Roberta Estes

Roberta Estes has been a professional scientist and business owner in the information technology arena for 25+ years and a genealogist since 1978.  In 2005, reflecting her interest and expertise in genomics, genetics for genealogy, she formed DNAeXplain, a company providing individual analysis of DNA results and genealogical assistance.

Roberta speaks publicly on the topic of DNA and genealogy and has been interviewed by the New York Times for multiple publications, appearing on Voice of America, National Public Radio, ABC News, TACC9-TV “Down East Today”, as well as in other national and international radio, television and news publications and conferences.  Recently, Roberta has become the Director of DNA Research for the Lost Colony Center for Science and Research in Williamston, NC, www.Lost-Colony.com, and is spearheading the DNA search for the Roanoke Lost Colonists.

Her genealogy specialty is southern colonial records, focused primarily in Virginia, Tennessee and NC.  Minority records, reflecting her mixed heritage are of particular interest, specifically Native Americans, slaves, and other indentured individuals. 

In 2000, thanks to FamilyTreeDNA, the infant scientific field of DNA for genealogy emerged, allowing DNA to be used to trace individuals to common ancestors.  With traditional genealogical records already researched to no avail, and several brick walls needing to fall, Roberta was one of the early DNA surname administrators and pioneer adopters of DNA analysis for genealogy.  

Roberta manages over 20 surname projects and is the founder of the Lost Colony Yline and mitochondrial DNA research projects.  Her regional Cumberland Gap Yline and mitochondrial DNA projects have several hundred participants and the yline project is the third largest DNA project in the world, sporting over 1000 participants.  She also co-administers the American Indian project and serves in an advisory capacity for other projects and groups.