I really hate to take sides. But I have a few thoughts on the subject at hand. I wonder why so many of my ancestors felt the need to hide the fact that they were Melungeon? I wonder why noone in my family would admit to ever hearing the term? As far as being an expert on who was and who wasn't allowed to own land or vote, heaven knows I am not. Yet why did they hide who they were if they didn't encounter racism? It is my very humble opinion that we absolutely cannot deny that racism existed back then. I seem to be getting this vague undertone of it through some of the posts. I was born and raised in southern West Virginia. I lived there twenty four years folks. The town had no stop lights. That's how small it was. There were no black families living there and quite frankly if they had tried to move there they would have been run out. It shames me to say that but it is true. But I'll tell you this much. About eight out of ten families there have the "surnames associated with Melungeons". Now here is my most humble opinion again. I believe they moved across the river into southern WV and remade themselves. If they could go into a county deed office and pass for white I know they did. My people certainly did. As far back as my great-great grandfather who fought as a Lt. in the Civil War I know we didn't encounter blatant racism. But maybe that was simply because we passed as white. We had a Irish surname so who was to question? (Thornsbury). I have uncles on my Cline side that were so dark with dark curly hair. Some of us were light and some dark. And Eddie I am truly sorry for the length of this. Also because it really doesn't pertain to genealogy. I just couldn't keep from saying my piece. I know that there are people who disagree but I say variety is the spice of life. I won't condemn anyone for their opinions. Perhaps some families faced a little more discrimination than others. Jennifer