For my final project I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to do. I’ve been brainstorming but I am still at a loss for good ideas. So far I have two potential audiences, TCU history majors or historians/Roanoke researchers. For the TCU history majors I was thinking of doing a three sided poster and have my theory in the middle and the others on the side. For the historians/Roanoke researchers I was thinking of doing a newspaper or magazine article.

For years people have been trying to uncover the mystery of the colony of Roanoke. Researchers and historians have been working hard to figure out what really happened to those people so long ago and everyone wonders if there will ever be an accurate explanation of what happened. There are several theories attributed to the disappearance of the colony of Roanoke. Because there is no definite explanation for this missing piece of history one is forced to draw his or her own conclusion based on information provided on findings and research. Upon researching the lost colony of Roanoke I not only found background information but stumbled across several different theories that could quite possibly be the cause of the disappearance. Researchers tell themselves that maybe the colonists were captured or they died from disease or maybe were even doomed for failure from the beginning. After carefully gathering information and analyzing each possible cause I pieced together my own assumptions of what happened at Roanoke.

            It all began in 1854 when two Englishmen, Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe, were sent by Sir Walter Raleigh to scout out a good area to place the settlement. In a year’s time the two explorers journeyed back to England with two natives and high hopes for Roanoke Island.  Impressed with the stories and ideas of the New World, Queen Elizabeth gave Raleigh permission to take settlers and establish the first English Colony on Roanoke Island (Hausev). It was 1585 when the hundred English settlers set foot on the island. The founding of Roanoke came 22 years before Jamestown and 37 years before the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts (Hausev).  

Ralph Lane was the one who directed the first attempt at a permanent settlement but things went badly so in 1586 he took everyone and they left Roanoke (Hausev). Shortly after a supply ship led by Sir Francis Drake discovered the abandoned area and he left fifteen of his men there while he returned to England to get more. One hundred and seventeen men, women and children, governed by John White, returned to Roanoke Island to try establishing a settlement once again (Hausev).  It was 1587 when they arrived they found out that the fifteen men left behind had been murdered. Although reluctant to stay everyone began unpacking. Realizing there was a supply shortage White decided to return to England to get the things they needed (Hausev). Because of the war with the Spanish White was unable to return to Roanoke with supplies for two years. He finally returned in 1590 to find the colony deserted and the word “Croatoan” carved in a nearby tree (Hausev).  

So far there are several theories that could explain the cause of the civilization disappearance. Each theory has its own aspects making it a believable idea but there is not a specific theory that one could say is one hundred percent accurate. Currently there is not enough evidence to prove one theory over another.

            According to Hausev the colony “was doomed from the beginning” under the direction of Lane because it was too late in the season to plant crops and their supplies were quickly being used up. Also, Lane isolated the colonists from the surrounding Indians and murdered their chief over a small item (Hausev). With those events considered it probably set the stage for trouble. If they did run into trouble the natural thing for them to do would be to move away. Some researchers say that the colonists moved up north toward the Chesapeake Bay and “intermingled with American Indians” and eventually joined them to get away and have protection (Ewen and Shields).

            Another theory suggests that the colonists died of illness or a natural disaster.  It is thought by some that the colonists came down with some disease or illness because they were new to the area and exposed to things they weren’t used to (Brantley). Maybe a few got sick and it spread quickly claiming the lives of the entire colony before anyone could figure out what was going on. Scientists now believe that the colonists went through a huge drought. Due to their studies of the moisture-sensitive rings on the cypress trees in the area they drew the conclusion that there was a three year drought from 1587-1589 (Brantley).  This drought could have possibly caused the colonists to die of starvation (Brantley).

