The History Channel has contacted my father and will eventually contact me. It seems that a researcher believed that my family is descendant from the Lost Colony. With the help of Robert S Machuga and the Carawan family, I have traced my ancestry back to a Thomas Paine born sometime before 1734. In the same area (Currituck County, NC) there is only one Payne mentioned not in my research – his name is Samuel Payn. The earliest record of him is 1661. He left no will, but is recorded as serving in town meetings and affairs.

My cousin Rock, who posts here occasionally, has done more family history research than all of us. I certainly hope that they get in contact with him, he is the one with the hard data and background.

I won’t be on TV, but my father will.

I expect to hear from them soon. I’ll keep you posted.