Diana Elder discusses how to interpret genetic network graphs in different scenarios - with no endogamy or pedigree collapse, with multiple relationships between matches, pedigree collapse from cousins reproducing over a few generations, and endogamy from a closed population reproducing over many generations. For clean trees with no pedigree collapse, she suggests using test-takers closer to the ancestor of interest, excluding close relatives, adjusting thresholds, and sub-clustering promising lines. With multiple relationships, she advises checking trees and shared cM tools. With pedigree collapse, clusters blend together making interpretation difficult, so diagramming is recommended. With endogamy, there may be just one huge interrelated cluster with inflated shared DNA, requiring focusing on the best matches with larger segments.
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