            The most widely believed theory is the one that assumes the colonists were taken captive by the Croatoans which are known now as the Lumbee tribe (Gudzune). What makes this the most frequently believed theory is the fact that it is the only direct link to the only clue left in the deserted colony. The trees with the etching of the word “Croatoan” are believed to be clues left behind by the colonists before they disappeared without a trace. Some researchers say the Croatoans captured the colonists, forcing them to become a part of their tribe (Gudzune). Others believe that the colonists joined the Croatoans of their own accord because they knew their fate if they stayed alone. The Croatoans were believed to be very friendly people and in a report by White himself he called the Croatoans “our friends” which supports the idea that the colonists knew they were doomed and thought it would be best to live with the Croatoans (Gudzune). 

            Based on the findings of my research I have drawn my own conclusions as to what happened to the colony of Roanoke. I believe the theories are partially true but I have my own idea of what happened. White was the one that left the colonists at Roanoke to return to England for much needed supplies. Since the war with the Spanish kept White from returning for two years the colonists were forced to improvise and survive on their own. I think that they were indeed captured but not by the Croatoans. The colonists had no way of communicating with England once they left so they most likely didn’t know anything about the war against the Spanish. For all they knew things in England were the same as when they left and something had just happened to White on his journey back.  Since there was a Spanish settlement on the coastline in Florida (Clark) perhaps some Spanish soldiers found the colonists. The colonists who did not know about the war and that the Spanish are now their enemy fell into a trap.  Thinking the Spanish meant no harm, the colonists believed they were there to help and welcomed them into the colony not knowing that they were soon to become their captives. Not only did the colonists go missing but their cannons, boats, maps, books, and drawings did as well (Clark).  The disappearance of the information as well as the people and weapons leads me to believe it had something to do with the Spanish military. Any information gathered about the enemy is important intelligence information and would explain why the maps, drawings, and books were taken. The Spanish would have also taken the boats and cannons for their own use.

It all makes sense because from the evidence they did find the colonists left in a hurry and if they were captured by the Spanish they wouldn’t have had time to do anything. If they were victims of natural causes or a disaster then there would be more evidence of the specific cause and there would probably be graves because some would have died before others, not all at once (Brantley). Just because the word “Croatoan” was carved in a nearby tree doesn’t really prove that it was the Colonists trying to leave a note of what happened. It is not an accurate assumption because it could have been carved by a Croatoan before or after the colonists. If they were captured or killed by those natives then how come no bodies were found? Also, if the colonists got tired of waiting for White to come back and just left, they probably would have left a note or something.  Their departure would have been planned and they would have left in a timely manner, not in a hurry (Brantley).  

The colony of Roanoke has been and probably will continue to be a historical mystery for a long time. Each theory holds some validity in certain circumstances but there is no way to be completely certain what happened at Roanoke. Unless new evidence is found or new information is discovered the numerous theories will continue to circulate and people will have to decide what they believe happened on their own.

 It all began in 1854 when two Englishmen, Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe, were sent by Sir Walter Raleigh to scout out a good area to place the settlement. In a year’s time the two explorers journeyed back to England with two natives and high hopes for Roanoke Island.  Impressed with the stories and ideas of the New World, Queen Elizabeth gave Raleigh permission to take settlers and establish the first English Colony on Roanoke Island (Hausev). It was 1585 when the hundred English settlers set foot on the island. The founding of Roanoke came 22 years before Jamestown and 37 years before the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts (Lane).  

Ralph Lane was the one who directed the first attempt at a permanent settlement but things went badly so in 1586 he took everyone and they left Roanoke (Hausev). Shortly after a supply ship led by Sir Francis Drake discovered the abandoned area and he left fifteen of his men there while he returned to England to get more. One hundred and seventeen men, women and children, governed by John White, returned to Roanoke Island to try establishing a settlement once again (Hausev).  It was 1587 when they arrived they found out that the fifteen men left behind had been murdered. Although reluctant to stay everyone began unpacking. Realizing there was a supply shortage White decided to return to England to get the things they needed (Hausev). Because of the war with the Spanish White was unable to return to Roanoke with supplies for two years. He finally returned in 1590 to find the colony deserted and the word “Croatoan” carved in a nearby tree (Hausev).

