Using genealogy, deeds and historical narratives, researchers have compiled 168 surnames that they believe may have connections to the Lost Colony.

While DNA won't make any immediate connections beyond living relatives, the samples can provide clues to a person's country of origin and other shared family traits. Genealogy will have to fill in the blanks.

The owner of a private DNA analysis company helping in the research, Roberta Estes says the group may later seek to test American Indian remains or the colonists' known relatives who remained in England.