Author Archives: Roberta Estes

About Roberta Estes

Scientist, author, genetic genealogist. Documenting Native Heritage through contemporaneous records and DNA.

Cherokee Song of the Smokies

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Roberta Estes

This YouTube video just makes my heart feel good. My people are from the Smokies, so far up the hollers that you can see someone coming for 2 miles or so and they cross 3 county and 2 state lines … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherokee | 3 Comments

Are the First Depictions of Native Americans in the Vatican?

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Roberta Estes

Christopher Columbus made landfall in 1492 – we all know that – and “discovered” the North American continent. His voyage was financed by Ferninand and Isabella, the Spanish King and Queen. He returned in March of 1493 and turned over … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Christopher Columbus, History | Leave a comment

Georgia Land Lotteries – Gold Grabbing

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Roberta Estes

Georgia Cherokee lands in 1830 The Georgia Land Lotteries which spanned from 1805 to 1833 were one of the largest land grabs in eastern US, certainly the largest having to do with the 5 Civilized Tribes. In Georgia, this land belonged … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherokee, Creek | 2 Comments

The Mouthbow – Making Music on a Weapon

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Roberta Estes

Obu man playing the mouthbow Do you know what a mouthbow is? It’s believed to be the oldest stringed instrument in the world. It’s found in many indigenous cultures around the world. A French cave painting about 15,000 years old … Continue reading →

Posted in Cree | 2 Comments

Jeddore

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Roberta Estes

Sometimes a surname is associated exclusively with Native people. When you see that surname, you immediately know where it, and the family, came from. This is the case with the Jeddore surname. Jeddore is a L’nu (Mi’kmaq) surname, that has also … Continue reading →

Posted in Micmac | Leave a comment

James Manly, an Indian born at Edenton

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Roberta Estes

State of North Carolina, Craven County } To the Worshipfull, the Justices of Craven County The Petition of James Manly an Indian humbly represents to your Honor that he was free born at Edenton and that he never has been … Continue reading →

Posted in North Carolina | 2 Comments

The French and the Indians

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Roberta Estes

Have you ever wondered why so many Indians carry French surnames? This is the case all across the US and Canada, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, literally, but very pronounced from New York through the northern Plains states and … Continue reading →

Posted in French | Leave a comment

Red Fox James, Blackfoot, Indian Advocate

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Roberta Estes

Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. On Dec. 14, 1915, he presented the endorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. There is no record, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackfoot | 6 Comments

The Indians of Lawrence Co., PA

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Roberta Estes

Sometimes old history books, especially those published in the 1800s whose authors had access to people who memories extended back into the previous century can be goldmines. While researching the Scotch-Irish in Lawrence County, PA, I found the following information about … Continue reading →

Posted in Allegewi, Cat Nation, Cornplanter, Delaware, Erie, Eriehronon, Iroquois, Lenape, Lenni Lenape, Mengwe, Mingoes, Mound Builders, Seneca, Shawnee, Six Nations, Wyandot | 8 Comments

Announcing the Native American Haplogroup C DNA Project

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Roberta Estes

Marie Rundquist and I would like to announce the formation of the Native American Haplogroup C project, titled Y-DNA Haplogroup C-P39 Project. Native American males who descend from direct paternal ancestors who crossed the Bering land bridge from Asia some … Continue reading →

Posted in Acadian, DNA | Leave a comment