Researchers Seek DNA Link to Lost Colony

WRAL & AP ^ | June 11, 2007

[RegulatorCountry]

They're still finding remnants of legendary Spanish forts in surprising parts of NC, like near a town named "Old Fort." There may very well be truth to many of the old claims of the unique, triracial isolate groups of NC, such as Lumbee and Melungeon. Meanwhile, here's a really pretty pic of Banks ponies, lol:

[blam]

DNA is set to deliver some very intersting suprises in many areas...some will be shocking, I'll bet.

I've already had one suprise by having my DNA analyzed. I traced my mtDNA (female) to an obscure Sa'ami tribe (Skoat) on the Kola Penesula(sp) and only 400 people alive today speak the Skoat Sa'ami language. They are in haplogroup 'V' and are so unique that they are described as the 'Sa'ami motif'. Benjamin Franklin was in haplogroup 'V' too.

My question is how did a Skoat Sa'ami become a Southeast Alabama farm girl (my mother)?

[muawiyah]

The early authorities in Jamestown pretty well knew the difference. They were in the business of bringing in all sorts of Europeans themselves.

I don't believe at that time that Jamestown and its various plantations had more than 5,000 people. Hence my surprise at the 20,000 head count.

[colorado tanker]

Ping.

[blam]

"Ping."

Thanks. See my post #22.

[Radix]

Please pardon my ignorance.

I was in Virginia a few years ago, and there was some info about a colony of about 400 that vanished, and years later traces showed up of their presence.

It was along the James River, and it was all quite fascinating, but my time there and then was limited.

I think that it was near Williamsburg, but I forget now because I try to get to the area every year and things in my memory sometimes get mixed up.

Is this about that same group?

[muawiyah]

Cold winters!

Blam, have you been watching "Most Dangerous Catch"? Check the small guys on deck who work in the cold without gloves (except when handling gear).

Also, that survival deal where the fellow fell into the water and the other boat went over and picked him up ~ he didn't have on a water tight wet suit ~ most folks would DIE within a couple of minutes in that water.

You are watching Sa'ami and Eskimos in action. A couple of times they had some Aleutian Island Russians involved ~ and they are equally hardy.

On the other end we find folks like Kevin Sorbo ~ much bigger guy ~ same race, different tribe. Then there's Reese Witherspoon.

[RegulatorCountry]

It was along the James River, and it was all quite fascinating, but my time there and then was limited.

You're thinking of James Cittie, which literally vanished, the physical settlement itself, since it was built on swampy land. The colonists didn't vanish, though, because I'm descended from one in my paternal grandmother's line.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Well! Interesting indeed! But I hope it’s not costing too much moola to do the research.

[muawiyah]

I think you are pointing to the Spanish mission at Hopewell. Some sources indicate that Squanto went to school there. Other sources have him never showing up in Virginia. He was Captain John Smith's Indian agent. Other early residents of Jamestown came directly from the Spanish Hopewell mission due to fear of Indian attacks.

Anyway, the found the remains of the Hopewell site about ten years ago. More recently they located the remains of the earliest part of the Jamestown settlement. It was right at the riverbank, and some of it had washed away.

The oldest known settlement in the vicinity of Jamestown is that of a French Huguenot known as Jean Bo who'd settled there circa 1598 (which, BTW, is pretty consistent with the Hardin family tradition that one of the brothers went South to Virginia in 1598). The archaologists found his house. It had been made of wattle and daub. He'd plastered it with gravel to protect it from such things as Indian fire arrows, hail and depredation by bears, wolves and other critters.

All that's left is an outline of the foundation. Right around the outer perimeter is a band of gravel which fell off into the mud when his house was burned down or rotted out. This is all referenced in the Martin's Hundred book.

[BenLurkin]

Interesting!

[colorado tanker]

My question is how did a Skoat Sa'ami become a Southeast Alabama farm girl (my mother)?

An Englishman working in the Muscovy Company trade through Archangel took a local girl who turned out to be a Saami as his bride, and descedants later emigrated to America??? Just a SWAG.

[pandoraou812]

interesting ping ~P~

[blam]

"Blam, have you been watching "Most Dangerous Catch"?"

I think so. Is that the one where they work mainly out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska and do the crabbing? That's one of my favorites...for some reason, lol.

[America needs to wakeup]

"One of my favorite archaeological mysteries!"

I read they died from starvation during a severe drought.

For what it's worth.

[varina davis]

blam, that is just fascinating! Please tell us more.

[varina davis]

Sorry. Here is a working link (I hope):

http://www.pilotonline.com

[America needs to wakeup]

Oh and here is the link to the article.

http://www.unc.edu/depts/cmse/science/droughts.html

Enjoy!

[blam]

"An Englishman working in the Muscovy Company trade through Archangel took a local girl who turned out to be a Saami as his bride, and descedants later emigrated to America??? Just a SWAG."

As good a guess as any...I think the DNA will eventually reveal all though.

BTW, my dad's Y-chromosome DNA is R1b as are 90% of the Irish and 68% of all other Europeans. It is the most widespread male DNA in all of Europe. The most widespread mtDNA (female) in Europe is haplogroup 'H' (Helena), same as my son's mother. He has the most common European DNA in the family, 'R1b' from me and 'H' from his mother.

I had my DNA tested through the National Geographic Genographic Project and they're constantly doing on-line updates on my DNA lineages. It's exciting.

[Fudd Fan]

No, no... New Jerseyans want the governor to go away.