Ancestry Match Downloader

Download Ancestry DNA Match Information
What is Ancestry Match Downloader?
'Ancestry Match Downloader' is a Chrome extension designed to leverage the new Ancestry DNA API. It scans, stores, and downloads your DNA match details. It limits the download to matches sharing 20cm or more, the 4th Cousin or Closer filter of Ancestry. The extension provides numerous features including a filter for clusters, match scanning, and exporting routines. Additionally, it includes a cluster tool to identify clusters based on matches falling between given shared-centimorgans and other sophisticated features.

Extension stats

By: Randal
Users: 1,000+
Rating: 3.00 (19)
Version: 0.1.4 (Last updated: 2019-06-15)
Creation date: 2019-06-14
Risk impact: Low risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • activeTab
  • storage
  • unlimitedStorage
  • https://www.ancestry.com/
Size: 23.53K

Other platforms

Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

Ancestry Match Downloader is designed to use the new Ancestry DNA API to scan, store, and download your current matches. The extension limits the download to matches having 20cm or more in common. This the 4th Cousin or Closer filter that Ancestry uses. Ancestry does not include matches with less than 20cm shared in their in common matching. Typically a user will have from up to 10000 matches that fall in this range. The match scan will take approximately 1 minute per 5000 matches. Scanning in common matches still takes a long time to complete. If you have 2500 matches expect ICW scan to take around 30 minutes. If you have 4000 matches expect it to take 2 hours. If you have 6000 matches expect it to take 3 to 4 hours.

Updates: Version 0.1.4 Changed the default filenames for export to include the test takers name. Also I included the filter settings for Clusters in the file name. The Cluster file name will be Name-ICW-Clusters-MaxCM-MinCM-Percent-MinSize.XML.

Version 0.1.3 Added message box to export routines to show number of matches exported and clusters exported.
Added more error catching to the exports.

Version 0.1.2 Added some error catching to the export routines to catch incomplete scans of match data. Added an message pop up when match scan is complete and ICW scan is complete.

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User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Useful for generating an ICW Matrix and changing thresholds.
  • Grabs user-added notes effectively.
  • Fulfills the need for the features lost after Ancestry updates.
Cons
  • No longer works due to Ancestry blocking access.
  • Difficult to use without proper guidance.
  • Frequently encounters server communication errors.
  • Corrupted cluster files that won't open in Excel.
Most mentioned
  • No longer works due to Ancestry's changes.
  • Need for step-by-step instructions or a video tutorial.
  • Experience with server communication errors.
  • Positive feedback on its utility when it worked.
  • Desire for additional features like visual representations.
Recent reviews
No longer works. The "Scan Matches" button gets "There was an error communicating with Ancestry Server try your scan again"
by Jim Cordy, 2022-02-12

After a few weeks of trying, I just cannot figure out how to use this extension. A step-by-step job aide or short video would be helpful!
by Nicole Hicks, 2022-01-27

server comm error
by Finding Nemo, 2021-11-05
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Ancestry Match Downloader requires very minimum permissions.

Risk likelihood

Ancestry Match Downloader has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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