According to Hausev the colony “was doomed from the beginning” under the direction of Lane because it was too late in the season to plant crops and their supplies were quickly being used up. Also, Lane isolated the colonists from the surrounding Indians and murdered their chief over a small item (Hausev).

***This is as far as I got in my essay so far, I still plan on discussing several theories as well as my own opinion on the issue and then tying it all together. ***

In my paper I first plan on giving general background information about the colony. I am going to give a brief history so that those who are not familiar with the subject will have a basic understanding. Then I plan on discussing a few different theories as to what happened to the colony. I then will present my own theory based on the information I have gathered. At the end I will wrap it all up by tying everything together.

In the Army ROTC program each participating cadet takes the required army physical fitness test, APFT, each month. This test consists of timed push-ups, sit-ups, and two mile run to ensure each cadet remains healthy and in a good physical condition. Normally most of the cadets pass the APFT with no problem because they work out on a daily basis and are used to physical activities. They must attend several physical training, or PT, sessions a week as well work out on their own time. In doing so, the scores on the APFT are usually pretty high and there is a very small number of cadets who do not meet the test standards. The cadre are the people in charge of the cadets and the ones who make the rules and dates of the APFT. Usually, they try to work everything around the majority of the cadets’ schedules to keep things as least stressful as possible. When the cadets start slacking a little and not attending the PT sessions you know that spring break is approaching and is only a week away. That entire week before the break everyone anxiously awaits for their last class to let out. During the break everyone does their own thing and there is a wide variety of things each cadet does. Whether they spend their vacation at the beach, skiing, taking a road trip, working, or just sitting at home they all have one thing in common; they didn’t work out like they needed to. They took advantage of not being forced to work out and go to class meaning they were lazy. This year the cadre decided to have March’s APFT right after spring break because they knew that most cadet probably didn’t do anything over the break. Needless to say they were right, a large number of cadets did not pass the APFT this month. I now understand that the cadre purposely planned it this way to show the cadets how fast you can get out of shape and to emphasize the importance of keeping the routine of your physical fitness. However, although I understand and see their point I still think it was a bad idea. I personally did not enjoy taking the APFT so soon after break and I know I wasn’t the only one.

                In “Roanoke Island: Tranquility & Mystery”,  Linda Aksomitis describes a personal adventure visiting what was once the colony of Roanoke. She takes you step by step what she experienced when she went to Roanoke to get a closer look. Aksomitis’ article appeals to a wide range of readers by presenting information in an informal and personal way. Her purpose was to write an article describing her personal experiences in attempt to gain more information of the lost colony of Roanoke. I believe this article will give new insight and help add a little more personality to my paper.

Brantley, Amy. “What Happened to the Lost Colony at Roanoke?” Associated Content Inc. July 2006. < http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/44970/what_happened_to_the_lost_colony_at_pg2.html?cat=37>.

                In “What Happened to the Lost Colony at Roanoke”, Amy Brantley discusses the lost colony of Roanoke and what could have happened. She starts with a brief background on the history of the colony and then describes a few theories. Her article is for an audience looking for general information and an easy read. Her purpose is to put forth information and describe a few possible theories. This article will be good to back up the argument in my paper.

Clark, Josh. “What happened to the last colony at Roanoke?”  HowStuffWorks.com. 20 March 2009.

< http://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/roanoke-colony.htm>.

In “What happened to the last colony at Roanoke” (20 March 2009), Josh Clark describes nearly every aspect of the colony of Roanoke.  He begins with a brief summary of what happened at Roanoke, moves into presenting detailed background information, and concludes with evidence and theories. This website is meant for those seeking more information about the lost colony of Roanoke. Its purpose is to not only to provide basic information but to provide different analyses and ideas on the issue.  This website will give me information on the history of Roanoke and possible theories necessary to make a valid argument in my paper.

Drysdale, William. “HISTORIC ROANOKE ISLAND; Site of the First English Settlement in America, and Birthplace of Virginia Dare. A Choice Spot Where Sportsmen and Fishermen Are Welcomed and Where the Supply of Game Never Fails.” The New York Times. May 1901.

