Getting Started with Genome Mate Pro, Part 11 — Install the DNAGedcom Client

In coming lessons, we will will import match data from Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), 23andMe, and AncestryDNA.  But first, we need to take a bit of a detour into DNAGedcom, a third-party website that offers tools for genetic genealogy.  The site offers a stand-alone program called the DNAGedcom Client that is the best portal for importing data from those companies into GMP.  It’s possible to import the data without going through the DNAGedcom Client, but I don’t recommend it.

Here’s why:  GMP tells DNA relatives apart from one another using a unique identifier called a “key”.  For example, the key for GEDmatch data is the kit number.  If you import segment data for the same GEDmatch number twice, GMP is smart enough to merge the data from the two imports rather than to create a second record for the same person.

The problem with importing directly from FTDNA and 23andMe is that those imports do not contain unique identifiers, Instead, GMP uses the matches’ names as keys. If two matches at the same company have the exact same name, e.g., John Miller, GMP will not be able to tell them apart and will merge the segment data from two different John Millers into a single person. This is bad. DNAGedcom, on the other hand, can determine the unique ID for each match, regardless of name. That allows GMP to tell one John Miller apart from another John Miller and treat them as the separate people they are.

Access to the DNAGedcom Client costs $5/month or $50/year.  If you are on a tight budget, subscribe for one month ($5), do imports for all of your profiles for FTDNA, 23andMe, and AncestryDNA, then let your subscription lapse.  You can subscribe again in a few months when you have enough new matches to make the fee worthwhile.

Note that the PC and Mac versions of the Client are slightly different in appearance and functionality.

 

Subscribe to DNAGedcom and Get the DNAGedcom Client

  1. Go to www.DNAGedcom.com.
  2. If you have already registered there, log in. If not, click “Register” at the top right, create a free account, and log in.
  3. Hover your cursor over “Members” in the options bar, then select “Subscriber Information”.
  4. If you do not already subscribe to DNAGedcom, scroll part way down the page to do so.  Select either “Silver Monthly” ($5) or “Silver Yearly” ($50), then click the SUBSCRIBE button.  Follow the instructions on the next page to pay.
  5. Once you have subscribed, return to the same page (Members > Subscriber Information) described in Step 3.
  6. In the text on the Subscriber Information page are two blue links, one to download the Client for Windows and one for Mac. Click the appropriate one for your computer’s operating system.

Install the DNAGedcom Client for Windows (see below for Mac)

  1. The Windows link on the Subscriber Information page will take you to another page with a button to INSTALL.
  2. Click on the “Setup.exe” shortcut shown at the bottom of your internet browser to install the Client.
    (You can also click the Setup.exe file in your Downloads folder to install.)
  3. If you get a security warning, click “Run” to continue with the installation.
  4. You may get additional popups during the installation. Choose the options that allow the installation to continue.
  5. When the program has installed and opened, you should see this window.  Click the OPTIONS button.
  6. In the OPTIONS tab, enter the user name and password that you use for your DNAGedcom membership, then click LOGIN. You can also designate the folder where the files we will generate later will be saved. When done, click the SAVE ALL button.
  7. You’re all done for now!  You can quit the Client.  It will automatically prompt you to update when new versions are released.

 

Install the DNAGedcom Client for Mac (see above for PC)

  1. The Mac link on the Subscriber Information page will download a file called DNAGedcomClient.zip to your computer (probably to your “Downloads” folder). Double-click on the file to unzip it.
  2. Double-click on the program itself.
  3. You will probably get a warning asking whether you are sure you want to open the file.  Click “Open”.
  4. When the program is installed, double-click on it to open it.
  5. Click on the OPTIONS tab. Enter the user name and password that you use for your DNAGedcom membership, then click LOGON. You can also designate the folder where the files we will generate later will be saved.
  6. You’re all done for now!  You can quit the Client.
  7. Follow these instructions to update your version of the Client when a new one comes out.

 

Getting Started with Genome Mate Pro Series

12 thoughts on “Getting Started with Genome Mate Pro, Part 11 — Install the DNAGedcom Client”

  1. When I click the long Logon button for step #5 for Mac, nothing seems to happen. Am I supposed to get a new popup or have another window open? Thank you!

  2. Thank you so much for these wonderfully detailed instructions! I have followed each step and am anxiously awaiting the next installment. You were absolutely correct that Genome Mate Pro can be overwhelming, but I feel like with your help, I can figure this all out! Keep up the great work.

    1. I’m glad you’re getting something out of the tutorials. The next installment is waiting for an update to the DNAGedcom Client, which should be out any day. The update will make things a lot easier.

  3. I’ve downloaded this and paid my $. I guess it’s only good for one month. Will we get step 12 before the month is up, or should I renew when it expires?

  4. Thanks so much for this step by step guide! I had read a lot about gnomepro but was always doubtful about whether I could figure it out. I’ve used your tutorial with no problems, worked my way through part 11. While I’m waiting (hopefully not too much longer…) for the next part, I am now working my way through the DNAGedcom programs and information!

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