In a message dated 01/18/2001 10:29:38 AM Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > Although my Bridges family seem to be white now, words like "dark" on death > cert. and indentured servant (in conversations) are comming up. > Indentured servants were White, and some Europeans were listed as with "dark" complexions. I have seen some Germans listed as "dark". Blacks would be listed as slaves or free Negroes. Before 1850, there was a special place on the census to mark these, but that was before the names other than the head of household, were listed. In 1850, and thereafter, I believe the blacks were listed as "B" and were listed along with the household in which they were living. Usually they were living in their own home, but perhaps, on the property of the white owner. I could be wrong in some of this, it is just my observation. Julia