Amid the great mysteries of the world, there is one associated with the US state of North Carolina that has been unsolved for over four hundred years, the lost colony of Roanoke Island. At that time, this area was a part of the English possession, Virginia.

Roanoke Island is located in Dare County, North Carolina, between the barrier islands and the North Carolina mainland. To its north is Albemarle Sound and Roanoke Sound.

At this location in 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh established what he expected to be the first permanent English settlement in America. It had been named by Captain Philip Amadas and Captain Arthur Barlow, both serving in Raleigh’s command.

The first attempt at colonizing the island came in 1585 and was headed by Ralph Lane. Sir Richard Grenville transported the settlers to the island and then returned to England to bring supplies. The settlers were in need of almost everything and Grenville’s return was slowed.

Following an attack on the Spanish-held city of Saint Augustine, Florida, Sir Francis Drake dropped anchor at Roanoke Island. The population of Roanoke returned to England with Sir Francis Drake.

Again in 1587, the English attempted to start a colony on the island. John White sailed for England for supplies but was sorely disappointed at what he found. England was at war with Spain and all ships were pressed into use as part of the war effort. There weren't ships available to help him. The settlers at Roanoke were stranded, with no knowledge of the fate of John White or the supplies!
Whatever happened on the island between 1587 and 1590, during White’s absence, is the basis of a four-hundred year old mystery.

It would not be until 1590 that John White would be able to get back to Roanoke Island. When he arrived he found that the settlement had been abandoned. Prior to his departure three years earlier he’d left instructions that if the colonists had to abandon the settlement that they leave a sign carved with the name of the place they were going. Additionally, there was to be a Gothic cross carved on the sign if the relocation was due to danger.

Upon searching the area, a tree was found with the letters CRO carved into it. Later a fence post was found with the word CROATOAN carved into it. Croatoan was an island that today is known as Hatteras Island, located south of Roanoke Island.

John White planned to search Croatoan, but was turned back by bad weather with every effort to reach the island.

On Croatoan lived a band of friendly natives and the speculation by many is that the people of Roanoke moved to Croatoan and assimilated into their culture. There were reports years later of natives that had light complexions and Anglo features, but not all researchers agree with this theory.

John White finally gave up the search and returned to England. He never returned to the New World again, even though his granddaughter, Virginia Dare was the first English child born in the New World.

To this day, archeologists, historians and scientists work to find an answer to the mystery. As with any great mystery, there are many theories. Among the possibilities are the following, which are being researched by various parties of interest: