Paul, I agree totally that the past cannot be condemmed for having their views, however, it is essential to understand the prevailing laws and customs. I was about to post a query about such for a much earlier time and I had hoped you would be the one to answer. In any case, a thorough understanding of how to interpret records and their underlying regulations are a part of our research and an identification of families that may be mixed race is equally important. My query is about Brunswick-Lunenburg in the 1740's. Would there be any restrictions upon a man there with an Indian wife? I have found no mention of him in the Parish records though he is clearly there from 1744 until his death some 45 years later. I had supposed this was because he was a Baptist. It has now been suggested that his wife may have been Indian. I have questioned this as I do not see the opportunity of such a meeting nor do I see anything in the meager records. Now I wonder if this fact, meager records, is a clue in itself. His 8 children lived out their lives in VA and should have some indication of Mulatto or something shouldn't they? Thanks for your help. Diana Williams Searching Walling, Jones, Herd and Bryant