The Pollard One-Name Study began as a surname DNA project at Family Tree DNA. Administration of that effort transitioned as of 24 May 2018, and the broader study was registered under the aegis of the Guild shortly thereafter. It is a work in progress, and we hope to add to it steadily over the coming months.

The Study is a global initiative that aims to research the genealogies, histories, and demographics of all persons with the surname Pollard and variant spellings. It is not time-bounded and will continue indefinitely to add to the body of knowledge about the origins, history, ancestors, and descendants of related family lines.

Our purpose is:

• To improve understanding of the history and origins of the Pollard surname and its common variants
• To identify and categorize surname variants, and to prove or disprove unique or shared lineage and history among the various surnames
• To reconstruct/document the genealogy of lines bearing the surname
• To analyze patterns of immigration and emigration
• To model the distribution of Pollard families in geography and time
• To store and make available to researchers select core genealogical datasets; electronic images or transcriptions of source materials; pertinent data derived from the sister Pollard Surname DNA Project; and related compilations, analyses, and narratives