Author Archives: Roberta Estes

About Roberta Estes

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

John White Map Chowan Fort Discovery – Analysis

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Roberta Estes

First I’d like to congratulate Brent Lane with the First Colony Foundation for his keen eye in spotting the anomaly on John White’s map drawn of “Virginia” in 1585-1586 and the British Museum for their fine detective work. The Museum analyzed … Continue reading →

Posted in Chowan, Hatteras, Tuscarora | 2 Comments

Sir Walter Raleigh’s Lost Fort Found?

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Roberta Estes

For those familiar with the Lost Colony mystery and saga, you’ll know that the location of the final destination of the colonists has been debated for literally centuries. You can read more about the background at the website http://www.lostcolonyresearch.org. In … Continue reading →

Posted in History, North Carolina, Virginia | 1 Comment

The Mystery Surrounding Chocolate

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Roberta Estes

I have seen this surname before. In my own family research, I found people in the census with this last name listed intermittently as mulatto. Mostly, I found two things interesting about that. First, that their race was intermittently listed … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherokee, Names | 1 Comment

Jolly Albert

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Roberta Estes

One of the unpublished census records is the 1869 census of the Cherokee Nation West. This census holds a great deal of information. The Cherokee Nation West is present day Oklahoma. The only people who were supposed to be there … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherokee, Names | Leave a comment

Liver and Return

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Roberta Estes

No, this isn’t a joke about Pete and Repeat. Liver and Return are actual first names of two men in the Cah-yar-nee family in 1869 in the Cherokee West Census. Yes, really! Not only that, they are the only two … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherokee, Names | 1 Comment

Martin Buzzard-Flopper

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Roberta Estes

Martin Buzzard-Flopper was listed on the 1869 Cherokee West Census. There were several Buzzards, but only one Buzzard-Flopper. In his household were 1 woman, 4 male children and 2 female children. What, exactly, was a Buzzard-Flopper? I can see a practical … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherokee, Names | 10 Comments

Nicholas Cusick – Revolutionary War Patriot, Sachem, Tuscarora Chief

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Roberta Estes

In 1776, there were an estimated 1,810 Indian warriors living in New York. Of them, 230 were friendly to the Americans, the remaining 1,580 had chosen to side with the British. In contrast to the federal government, New York exempted … Continue reading →

Posted in Tuscarora | 6 Comments

What is a Johnnycake?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Roberta Estes

In the 1869 Cherokee West census, there are several families with the surname Johnnycake. This makes me wonder, what, exactly, is a Johnnycake and what is the history of the food? Some think these fried cornmeal cakes were originally called … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherokee, Food | 3 Comments

Brafferton School Student List

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Roberta Estes

I’ve been trying to find some way to obtain a copy of the thesis, So Good a Work: The Brafferton School, unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, 1988, Department of History, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia by Karen Stuart. This document … Continue reading →

Posted in Chickahominy, Meherrin, Nansemond, Nottoway, Pamunkey, Saponi | 15 Comments

The Mandan

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Roberta Estes

1832 painting of Mandan girl, Shakoka, by George Caitlin. The Mandan are arguably one of the most interesting of the Native tribes, in part, because of the persistent belief by some that they are not entirely Native….and haven’t been since … Continue reading →

Posted in Mandan | 10 Comments