This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RoyEKillgore_1 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.kilgore/938.3.2.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: "Origin & History of the Ancient Name Kilgour" is an historical narrative and while it does get into genealogical discussion of the earliest Kilgour's as part of the title subject, it will be of no value to family genealogists searching from about 1700 forward. You will learn from "Origins" that there is a very high probability that Kilgour's have common ancestral roots. Common ancestral roots are possible to refine through Y Chromosome DNA research since the Y chromosome is transfered through males only from generation to generation. There are a number of markers that the scientific community have identified, called alleles, that are of particular value in genealogical work. These alleles are, from what I understand, repeating sequences of DNA linked in a chain and periodically they will be interrupted. The number of times the sequence is repeated without interruption is the number that identfies that person. Using about 37 of these types of markers (alleles) one person can be identified from another. If there is a perfect match and the surname is the same or a variant thereof, the probability of having a common ancestor is over 99 percent. If there is a mutation of one of the markers, or in polite terms, a mismatch, of one marker then the person is said to be at a genetic distance of one. There could be up to 4 or 5 mismatchs and still hav! e a common ancestor within 24 generations of over 99 percent probability. If the number of mismatchs is over 5 it would be good to test again at the 67 marker level and if the number of mismatchs remains the same the probability goes up at all levels meaning increased probability of a common ancestor at 4,8,12,16,20, or 24 generations. The fact that you have reached a road block means you need to jog around the road block and perhaps move ahead and then look back. I would recommend finding a living male descendant of any of the Kilgore's you mentioned and get them to participate in the Kilgore Project at Family Tree DNA. You may find a very close connection to one of the branches participating in the program. I found out just exactly what I suspected since our family is genealogically well documented though not complete. We are not connected to any of the participants in this country. BUT, we are connected to all of them beyond these shores at some point and the ultimate point is 20-24 generations and ultimately in Scotland. If you have already done the above, then you have a genuine records deficiency and a major headache and you need a little luck for sure! If you do not know any living Kilgore's in your family try going back to your earliest known Kilgore and come forward on the other male lines until you find someone. The Y chromosome DNA route is not a substitute for standard genealogical information but it might help you open up new avenues to resources. Sorry to be so long. I hope these comments are helpful. Roy E. Killgore Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.