<http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archivefree/pdf?_r=1&res=9C0DE1DD1139E733A25756C0A9639C946097D6CF>.

In “Historic Roanoke Island”, William Drysdale describes in detail Roanoke as the first English settlement in America. In his article he presents all aspects of the colony and hints at what might have happened. This article is written in a more structured way but reached a large amount of people because it was published in a commonly known newspaper. Although the article was published some time ago its purpose remains the same; to inform those reading about the attempted establishment of the colony of Roanoke. Because this article was written a while ago I would like to compare its contents with the more recent articles to help shape my paper.

Ewen, Dr. Charles R. and Shields Jr, Dr. E. Thomson. “Fact and Fiction: Looking for the Lost Colonists.” Tar Heel Junior Historian 47. Fall 2007: 1-3. North Carolina Museum of History. Office of Archives and History, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. 2007

< http://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/collateral/articles/fact.and.fiction.pdf>.

In “Fact and Fiction: Looking for the Lost Colonists” (Fall 2007), Dr. Ewen and Dr. Thomson address and provide background information on the disappearing colonies of Roanoke.  The article presents the basic information about the sequence of events that occurred at Roanoke as well as some information that people who are unfamiliar with the mystery wouldn’t know. They reveal that there were actually three colonies instead of just one that disappeared. Also, the article presents some common theories on the disappearances. This article was published in a history magazine to educate people on the mystery of Roanoke. It mainly appeals to young adults who are not too familiar with the subject, such as myself. The purpose of this article is to present the known information and theories of Roanoke in order to get closer to solving the mystery.  In my paper this article will be very helpful in providing some of the background information and presenting possible theories on the disappearances.

Funk, David. “The Lost Colony: The Mystery of Roanoke Island.” Associated Content Inc. 2009.

<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/161302/the_lost_colony_the_mystery_of_roanoke.html?cat=37>.

In “The Lost Colony: The Mystery of Roanoke Island”, David Funk presents facts about the lost colony as well as provides possible reasons for why it failed. After giving the basic background he describes possible situations considering different aspects of what happened according to the evidence found. The website is written in an informative way, strictly to provide information with little emphasis.  Funk’s purpose is to simply state what was found at Roanoke and what could have happened to the colony.  This website will help me gain a stronger knowledge of the background as well as provide new ideas for possible theories.

Gudzune, Jeffrey. “Croatoan & Roanoke: A General History of an Enigma.” Native American/First Nations History. September 2006. < http://nativeamericanfirstnationshistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/croatoan_and_the_mystery_of_roanok>.

                In “Croatoan & Roanoke: A General History of an Enigma”, Jeffrey Gudzune argues a specific theory of what he concludes happened to the colony of Roanoke. He believes that the disappearance of the people of Roanoke has to do with the Croatoans. His audience is mainly people who already have a basic understanding of what happened and who have an open mind to what could have happened. Gudzune’s purpose is to make a valid argument about the Croatoan theory. Being specific to a certain theory, this article will be a good reference for this theory.

 Hausev, Eric. “The Lost Colony: Roanoke Island, N.C.” Coastal Guide. 2007

< http://www.coastalguide.com/packet/lostcolony-croatan.shtml>.

In “The Lost Colony: Roanoke Island, N.C.” (2007), Eric Hausev provides a more personal description of what happened so long ago in Roanoke. By giving specific names and events that occurred the reader is taking a closer look into what led up to the disappearance of the colonists. It also presents recent discoveries that could possibly back up several theories.  This website appeals to those interested in this historical event and possibly to those interested in visiting the area. The purpose of this website is to provide basic yet specific information to educate individuals and in hopes of attracting interested tourists. This website will be helpful in piecing together the background information on the colony and colonists as well as helping me  draw my own conclusions about the different theories.

Lane, Ralph. “The Colony At Roanoke.” History Hotline.com. 2007.

< http://www.historyhotline.com/ColonyatRoanoke.htm>.

