P-L-N Genetic Genealogy

[degenerate]

There are a large number of similar sounding surnames with a core P-L-N phonological pattern (e.g. Palen / Pelan / Palén / Palon / Pelling / Palin / Paling / Pullen). Examples of these can be found all over Europe (especially the British Isles) and in the New World.

Over the centuries, for many reasons include language issues, lack of widespread conventions and poor literacy, the spelling of these surnames has changed and mutated, sometimes more than once. This can also arise as a result of migrating into an area with a similar surname and there is pressure to conform.

This can make life very difficult for a genealogist, particularly where a documented lineage is hard to come by (e.g. Ireland). Can you be sure that James Palon is really your James Paling ?

As a result of the confusion, I am conducting a genetic genealogy study which seeks to demonstrate scientifically, the inter-relatedness of people with this class of surnames (if any). In other words, a Y-DNA study which will establish the distinct lineages irrespective of the surname spelling.

Any male bearing one of these surnames is invited to volunteer to take part although the cost of testing (at least US $99) needs to be covered. I am prepared to subsidise the tests of one or two individuals with documented lineages back to the province of Ulster in Ireland or around Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire in England.

You can read more about what I am doing here;

* http://pelan.org/PelanDNAProject.aspx
* http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Pelan/default.aspx

I have a few volunteers already (thank-you!). A potentially interesting result has been found with a Paling but many more contributors are needed if a complete picture is to be established. This is made difficult as many of the surnames in question are relatively rare.

Please note that the DNA test is self-administered, by a painless mouth-swab. No one comes to your home and you can do this pseudo-anonymously if desired. The recommended testing labs are FTDNA operating in conjunction with the University of Arizona.

Please contact me by e-mail if you are interested - dna 'at' pelan.org .

Thank-you!

[degenerate]

Current list of project surnames:

Pailing, Palan, Palding, Palen, Palén, Palenius, Palin, Paling, Pallen, Pallin, Pallon, Paulding, Paulin, Pauline, Payling, Pealing, Pealon, Peelen, Peeling, Pelan, Pelán, Pélan, Pellan, Pelland, Pellant, Pelling, Pelon, Pillan, Pilling, Pillion, Pilon, Plain, Plaine, Polin, Pollen, Pollin, Pollyn, Pullan, Pullen, Pulleyn, Pullin

[degenerate]

Pawling and Pauling have now come within scope.

[degenerate]

Project still going after nearly 10 years.

Especially seeking Paling/Payling/Pawling/Palin currently living in England.

Updated URLs:

 *  http://gene.pelan.org
 *  https://www.familytreedna.com/public/Pelan/

[degenerate]

Just touching base again 5 years later.   Lots of progress and connections between similar sounding names have been made.

Still looking for testing candidates particularly from Nottinghamshire/Yorkshire - PALING/PAYLING and PELAN from Washington State in the US. PAWLING and PALIN from England are also of primary interest.

[degenerate]

Latest result from a PALIN in the USA who is descended from PALINs in the colonial Province of Carolina. They turn out to be from the PELAN / PALING Y-DNA group. I am currently testing them to Y-700 in an attempt to resolve the time-line which might indicate if they came via Ireland or direct from England.

I would add that if you are thinking about getting Y-DNA tested, for this project or any other, please don't take too long thinking about it as the opportunity might pass (in the 15+ years of this project, a number of candidates and prospective candidates have passed away and I am all too conscious that I might also). Your contribution might be absolutely vital especially if you do not have any sons or other male-line relatives.

I am extremely grateful to all those who have contributed their Y-DNA and those that might have helped persuade them.