Welcome to the homepage for the Tullis Surname DNA Project!
The purpose of this project is to learn more about how Tullises worldwide are related by studying genetics. Specifically, the project is studying the Y-chromosome of Tullis males to determine if they have a common male ancestor. Since the Y-chromosome is only inherited by males, it allows us to study the paternal lineage, but it also means that study participation is limited to males.
To participate in the study, you should meet the following criteria:
Are a male with the Tullis (or similar) surname. Some spelling variations that are certainly appropriate include Tullos and Tulles.
Can trace your Tullis line back at least three generations (i.e., to your great-grandfather). (If you can't, but would still like to participate, contact me, TomTullis@aol.com, and I would be glad to help you trace your line.)
Do not have any known cases in your ancestry where the surname was inherited through a daughter. (In this case, the Tullis Y-chromosome would not have been inherited.)
The testing and analysis is being done through FamilyTreeDNA, perhaps the most popular genetic genealogy service. The test analyzes a number of genetic "markers" and then compares your results to others in the database. If your markers match someone else's markers, it means that you share a common paternal ancestor with that person.
Some of the specific goals of this study are as follows:
Confirm that the "Southern U.S." Tullises and the "Midwestern U.S." Tullises are indeed descended from a common male ancestor (believed to be Moses Tullis of New Jersey and Berkeley Co, Virginia).
Determine whether the descendants of Moses Tullis and the descendants of William Tullis, both of New Jersey, share a common male ancestor (believed to be Robert Tullis of New Jersey).
Determine whether the descendants of Claudius/Cloud Tullos of Virginia and the descendants of Robert Tullis of New Jersey share a common (unknown) male ancestor.
Determine whether the descendants of either Claudius/Cloud Tullos or Robert Tullis share a common male ancestor with a Tullis whose origins are known to be in Scotland.
Participation in the project is very simple. Here's what you do:
Join the Tullis Surname Project on the FamilyTreeDNA site.
Order a test kit. We recommend the "Y-DNA-12" or 12-marker test, which costs $99. (Note that this is a discounted price for participants in the surname project. Normal price is $159.)
When you receive your test kit, you will use the enclosed swabs to take two samples from inside your mouth. It's very simple-- like brushing the inside of your cheeks. See a photo of the test kit.
Mail the test kit back to Family Tree DNA in the mailer enclosed with the kit.
They will then analyze the samples and notify you when the results are available, including any matches to others in the database.
This project is just starting, so we don't have any results to post from it yet. As we do, they will be posted here.
Questions? Contact TomTullis@aol.com.
This page last updated 4/16/2004.
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