This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JeB.2ACI/656.1.2 Message Board Post: Been studying the subject of the People, who occupy principally the East coast and Appalachia. They are called by many names including Brass Ankles, Red Leg, Turks, Melungeon, Cubans, Crotians, etc. There is much uncertainty, and a great deal of speculation on this group. It is not accurate to refer to them as half-breed, mulatto, part Afro American. There was great resistance by them in history, form time to time, to be classified as either White, Afro american, and native American. Books on the subject are more available than previously, but you can start with "Melungeons", then "Almost White". Search the web for a site on Melungeon. There are many family names associated with Brass ankles, including Sweat, Varner, Driggers, Bunch, Goins, Dubose, Platt, and Tann. They may have relationship with the Summerville Indians etc.