Family Networks

Abstract

Described embodiments enable identification of family networks using combinations of DNA analysis and genealogical information. Genealogical data is provided by users of a genealogical research service or collected from other sources and used to create family trees for each user. DNA samples are also received from the users. By analyzing the DNA samples, potential genetic relationships can be identified between some users. Once these DNA-suggested relationships have been identified, common ancestors can be sought in the respective trees of the potentially related users. Where these common ancestors exist, an inference is drawn that the DNA-suggested relationship accurately represents a familial overlap between the individuals in question. People descended from the same common ancestor are each members of a family network. Members of a family network not in a user's tree may be identified for the user, enabling the user to discover additional ancestors that might otherwise have remained unknown.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 receiving a set of genetic data sampled from a user;   retrieving, from a data store, a plurality of sets of genetic data of other users;   identifying, based on the plurality of sets of genetic data, one or more potential relatives of the user by comparing the genetic data of the user to the plurality of sets of genetic data of other users;   recommending the one or more potential relatives of the user to the user through a user interface;   receiving a selection of one of the potential relatives by the user;   retrieving genealogical data related to the selected potential relative;   identifying a set of nodes representing individuals related to the selected potential relative based on the genealogical data of the selected potential relative, a first node of the set of nodes representing the selected potential relative;   creating an expanded set of nodes by connecting a second node representing the user to the set of nodes based on genealogical data of the user; and   displaying a graphical representation of the expanded set of nodes at the user interface, the graphical representation comprising the first node representing the selected potential relative and the second node representing the user, the first node and the second node connected in the graphical representation through at least a third node representing a common relative.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of nodes including the first node is a first set of nodes, and wherein creating an expanded set of nodes comprises:
 identifying a second set of nodes that includes the second node representing the user, the second set of nodes identified based on genealogical data of the user; and   concatenating the first set of nodes with the second set of nodes to create the expanded set of nodes.   
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein concatenating the first set of nodes with the second set of nodes to create the expanded set of nodes comprises:
 identifying one or more unique individuals that are commonly represented by nodes from both the first set and the second set; and   merging the nodes that represent the one or more unique individuals, thereby concatenating the first set and the second set.   
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein creating an expanded set of nodes comprises:
 identifying a common ancestor of the user and the selected potential relative, the common ancestor represented by the third node in the set of nodes;   creating a connection between the third node and the second node representing the user; and   adding the second node to the set of nodes through the connection.   
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one common relative is a common ancestor of the user and the selected potential relative. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 5 , wherein the common ancestor is a most recent common ancestor. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying, based on the plurality of sets of genetic data, one or more potential relatives of the user is based on common genetic data of the user and one of the potential relatives, the common genetic data inherited from a common ancestor. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying, based on the plurality of sets of genetic data comprises, one or more potential relatives of the users comprises:
 identifying shared segments of the genetic data of the user and one of the other users:   identifying a length of the shared segments, wherein the length of the shared segments is a number of continuous based pairs that are shared by the user and the one of the other users;   determining that the length of the shared segments exceeds a threshold length; and   determining that the one of the other users is one of the potential relatives.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one node in the graphical representation is selectable, at the user interface, to display bibliographic data about the individual corresponding to the selected node. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical representation of the expanded set of nodes displayed at the user interface is a family tree. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a processor;   a memory comprising instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 receive a set of genetic data sampled from a user; 
 retrieve, from a data store, a plurality of sets of genetic data of other users; 
 identify, based on the plurality of sets of genetic data, one or more potential relatives of the user by comparing the genetic data of the user to the plurality of sets of genetic data of other users; 
 receive a selection of one of the potential relatives by the user; 
 retrieve genealogical data related to the selected potential relative; 
 identify a set of nodes representing individuals related to the selected potential relative based on the genealogical data of the selected potential relative, a first node of the set of nodes representing the selected potential relative; and 
 create an expanded set of nodes by connecting a second node representing the user to the set of nodes based on genealogical data of the user; and 
   a user interface configured to:
 recommend the one or more potential relatives of the user to the user; and 
 display a graphical representation of the expanded set of nodes, the graphical representation comprising the first node representing the selected potential relative and the second node representing the user, the first node and the second node connected in the graphical representation through at least a third node representing a common relative. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the set of nodes including the first node is a first set of nodes, and wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 identify a second set of nodes that includes the second node representing the user, the second set of nodes identified based on genealogical data of the user; and   concatenate the first set of nodes with the second set of nodes to create the expanded set of nodes.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 identify one or more unique individuals that are commonly represented by nodes from both the first set and the second set; and   merge the nodes that represent the one or more unique individuals, thereby concatenating the first set and the second set.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 identify a common ancestor of the user and the selected potential relative, the common ancestor represented by the third node in the set of nodes;   create a connection between the third node and the second node representing the user; and   add the second node to the set of nodes through the connection.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one common relative is a common ancestor of the user and the selected potential relative. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the common ancestor is a most recent common ancestor. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein identify, based on the plurality of sets of genetic data, one or more potential relatives of the user is based on common genetic data of the user and one of the potential relatives, the common genetic data inherited from a common ancestor. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 identify shared segments of the genetic data of the user and one of the other users:   identify a length of the shared segments, wherein the length of the shared segments is a number of continuous based pairs that are shared by the user and the one of the other users;   determine that the length of the shared segments exceeds a threshold length; and   determine that the one of the other users is one of the potential relatives.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one node in the graphical representation is selectable, at the user interface, to display bibliographic data about the individual corresponding to the selected node. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical representation of the expanded set of nodes displayed at the user interface is a family tree.