The Pollock Twins Reincarnation Case
Two sisters died in an accident. Their parents later had twin girls who seemed to remember the dead sisters' lives. A famous case study in reincarnation research.
The Pollock twins case is one of the most studied examples of alleged reincarnation in Western research. After two sisters died in 1957, their parents’ subsequent twin daughters appeared to have memories and characteristics of the deceased children.
The Tragedy
According to documented research:
On May 5, 1957, in Hexham, England:
- Joanna Pollock (11) and Jacqueline Pollock (6) were walking to church
- A car struck and killed both girls
- Their parents, John and Florence Pollock, were devastated
The Twins
John Pollock believed in reincarnation and became convinced his daughters would return. In 1958, Florence gave birth to twins:
- Jennifer and Gillian Pollock
- Born October 4, 1958
- Jennifer had birthmarks matching Jacqueline’s: a white line on her forehead (where Jacqueline had a scar) and a birthmark on her waist
The Evidence
As the twins grew, unusual things happened:
Recognition of Toys:
- Shown dolls that belonged to the deceased sisters
- The twins correctly named them without being told
- They knew which doll belonged to which sister
Locations:
- The family moved away from Hexham when the twins were infants
- Returning years later, the twins recognized locations
- They identified their sisters’ school without ever seeing it
- They pointed out places they “knew”
Behavioral Traits:
- Gillian was dominant over Jennifer (as Joanna had been over Jacqueline)
- Jennifer had a similar personality to Jacqueline
- Jennifer depended on Gillian as Jacqueline had depended on Joanna
Fear of Cars:
- Both twins had intense fear of cars
- They would scream when cars approached
- This fear gradually faded around age 5
The Research
Dr. Ian Stevenson, a psychiatrist specializing in reincarnation research, investigated:
- He documented the case extensively
- Found the parents credible
- Noted the specificity of birthmarks and recognitions
- Included it in his major works
Skeptical Views
Critics note:
- The father’s strong belief in reincarnation might have influenced perceptions
- Leading questions could have created false memories
- The twins may have overheard information
- Memory is unreliable
The Twins Today
The Pollock twins grew up and reportedly:
- Lost the “memories” by age 5-7 (common in alleged reincarnation cases)
- Led normal lives
- One twin has spoken publicly about the case
Significance
The Pollock case is significant because:
- It occurred in the West (most documented reincarnation cases are from Asian cultures)
- Physical birthmarks matched the deceased
- The researcher was a respected academic
- The case was extensively documented
Whether reincarnation, coincidence, or parental influence, the case remains a touchstone in the study of past-life memories.