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In St Peter and St Mary Church in Stowmarket, the probable entrance to the family vault, thought to contain the remains of Gosnold’s niece Katherine Blackerby, has been identified.

At All Saints, Shelley the likely grave of Elizabeth Gosnold Tilney has been found.

In 1607 Suffolk adventurer and entrepreneur, Bartholomew Gosnold led the first expedition to establish a permanent colony in the New World. He made landfall at Jamestown in modern day Virginia.

Comparative DNA testing could prove that the remains of a 17th century sea captain excavated at Jamestown are those of America’s founding father. This would be the first time that permission to extract DNA for scientific research would have been granted in the UK.

"The radar survey shows a potential vault under the Blackerby memorial tablet in the floor of Stowmarket Church," says James Halsall, the project spokesman for the Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich.

"In Shelley Church when we lifted the choir pews, we found a memorial slab in the location that research led us to believe Elizabeth Tilney might be buried. Both are very exciting results."

Searching for the family tomb

William Kelso, Director of Archaeology at APVA Preservation Virginia says, "We are very excited about pursuing this research and helping Bartholomew Gosnold receive recognition for his visionary leadership that’s long overdue. We are also extremely grateful to the Church of England and the two Suffolk parishes for their co-operation in this historic endeavour."

The results of the radar survey have been passed to the Council for the Care of Churches and Church Councils’ in Stowmarket and Shelley. None of the bodies raised objections to the project continuing to the next stage.

Discussions will now take place between the Archaeology team from Suffolk County Council, the Council for the Care of Churches and APVA Preservation Virginia as to how the exploration should be conducted.

If final legal permission is granted by the Chancellor of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, work in the two Suffolk churches is expected to begin in late spring.

If DNA material can be successfully extracted, the results of the comparative tests will be revealed in a National Geographic Television & Film documentary expected to be transmitted in November 2005.