Author Archives: Roberta Estes

About Roberta Estes

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

Norfolk County Virginia Indian Certificates

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Roberta Estes

From 1833-1850, Norfolk County, Virginia granted certificates to “the descendants of indians and other persons of mixed blood, who are not free negroes or mulattoes, in like manner as certificates of freedom are granted to free negroes and mulattoes, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Virginia | 1 Comment

Humphrey, An Indian Boy

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Roberta Estes

Magazine Va Gen Soc (VGS) Vol 35 #1 (1997), Pg 78 Henrico Co., VA Record Book 2, 1678-1693, orders and wills August Session 1687 Humphrey an Indian boy belonging to Mr John Cock being by his Sd Master brought before this … Continue reading →

Posted in Virginia | 1 Comment

Some Native Americans Had Oceanic Ancestors

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Roberta Estes

This week has seen a flurry of new scientific and news articles. What has been causing such a stir? It appears that Australian or more accurately, Australo-Melanese DNA has been found in South America’s Native American population. In addition, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal, Alaska Natives, Aleut, Algonquian, Anzick, Archaic Indians, Asia, Athabaskan, Australia, Canada, Chippewa, Clovis, Cree, Denisova, Education, First Nation, History, Kennewick Man, Lake Baikal, Mexico, Micmac, Migration, Montana, Neanderthal, Ojibwa, Origins, Research, South America, Tsimshian | 3 Comments

Among the Cherokee in Flint District in 1872

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Roberta Estes

I found this article quite interesting, written by someone settled among the Cherokee in the Flint District of Indian Territory in1872. It tells us about their lives and how they lived. I also find it interesting that the author mentions … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherokee | 11 Comments

Kennewick Man is Native American

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Roberta Estes

Finally, an answer, after almost 20 years and very nearly losing the opportunity of ever knowing. Today, in Nature, a team of scientists released information about the full genomic sequencing of Kennewick Man who was discovered in 1996 in Washington state. … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthropology, Anzick, Chippewa, Colville, DNA, Kennewick Man | Leave a comment

How Much Indian Do I Have In Me???

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Roberta Estes

I can’t believe how often I receive this question. Here’s today’s version from Patrick. “My mother had 1/8 Indian and my grandmother on my father’s side was 3/4, and my grandfather on my father’s side had 2/3. How much would … Continue reading →

Posted in DNA | 8 Comments

Isaac, An Indian Slave

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Roberta Estes

(1768) – “ISAAC, an Indian slave, aged about 40 years, run away from my plantation on George’s creek, in Buckingham, last Easter was twelve months. He was born and lived many years on the BROOK of CHICKAHOMINY, and has some … Continue reading →

Posted in Virginia | 3 Comments

Are You Native? – Native American Haplogroup Origins and Ancestral Origins

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Roberta Estes

At Family Tree DNA, having Haplogroup Origins and Ancestral Origins indicating Native American ancestry does not necessarily mean you are Native American or have Native American heritage. This is a very pervasive myth that needs to be dispelled – although it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in DNA | 8 Comments

Butler Owens Confederate Pension Record

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Roberta Estes

One of our subscribers was looking at the new 1901 Confederate Pension Applications on Digital North Carolina and found an application for Butler Owens in which he states he is part Indian and part white. He apparently joined the Confederate … Continue reading →

Posted in Confederate, Military, North Carolina | 3 Comments

James Whitehurst, Indian, Princess Anne County, VA

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Roberta Estes

Princess Anne County Personal Property Tax List 1782-1789 Library of Virginia microfilm no. 291 1784 – James Whitehurst (Indian) 1 tithe In 1786 James Whitehurst is listed as a mulatto with his son, Henry also. There are several other Whitehursts … Continue reading →

Posted in Virginia | 2 Comments