Author Archives: Roberta Estes

About Roberta Estes

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

The Tuscarora and the Revolutionary War

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Roberta Estes

Wherever the Tuscarora found themselves, it seems that trouble was just around the corner. Not long after many of the Tuscarora had relocated from North Carolina to New York, sponsored by the Oneida tribe, the Revolutionary War was upon them … Continue reading →

Posted in Tuscarora | 5 Comments

1869 Cherokee West Census Interesting Transitional Names

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Roberta Estes

I have, finally, finished my work with the 1869 Cherokee Census West. As I worked with these records for so many weeks, I felt like in many ways I came to know the people, to recognize their family members. I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherokee, Names | 11 Comments

Eastern and Western Siouian Tribes and the White Buffalo Legend

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Roberta Estes

These past several days, as I’ve been working with the western Siouian tribes and the White Buffalo (Calf) Legend, it occurred to me that during my work with the history of the Eastern Siouian tribes, that I had never heard of … Continue reading →

Posted in Siouian, White Buffalo | 1 Comment

The Associated Press Reports on Melungeons: A Multi-Ethnic People

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Roberta Estes

In its own way, the Melungeon paper has gone viral, something very unusual for an academic paper. We’ve received notes today from as far away as Australia and someone told us they say it on Fox News today. The AP picked … Continue reading →

Posted in Melungeon | 3 Comments

Chief Pontiac

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Roberta Estes

Did you grow up thinking of a car when you heard the word Pontiac? I surely did. We had several. However, I vividly remember the profile on the logo on the car of an Indian. I came across the Pontiac … Continue reading →

Posted in Chippewa, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Peoria, Potawatomi | 4 Comments

1869 Cherokee West Census Native Language Names

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Roberta Estes

I wasn’t quite certain what to do with the list of Native language names in the 1869 Cherokee West census. I have not included them in the Native Names project because they are not a surname that someone would hunt … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherokee, Names | 2 Comments

Mi’kmaq Portraits Collection from the Nova Scotia Museum

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Roberta Estes

Thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers, the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia called themselves L’nu’k, which simply means ‘the people,’ ‘human beings.’ Their present name, Mi’kmaq, derives from nikmaq, meaning ‘my kin-friends.’ Their descendants are still living in the area … Continue reading →

Posted in Micmac | 8 Comments

John Two Guns White Calf

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Roberta Estes

John Two Guns White Calf (1872-1934), shown above, may indeed be memorialized in a way few other Native Americans have been – on a piece of American money – the buffalo nickel to be specific. But then again….maybe not….there is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackfoot, History | 77 Comments

Chief White Calf – Blackfoot – Died in Washington DC in 1903

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Roberta Estes

Chief White Calf – 1873 While working with the Carlisle student records, I came across Helen White Calf, an Arickara from North Dakota. Having spent many years on the powwow circuit, I was certainly aware of the White Buffalo story, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackfoot | 1 Comment

White Buffalo (Calf) Prophecy

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Roberta Estes

The white buffalo calf holds special significance to American Indians- especially the Oceti Sakowin (The People of the Seven Council Fires, also known as the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota, or the ‘Sioux’). As it is a crucial part of the teachings and … Continue reading →