Lance, Our DNA is pretty random – so it’s not like solving an algebra problem, or surveying land etc. Roughly 1 in 10 true 3rd cousins will not show up as a Match at all. However, in general, what you assume (a larger segment is usually a closer relative, than a smaller one) is probably the way it is. One idea is to use the ISOGG/Wiki Shared Segment chart for the largest segment you share. In general, endogamy does not change an individual segment. Instead, endogamy results in additional shared segments (usually) which is why the total gives a skewed look. Another idea is to use Triangulation – each shared segment came to you down one specific ancestral line. The people who match you (through a shared segment), will have a Common Ancestor with you, somewhere on the same ancestral line. In other words, some Ancestor had to pass down the DNA segment to you and to your Match – you’re trying to find that Ancestor. With Triangulation, all of your Matches in the Triangulated Group who got roughly the same DNA segment, got it from the same Ancestor – down a specific line of descent to you (and a different line of descent to each Match). You may have that Ancestor in your ancestry is several different “boxes”, but only one of those “boxes” is the one the DNA came from – AND you will only have certain close cousins on that line, that you don’t have on the other instances of that Ancestor in different “boxes”. Hope this helps. Jim