruLines views
When you select a common ancestor, ThruLines offers two ways to view connections: Relationships and List. You can switch between these views using the tabs at the top of the page.
In both views:
- People with a DNA icon are your matches.
- People labeled “Private” are either marked as living or in private trees.
- DNA matches may appear in more than one ThruLines if there is more than one possible connection.
Relationships view
The relationships view displays a tree-style path between you and your DNA matches through a common ancestor.
In the relationships view, you can:
- Follow the relationship path step by step.
- Select ancestors to view their profile page.
- Select DNA matches to open their compare page.
This view is helpful when you want to understand how you’re connected.
List view
List view groups DNA matches by family line.
In the list view, you can:
- See matches organized under specific branches.
- Compare multiple matches in the same line.
- Identify patterns on one side of your family.
This view is helpful when focusing on a specific branch or reviewing multiple matches at once.
Filtering
Filters help you narrow the ancestors shown in ThruLines.
To apply filters:
- In the top-right corner of ThruLines, select Filter.
- Choose an option:
- All ancestors: Shows all ancestors who may connect you to your DNA matches.
- Potential ancestors: Shows ancestors who appear in multiple DNA matches’ trees but not in yours.
- Ancestors in your linked tree: Shows only ancestors already in your tree.
- Maternal ancestors: Shows ancestors on your biological mother’s side.
- Paternal ancestors: Shows ancestors on your biological father’s side.
Maternal and paternal filters are based on how parents are labeled in your tree, not on DNA “By Parent” features.
If a biological parent isn’t listed or marked as biological in your tree, that side may not appear.
Potential ancestors
Potential ancestors appear with dotted outlines.
These are people who appear in multiple DNA matches’ trees but not in yours. They may be part of your family history and can be a starting point for further research.
Look at the records and details about that person in your matches’ trees and compare that information with what you already know about your family history. If the connection makes sense, you can add them to your tree.
Accuracy
ThruLines suggests possible relationships, but it doesn’t prove them. It's a research tool designed to help you explore possible family connections.
ThruLines builds relationship paths using information in linked, searchable family trees. Its accuracy depends on how complete and accurate those trees are. Small differences in names, dates, or other details can affect how ThruLines recognizes the same person across multiple trees.
The relationship path shown is one possible explanation based on the available tree information at the time. Because different relationships can share similar amounts of DNA, the shared DNA amount (cM) can help you evaluate other possibilities.
Select the shared DNA amount (cM) with a match to see the range of possible relationships and how common each one is.
Frequently asked questions
Select a question below to view the answer. Select the question again to hide it.
Who can see my ThruLines?
Only you and people you invite to view your DNA results can see your ThruLines.
Why don’t I see any ThruLines?
ThruLines appear when common ancestors can be identified between your linked family tree and your DNA matches’ linked trees.
To see ThruLines, make sure:
Account requirements
Tree requirements
If you recently updated your tree, account, or DNA settings, it may take up to 48 hours for changes to appear in ThruLines.
Even when everything is set up correctly, ThruLines may not appear yet if there isn’t enough overlapping tree information to identify common ancestors. As more people take AncestryDNA tests and link detailed trees, new ThruLines may appear over time.
Why don’t I see ThruLines for an ancestor?
ThruLines appear for an ancestor only when that person can be identified in multiple linked trees.
You may not see ThruLines for an ancestor if:
- There aren’t enough matches with linked trees connected to that ancestor.
- The trees don’t include enough similar details (such as names or dates) to confirm they refer to that ancestor as the same person.
- The ancestor appears differently across multiple trees.
As more people take AncestryDNA tests and link detailed trees, new ThruLines may appear.
Why am I the only descendant listed under an ancestor?
If details in your linked tree differ from those in your matches’ linked trees, ThruLines may not recognize them as the same person. When that happens, you may be the only descendant shown.
To help identify additional descendants:
- Review names, dates, and places in your tree.
- Compare those details with your matches’ tree.
- Check for duplicate or incorrectly placed individuals.
- Consider messaging your DNA matches to share information.
As more people take AncestryDNA tests and link detailed trees, or add information to existing trees, new ThruLines for that ancestor may appear over time.
Why don’t I see ThruLines for a DNA match?
A DNA match appears in ThruLines only when they have a linked, searchable family tree and a common ancestor can be identified.
You may not see a DNA match in ThruLines if:
As more people take AncestryDNA tests and link detailed trees, or add information to existing trees, new ThruLines connections may appear.
Why don’t I see ThruLines on both sides of my family?
ThruLines use the biological parents listed in your linked tree to determine maternal and paternal sides. If a biological parent isn’t listed, ThruLines won’t be able to create connections for that side.
First, check your filters:
- In the top-right corner of ThruLines, select Filter.
- Make sure a maternal or paternal filter isn’t selected.
- Choose All ancestors to see both sides.
Maternal and paternal filters are based on how parents are labeled in your tree, not on DNA “By Parent” features.
If filters aren’t the issue, check your tree:
Even with a complete tree, ThruLines may not appear for one side if there are no DNA matches on that side yet, or there’s not enough overlapping tree information to identify common ancestors.
After making changes, it may take up to 48 hours for ThruLines to update.
Why does a ThruLines path look incorrect?
ThruLines builds relationship paths using information in linked, searchable family trees. The path shown is one possible explanation based on the available tree information.
A ThruLines path may look incorrect if:
- Information in linked trees is incomplete or inconsistent.
- Small differences prevent ThruLines from recognizing the same person across trees.
- There isn’t enough overlapping information yet to show the connection you expect.
- You’re related in more than one way.
To explore further:
- Select the shared DNA amount (cM) to view other possible relationships.
- Review both trees to look for alternative connections.
- Check for duplicate or misplaced individuals in either tree.
- Consider messaging your DNA match to share information and clarify the connection.
If you or your DNA matches update linked trees, ThruLines may recalculate and show a different relationship path. It can take up to 48 hours for changes to appear.
Why do many relationship labels in my ThruLines seem incorrect?
If many relationship labels in your ThruLines seem incorrect, your DNA results may be linked to the wrong person in your family tree. ThruLines calculates relationships based on the person your DNA results are linked to.
To fix this, check:
After making changes, it may take up to 48 hours for ThruLines to update.
Does ThruLines prove biological relationships?
No. ThruLines suggests possible connections based on linked, searchable family trees. It should be used alongside records and other evidence to confirm relationships.
What is a potential ancestor in ThruLines?
Potential ancestors appear in ThruLines with a dotted outline. These are people who appear in multiple DNA matches’ trees but are not yet in yours.
They may represent a possible connection and can be a starting point for further family history research.
Why did my ThruLines change?
ThruLines may change when you or your DNA matches update linked trees. Because ThruLines relies on linked family tree information, changes to names, dates, or relationships in linked trees can affect connection paths.
When linked trees are updated, existing ThruLines may recalculate and show different connections.
What happens to my ThruLines if I cancel my family history membership?
ThruLines is included with an active Ancestry family history membership. If you cancel your family history membership, you’ll have access to ThruLines until your current membership expires. After that, you’ll need to resubscribe to access ThruLines again.