In “The Colony At Roanoke”(2007), Ralph Lane formally educates readers on the details of the colony at Roanoke.  He accounts specific details of the colony as well as the sequence of events that occurred at that time. Since the information is presented in a more formal way I believe it is intended for those with a higher level of education.  There isn’t really any elaboration, everything is presented in a matter of fact way. The purpose of this website is strictly to provide a timeline and facts on Roanoke. This website will give me a general outline of what took place at Roanoke.

Patterson, Donald. “Great Mystery of Roanoke Island.” News & Record  and Landmark Communications Inc. 2009. <http://www.newsrecord.com/content/2007/11/11/article/great_mystery_of_roanoke_island>.

                In “Great Mystery of Roanoke Island”, Donald Patterson gives a detailed account of what occurred and what could have possibly occurred in the lost colony of Roanoke. He not only describes the background information of the colony, he describes why it is such a big mystery. In order to present his information affectively to the reader he sticks to the facts and presents the information using short concise sentences. His purpose is to present the information and have the reader think for themselves and draw their own conclusion. I intend on using his article to reinforce my arguments in my paper.

The lost colony of Roanokeis something that really intrests me.  I’ve always had general knowledge of the subject but I’ve never looked into it. I think because I know little about the mystery it would be a good topic for my research. I really like history and I think I will enjoy learning more about this lost civilization that so many people have forgotten.  As I talk with my friends and peers only few of them have even heard about the lost colony of Roanoke. I think it is sad and shocking that a huge group of people can disappear without a trace and not only does it still remain a mystery after so long, but most people today have no knowledge of the history. I don’t understand why this is not a major topic in history, I believe it deserves more attention than it gets.

          At first I had no idea what topic to choose. I went through an entire list of like fifty possible things until I decided on the lost colony of Roanoke. I know there are many theories out there and I am curious to know what could have happened. Did they die of sickness? Were they captured?  Did they just leave and go somewhere else? Where could they have gone? Where are their remains? Why is there no trace of their existance?  All of these questions can help present a valid argument and opinion. There is ample information available on the lost colony of Roanoke and I am excited to learn more about the history and the possibilities of what happened so long ago.

When it comes to religion there is a very broad spectrum of beliefs and ways of life.  Religion encompasses an endless list of various morals and behaviors carried out by those who practice it. Every religion is bias to itself in the way that they believe they are doing things the right way. Along with that every religion questions the actions and ideas presented by one another.

I was raised as a Christian in a Baptist church. I soon learned that there were other denominations within the Christian religion, but never really thought too much about those denominations and how they differed from one another. I always assumed they thought the same things as my church and I did. It wasn’t until early high school when my best friend was Catholic did my eyes truly open to the diverse world of religion. As I learned more in my Baptist church and listened to people talk stereotypes and ideas about the other denominations began developing in my head. Shortly after hanging out with people of other denominations I realized there were many stereotypes, misconceptions, and ideas about each denomination, especially Catholicism.

I’ve heard things like “Catholicism isn’t a true Christian denomination”, “It’s not a denomination, it’s a cult”, and “they believe their way is the only right way”. When I first heard these things I didn’t know what to think. My friend couldn’t possibly be a part of something that people made out to be something terrible.  Even though I heard many different things about Catholism I just brushed it off because it didn’t concern me; I was Baptist not Catholic.

When assigned this mini ethnography project it took me a while to decide what to write about. After picking through all my random thoughts I came to the conclusion that I would write about Catholicism. I like to consider myself one of those people that keep an open mind and it occurred to me that I’ve had many friends who are Catholic and I honestly know nothing about it. All I have are these ambiguous and preconceived ideas about their behavior and beliefs that I’ve heard through the grapevine or in my church. 

