RootsMagic has a feature called the Relationship Calculator. I find it very useful because it has the ability to show multiple relationships beyond just the closest ones. It even presents the relationships in order of closest to furthest.
Understanding how you’re related to DNA matches and historical figures can reveal fascinating connections in your family tree. When researching genealogy, especially in communities with endogamy or cousin marriages, you may discover that you share multiple relationships with the same person through different ancestral lines. This is where the RootsMagic relationship calculator becomes an invaluable research tool.
How I use the Relationship Calculator:
- Set the root person.
- Select the target person.
- Check the option to show multiple relationships (if applicable in your version).
- Run the calculation and interpret the list.
The use of this tool makes it easier to find and verify endogamy, which is basically the marriage of cousins Most online trees only show one relationship, which can hide valuable.
The Relationship Calculator helps my research by:
- Identifying pedigree collapse and endogamy.
- Explaining unusually high DNA match amounts.
- Spotting overlooked surname or locality connections.
Most online programs focus on the most direct relationship it finds. Using the Relationship Calculator has helped me broaden my research horizons and led me to new and exciting connections
Finding Multiple Relationships with RootsMagic: A Real Example
The screenshot above demonstrates this feature perfectly. In my own research, I discovered that Thomas Jefferson and I share multiple relationships through different ancestral lines. The calculator revealed both a half twelfth cousin 3 times removed relationship through Margery Venables, and a thirteenth cousin 3 times removed relationship through William Mainwaring and Elizabeth Leycester. Without this tool, I might have only known about one of these connections and missed valuable research opportunities.
Whether you’re working with DNA matches, exploring endogamous communities, or simply curious about all the ways you’re connected to your ancestors, the RootsMagic relationship calculator is an essential tool for thorough genealogical research. Try using it on your tree today to discover hidden connections you might have overlooked.
