Genealogy and DNA Projects
Many members come to Clan Jack with questions about their Jack ancestry. The Society supports genealogical and DNA-based approaches that help individuals understand how their family fits into the wider Jack story.
Genealogical research
Traditional genealogy remains the foundation of our work. This includes parish registers, civil records, census entries, land documents, wills and family papers. Members are encouraged to document their lines carefully and to cite sources.
DNA testing
DNA testing can help to confirm relationships and identify links between Jack families in different countries. The main tools we use are:
- Autosomal DNA tests (for example Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA)
- Y-DNA tests for males with the Jack surname, which can help track paternal lines
- Mitochondrial DNA tests for maternal lines
DNA results do not replace records. They sit alongside documentary research and help us to build a more complete picture.
Members who are considering DNA testing or who already have results and would like help interpreting them can contact the Society for guidance through our liaison officers.
Main areas of Scottish settlement being studied
- Avoch – this area is interesting and, being fishermen, many Jacks from here likely travelled by sea around the north eastern coast, with families settling in Elgin, Cullen and Portsoy, my ancestors’ home.
- Fife – I have traced a Fife Jack family back to a David Jack, born 1759 in Balmerino, Fife. Many of the descendants are still in Fife or the surrounding areas today.
- Dunkeld – a Thomas Jack is buried in the centre of Dunkeld Cathedral, a very interesting and prominent position.
- Alyth – Jacobite Thomas Jack’s son Thomas is buried here. See over.
- Elgin – James Jack (Fletcher) was born here, owner of Rosehaugh Estate, Avoch. Another Jacobite, William Jack, was also born here. After Culloden, William was transported to Tilbury Fort then on to Barbados. Below is a copy of a letter he wrote.
Letter from William Jack, 17 March 1747
"Gentlemen, This comes to acquaint you, that I was eight months and eight days at sea, of which time, I was eight weeks upon half a pound and twelve ounces oat-meal, and a bottle of water in the twenty-four hours, which was obliged to make meal and water in the bottom of an old bottle. There was one hundred and twenty-five put on board at Inverness, on the James and Mary of Fife. In the latter end of June, we was put on board of a transport of four hundred and fifty ton, called the Liberty and Property, in which we continued the rest of the eight months, upon twelve ounces of oat sheelin as it came from the mill.
There was thirty-two prisoners more put on board of the said Liberty and Property, which makes one hundred and fifty-seven: and when we came ashore, there was only in life forty-nine, which would been no great surprise if there had not been one, conform to our usage. They would taken us from the hold in a rope, and hoisted us up to the yard-arm, and let us fall in the sea in order for ducking of us; and tying us to the mast and whipping us if we did any thing, however innocent, that offended them: this was done to us when we was not able to stand.
I will leave it to the readers to judge, what condition they might be in themselves with the above treatment. We had neither bed nor bed-clothes, nor clothes to keep us warm in the day time. The ship's ballast was black earth and small stones, which we was obliged to dig holes to lie in to keep us warm, till the first of November last, that every man got about three yards of gross ham filled up with straw, but no bed-clothes. I will not trouble you no more till I see you.
There is none in life that went from Elgin with me, but William Innes in Fochabers; James Brander, in Condloch, died seven months ago; Alexander Frigge died in Cromarty Road; John Kintrea, that lived in Longbride, died also. Mr James Falconar is well, and remains on board of a ship, called the James and Mary, lying off Tilbury Fort. I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant,
(Signed) Will. Jack."
"Tilbury Fort, March 17th, 1747."
Source: Jacobite Memoirs of the Rebellion of 1745 by Right Rev. Robert Forbes
Chapter: Barbarities After the Battle of Culloden
Page 299
