Updated Results to Four Ancestral Subregions

Updated results to four ancestral subregions: Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Northern Isles, and Italian Switzerland

On 10 October 2024, AncestryDNA launched its largest ever update to enhance precision, granularity and the overall customer experience–including the launch of subregions. However, based on patterns we saw in our data and reports from customers, we identified four subregions that were not working as expected. We therefore temporarily paused and updated how we assign people to these four subregions: the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Northern Isles, and Switzerland-Ticino (formerly Italian Switzerland). 

Our initial assignments for these four subregions resulted in more members seeing them in their results than was correct, and as of 10 December 2024, we are re-releasing these four subregions with adjustments to their assignments. 

Because of this update, you may see changes to your subregions. Some subregion results may have been added or removed, connection strengths might have changed, or subregions may have been renamed and placed under different ancestral regions.

Why did the subregions need to be updated?

After we launched our new subregions feature, we noticed an unusually high number of members assigned to the Channel Islands, as well as some confusion about these assignments reported by users on social media and to member services. We investigated patterns across all 54 subregions and identified four with particularly high and potentially inaccurate assignment levels: the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Northern Isles, and Switzerland-Ticino. Whilst we worked on a solution to address this, we temporarily paused assignments to these four subregions and hid them from results.

How were the subregions adjusted?

Our re-evaluation of four subregions (the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Northern Isles, and Switzerland-Ticino) revealed that the initial thresholds used to assign members to these subregions resulted in some people without genuine origins in these areas seeing them in their results. This was the result of too lenient thresholds for assignment. To improve accuracy, we therefore increased the stringency of the assignment thresholds for these subregions. This adjustment reduced incorrect assignments while ensuring members with true family origins in these areas would still see them reflected in their results. These updates aimed to enhance the overall reliability and relevance of subregion assignments.

Why were these four subregions impacted?

When we initially set the assignment thresholds for these subregions, our primary goal was to ensure that everyone with origins in these areas would see them reflected in their results. To enhance the accuracy of assignments, we revisited and refined the thresholds for these four subregions. By implementing more precise thresholds, we significantly reduced the likelihood of incorrect assignments while still maintaining a high level of accuracy for members with genuine origins in these regions. This adjustment reflects our commitment to delivering scientifically robust and meaningful results.

Will other subregions be impacted by this update?

No other subregions and assignments have been impacted by this update. Subregions assignment is a new technology, and like other new technologies, we anticipate continuing to iterate and develop this feature to deliver accurate and meaningful insights.

In addition to adjusting the assignments for these four subregions, several other subregions were renamed and/or moved to different ancestral regions to better reflect the origins of people being assigned those subregions.

The updated subregions and the current ancestral regions under which they are located:
 

Old name	New name	Region(s) located under
Scottish Highlands	Scottish Highlands & Central Lowlands	Scotland
Scottish Lowlands	Scottish Southern Uplands & Central Belt	Scotland
French & German Switzerland	Switzerland	Germanic Europe
Italian Switzerland	Switzerland-Ticino	Northern Italy, Germanic Europe

Where can I learn more?

We’re glad you're as interested in this feature as we are. We have lots more resources to explore if you are interested in learning more about subregions and this update:

• AncestryDNA Regions, Subregions, and Journeys FAQ
• What are Subregions
• Science of: Subregions
• Ancestral Regions Whitepaper