The Polk-Pollock-Pogue (PPP) DNA Project is open to all persons claiming Polk, Pollock, Pogue, Poage, Paulk, Poak, etc, ancestry through blood or marriage who are interested in discovering or clarifying their family genealogy through DNA testing and sharing of results. All variant surname spellings are welcome. Our family is known to be of Scottish origin, tracing back to the ancient area, Pulloc, in Renfrewshire, southwest of present day Glasgow, along the White Cart River. The place name was first taken as a family name in the 12th century when these lands were given to Peter, Robert and Helia (Elias), sons of Fulbert, by Walter FitzAlan, the first High Steward of Scotland. The main line of the family, Pollok of that Ilk, held these lands in fealty to the king under the feudal system established in Scotland by David I. The direct, hereditary male line of descent died out with the death of Sir Robert Pollok, 18th of that Ilk, 2nd Baronet, in 1783, but a great number of descendants of the original family are found around the world to this day. As should be expected with any ancient family, different genetic branches have emerged from DNA testing. Not everyone with the family surname descends directly from the original Pollok family of Renfrewshire. We are not all genetically related to each other. As surnames became more commonly used in late medieval times, they were not all taken from direct birth or descent in a main family line. They sometimes came from clan affiliation or association with a location of origin. Surname changes in a genetic line can also be due to what is termed an NPE (Non-Paternal Event) due to an adoption, name change, infidelity or rape. DNA can be tested in different ways which are quite distinct and complementary. There are four types of tests offered by FTDNA: STR marker testing (Y37 and Y111), SNP testing (Big Y-700), autosomal DNA (Family Finder) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing. All help in determining lines of descent. Click on the "Results" tab above for more explanation of these. As it has turned out, a number of distinct male-line family branches have emerged from the Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) testing in the project. Each branch is identified by a characteristic mutation known as a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP), unique to the branch, found by Big Y testing. Big Y is conclusive in determining a male tester’s Y-DNA branch, but it is relatively costly (usually $449, sometimes on sale at $399). FTDNA also offers less costly tests known as Y37 and Y111 which tests STR markers, a different type of mutation in Y-DNA. These are not as determinative as Big Y. They usually give a good indication of which of the main branches a tester belongs to, but not the finer branches. If cost is a factor, it is probably best to start with Y37 or Y111, then decide on whether an upgrade to Big Y is worthwhile depending on the results. Please feel free to contact a project administrator to discuss the issues. A forum for discussing family history and genealogy will be found at the Pollock, Polk and Associated Surnames Genealogy Group on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/pollockgenealogy/ Any interested person may join; there is no requirement for kinship or testing. Clan Pollock International was established to promote family kinship and an appreciation for its history, genealogy and traditions. It is a member in good standing of the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA). Interested persons are encouraged to join. Please visit the website at https://www.clanpollock.com/