Author Archives: Roberta Estes

About Roberta Estes

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

Oto Indians

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Roberta Estes

Once again, the Carlisle records provided the name of a tribe I hadn’t seen before, the Oto Indians. The painting above by Karl Bodmer shows the Missouri, the Oto and the Chief of the Puncas (Ponca) circa 1840-1843. The Otoe, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Ho-Chunk, Ioway, Kaw, Missouria, Omaha, Osage, Otoe, Ponca, Sac and Fox, Winnebago | 7 Comments

Freedom Suits in Virginia

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Roberta Estes

The current exhibit at the Library of Virginia, “You have no Right: Law and Justice in Virginia” delves into the issue of Indian slavery in Virginia, both legal and illegal. Many Native people were wrongfully enslaved. They and their descendants … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Slaves, Virginia | Leave a comment

The Chitimacha

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Roberta Estes

I ran across another tribe while transcribing the Carlisle Indian School student records that I wasn’t familiar with. Adrian Depremont was listed as a Chitimac. Having never heard of this tribe before, I turned to my friend, Google, and discovered … Continue reading →

Posted in Chitimacha | 4 Comments

Lapwai

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Roberta Estes

When transcribing the Carlisle records, I came across a tribal designation I wasn’t familiar with, the Lapwai. Who were the Lapwai? The Lapwai were part of the Nez Perce who lived in Idaho. Today, the city of Lapwai, Idaho is the center of … Continue reading →

Posted in Lapwai, Nez Perce | Leave a comment

Birth Date not Known

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Roberta Estes

As I work my way thorough the draft registrations in Kansas, there are several registrants who only have Native names, meaning names in the Native language and no English names. For example, there is a John Nag-Mo, except he signs his … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Kansas, Potawatomi | 1 Comment

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation of Kansas

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Roberta Estes

I’m working on the last few states of the WWI Draft registrations for the Native Names project. Today, I’m in Kansas. I’ve noticed a couple of quite interesting things. There are a lot of registrations, but many, probably about half, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Kansas, Michigan, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Potawatomi | 1 Comment

X Marks the Spot

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Roberta Estes

When using autosomal DNA for genetic genealogy, the X chromosome is a powerful tool with special inheritance properties. Many people think that mitochondrial DNA is the same as the X chromosome. It’s not. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited maternally, only. This … Continue reading →

Posted in DNA | 3 Comments

Tuscarora Names Extracted

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Roberta Estes

One of our blog followers has extracted the names of a number of Tuscarora for thier own use and has submitted the list for our blog readers. A big hat tip to our benefactor. In my Native Names project, I am only including names that … Continue reading →

Posted in Tuscarora | Leave a comment

Red Coated Chiefs of the Shawnee

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Roberta Estes

Fletcher Freeman has once again graced us with his research. Thank you Fletcher! By Fletcher Freeman In my research on the Shawnee Indians I have run across an interesting “Coincidence” spanning 75 years that I have not seen in … Continue reading →

Posted in Shawnee | 9 Comments

Panics

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Roberta Estes

Why were the Europeans so intent upon “civilizing” the Native people, which is a politically correct word for destroying their existing cultures and way of life? One answer lies in the fact that they feared the Indians. Beginning in 1622 … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Jamestown, Powhatan, Tuscarora | Leave a comment