My roommate and one of my best friends is an active member of her Catholic church and I interviewed her in hopes of settling the confusion and questionability of the stereotypes I commonly hear.  I started with the basic question of how the Catholic Church sees other denominations and religions. She replied by saying they consider other Christians their brothers and sisters in Christ under one baptism even though there are small differences in beliefs. They also see Jewish people as their brothers and ancestors because Jesus was a Jew. Muslims are respected because they share a common ancestor in Abraham but they disagree with everything else. I asked her what motivates people to join and why she is Catholic. I was then informed that her as well as most Catholics are “cradle Catholics”, meaning they were born and raised Catholic. As far as gender relations go, Catholicism is pretty traditional. The men are the head of the household, women are submissive but they are for the most part equal. However, women are not allowed to be in the priesthood. The reasons they hold services in churches are  the same as most other denominations and religions. It is the symbol of God’s House/Kingdom on Earth. They gather to celebrate the Eucharist which is the soul of Catholicism that commemorates the sacrifice Jesus made to save them from sin when he died.  I assume some of the stereotypes made about Catholicism come from their strong opposition of many aspects of the secular culture. Some of which are abortion, death penalty, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, gay marriage, and any system excluding others from society.

After my interview and some observation I learned a lot about Catholicism and why they are targeted with ridicule. I saw how things were done and compared it to my church and what I am used to. Although the Catholic Church is very strict and ritualistic it does have some similarities to other Christian denominations. They share some of the same rituals such as baptism and matrimony. However, they have others that separate them from the rituals of the other denominations like sacraments, penance, confirmation, holy orders, and anointing. On the other hand every denomination and religion has its own order and process that sets it apart from the others.

One of the common stereotypes I have heard about Catholicism is that “it isn’t a denomination, it’s a cult”. To me the word cult sounds negative and harsh. I was curious as to how other people at TCU would respond to that statement so I took a survey. I asked random students around campus if they saw the Catholic Church as cult-like, why or why not. Of the twenty five people asked, twelve said it was cult-like and thirteen said it wasn’t. I was shocked that the responses were that close. I wasn’t expecting an equally divided opinion. For the most part the reasons were all the same. Some said it wasn’t cult-like because it is a culturally accepted official denomination and that every denomination and religion is cult-like in their own way and Catholicism shouldn’t be targeted.  Others said it was cult like because of the “my way or the highway” attitude, no personal relationship with God, and the no tolerance for other beliefs. I received answers on opposite ends of the spectrum and I didn’t really know what to think.

It wasn’t until researching and writing this paper that I realized there was such a big difference in everyone’s views of the Catholic Church. I know religion is a vast realm of different beliefs and practices. It will always be highly controversial and there will never be complete agreement but I don’t understand why Catholicism specifically is singled out. Since I am informed on the ways of the Catholic Church I can now draw my own conclusions without feeling like I am being falsely influenced by common misconceptions and stereotypes.

Works Cited

Hernandez, Mandy. Personal Interview. 23 Feb 2009.

If I include a picture in my paper I would use this one. It is a cartoon symbolizing the Catholic church. It is a picture of a castle that looks like it has broken away from other castles and is now floating around like its own little island. On the top of the castle it has a flag blowing in the wind that says ”Catholic Church” and the castle is really pretty and big. On the right side of the castle you can see the remains of the other castle it was once attached to. It looks old and crummy and says “other protestant churches” on it. It is the same on the left side as well except instead of saying other protestant churches it says “dissent”. 

The cartoon is pretty much saying that the Catholic church thinks they are better than everyone else and that other churches and people who disagree with them cannot be associated with them in any way. It shows that they aren’t afraid to break away leaving those who don’t follow behind, symbolizing that their way is the only right way.

I chose this cartoon to possibly include in my essay because it fits in with the point of my paper. In my paper I am addressing certain stereotypes and beliefs about the Catholic Church and this cartoon is a very good example of a few common public views on Catholism. If included in my paper I would also use it to compare with the opinions and ideas of the people I interviewed; a member of the Catholic Church and a non-member. I feel it would be a good attribution to the comparing and contrasting idea of the different views of Catholism in my paper. 

I know my paper and this image are a bit controversial but I am not bashing Catholism or stating my own opinions. I am instead gaining more knowlege on the subject and presenting opposing sides on the issue.