Category Archives: History

Melungeon Myth of Drake Dropping Off Passengers on Roanoke Island

This article was written by Janet Crain and originally published in the Lost Colony Research Group Newsletter in August, 2012.  http://www.lostcolonyresearch.org A myth exists on the Internet that the Melungeons, a group of dark skinned persons of mysterious origins found … Continue reading

Posted in History, Lost Colony, Melungeon, North Carolina, Virginia | 2 Comments

The Riven Coffins

This article was written by Roberta Estes and originally published in the Lost Colony Research Group Newsletter in August, 2012. I have attached a short compendium of information about the coffins discovered in Beechland in Tyrrell County, NC.  The one mention … Continue reading

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The Indian Path in Buncombe County

The following short booklet, written by Dr. Gail [Gaillard] Tennent, was privately printed sometime around 1950.  The University of North Carolina at Asheville, specifically the D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections division has attempted to contact the people who would hold the copyright, … Continue reading

Posted in Cherokee, History, North Carolina | Leave a comment

Native and African American Houses – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

This week I was honored to speak at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  These speaking engagements were different than anything I’ve ever participated in.  I’ve done quite a bit of university speaking, but generally conferences.  These events were different because … Continue reading

Posted in Education, History | 2 Comments

Lenny Trujillo: The Journey of You

In the fall of 2010, Lenny Trujillo embarked on a journey unaware that he was going anyplace.  That was the journey to discover himself, his ancestry….and what a journey it has been.  Lenny was unique, very unique. After Lenny’s results … Continue reading

Posted in DNA, Genizaro, History, Pueblo | 4 Comments

The Legend of Cucklemaker, an Indian Chief

In the Bertie County, NC Heritage (1722-2010) book, I found a nice summary of a story that floats around the internet in pieces.  I can’t vouch for accuracy, but I surely thought you might enjoy the story.  It was submitted … Continue reading

Posted in History, Tuscarora | 25 Comments

The Dreaded “Middle East” Autosomal DNA Result

One of our blog followers, Ron, asked this question: “My late father and his brother were born and raised on Hatteras Island which was a very isolated community until relatively recent times. Curious about their genetic ancestry, I had my … Continue reading

Posted in DNA, Hatteras, History, Lost Colony, Slaves | 28 Comments

Walter Plecker’s Target List

Walter Plecker, no matter how you color it, was an evil man.  His actions, for decades, were reprehensible.  He believed he was doing the right thing, but he was not.  He is most remembered for his “Racial Integrity Act of … Continue reading

Posted in History, Laws | 22 Comments

The Legend of Batz Grave

Fletcher Freeman, a long time researcher focused on the records of the Albemarle Sound region of North Carolina and Virginia, particularly the Chowan, has contributed numerous articles over the years to the Lost Colony Research Group, many of which have been … Continue reading

Posted in Chowan, History, Kickapoo, North Carolina, Pamunkey | 1 Comment

Scotch Irish Influence on Native Names

We all know that the Scotch-Irish immigrated to the colonies, and then the States, in droves, spurred by warfare and famine.  Many times these most hearty of pioneers settled on the frontiers as they did in Pennsylvania, then the Shenandoah … Continue reading

Posted in History | 2 Comments