Why Lola hid our family photos

[@marilynmonrose1324]

Your grandmother was very beautiful. Women of color back in those days could be taken advantage of at will with no one to help them, especially in southern states. She did what she had to do to protect herself and future generations.

[@dinkster1729]

She probably didn't really feel black any more since she was also Mexican and Native. Why should she say that she was black, especially when her husband and her children were not black really.

[@marilynmonrose1324]

@@dinkster1729 Non-white women were assaulted at will back in those days with no protections. Again, she did what she had to do for her family's survival.

[@cjlooklin1914]

Yeah there are even instances where white men were lynched for try to prevent a rape in the early 1900's

[@bluetinsel7099]

A lot of older generations don’t like to talk about stuff. I’ve heard older folk say “I don’t want to talk about that old timey stuff”. Sometimes it’s like PTSD for them to relive the past that may have hurt them. If you have old journals from your grandparents or great grandparents that could be helpful as well.

[@nytn]

I would love to find that

[@bluetinsel7099]

@@nytn Yes, sometimes if the family house is still around they may have them tucked away in a box in a basement. They can give you an idea of the time and how things were and interactions etc. I hope that you are able to find more in your family story, it can be quite interesting.

[@carlcunningham294]

My great great aunt mother was a mullato. She never wanted to talk about her white grandfather.

[@tantig5923]

I like that ❤ We will call it DNA PTSD ❤

[@shazza160]

Actually it’s simply taking the opportunity to recreate a new identity.

[@mcclendonreport]

You are one of the realest women online regarding the checkered past of America. You are a blessing to us. A million thank you’s to you.

[@nytn]

you are making my day!

[@mcclendonreport]

@@nytn You are a salve to a weary black man’s wounded spirit.

[@handyman3526]

one of your best episodes. once we exhaust public records, finding forgotten and cherished photographs are like finding a pot of gold

[@nytn]

I really appreciate that!

[@tantig5923]

❤❤❤

[@Marcel_Audubon]

if this disorganized mess is one of her best eppies, I had better not look at any of the others

[@marthaanncoles176]

Family stories are so important!

[@bethel1242]

Danielle, my great-grandmother, was prejudiced against my mom even though she was Irish-African. Her husband, my great-grandfather, was Native American. I understand why the history of shame and hiding brings you to tears. My family still live on native lands in the Carolinas.

[@susangrande8142]

My husband is 1/4 Tuscarora/Mohawk, and on the tribal roles. Is the native land Tuscaroran, or another tribe? Just curious. Hubby’s relatives (that he knows about) live on the reservation near Niagara Falls, New York.

[@massimilianomencacci2510]

Irish African?

[@justtruth5855]

​@@massimilianomencacci2510 the original Irish Scottish Welsh English were black. They fled to America, Africa, Jamaica etc. pope Nicholas wrote the Dum Diverses, known as Spanish Inquisition better known as The Transatlantic Slave Trade. Search for Europe Royal negro kings family Crests.

[@spanishruleinlouisiana]

@@massimilianomencacci2510Irish and African. 😂

[@GazilionPT]

5:32 Regarding Lola's name, I think her parents heard the Greek name "Laodicea" (Λαοδίκεια), but didn't know how to spell it - nor did the clerk at the registration office. Laodicea was the name of a Greek city in what is now Turkey. This toponym appears about half a dozen times in the New Testament, e.g. in Paul's letter to the Colossians, where he mentions "the brothers of Laodicea" (by that meaning the Christians living in Laodicea); maybe Lola's parents heard that and thought Laodicea was a great name for a girl. Indeed, the etymology of "Laodicea" points back to a very similar female name, "Laodice", the wife of the Seleucid king, Antiochus II; it is also the name of a Trojan princess mentioned in the Iliad. I think that - specially because of the Biblical connection - makes more sense than naming your child after some obscure fruit in Africa (specially because "Lodoicea" is its scientific name, probably no one outside the botanist milieu calls it that).

[@nytn]

This is SUCH a great lead. I’m going to dig around a bit. I should have thought of this but never connected it!

[@rocketreindeer]

My grandma from my adopted family had a weird combo of complimentary statements + shaming slurs about Indigenous people. Once she was with her bowling league when I took a bunch of kids from our Rez youth group to fun open afternoon bowling. Some of them didn't know how to bowl and I had to show them how to throw the balls instead of "lofting" them. We all had a lot of fun. Then a few weeks later, my grandma came up to me and was just furious. She said the kids lofting the balls was disgusting and she was embarrassed and ashamed of me. I told my mom about it and we agreed there was something a bit intense about it. After she passed away, my cousin did some research and apparently found out my grandma's father was Cree. I haven't asked him about it, but that's what he told my mom. I kept thinking back to my supposed shaming bowling afternoon with the kids after that. I don't think she wasn't aware of it, she must have known but never said a word about it and kept it stifled down. That's my guess anyways. She sometimes wasn't a very nice person, but I wonder how much of it was rooted in self-dislike.

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

This is very interesting. I'm sure that it is frustrating when you climb into the "rabbit hole" and just as you are about to find the "carrot" you hit the "roadblock" of the family member(s) who does not want to talk about it. Fortunately, you have had a good amount of family who are willing to help you along in this journey. When I read some of the negative comments I can tell that those are the ones who do not know why you initially embarked on this journey. Thank you for sharing this. I hope that some of the newer subbies will watch it and get some insight into how this channel started.

[@elyjane8316]

We are European Jews, living in Europe. I was led to understand that we were Sephardi. On looking through some photos with an elderly Aunt. Asked who they were, she didn't say, but moved on very quickly. I still don't know who they were, but they were photos of 'mountain Jews'. Just like people hid their African roots, we hid our, what was considered, the poor, uneducated roots...

[@bettyjenkins2162]

Great pictures of your beautiful family

[@cynthiagale6794]

She was afraid because once she passed she knew she'd never be sage from bigots. I just pray that her life was happy and fulfilling. Many people from all walks of life left their families behind to have a better life. You all are her legacy and I hope that you're proud of her.

[@virginiamorales1591]

It’s so crazy finding out information about your ancestry through documents that you would never have thought could exist. My parents are from Puerto Rico and when I started my journey searching for my ancestry, I found out that my mother’s mother had her first child at the age of 13 😒. I was in shock. I felt so bad for her because she was a child. My mother’s parents were married and they had more children, but I wasn’t expecting to find out about that sad story. I told my mom, and she told me that back then people were crazy. I don’t know if she knew, but I suspect that she did and felt ashamed. But, yes you can find out so much about your family’s history through census, birth certificates, death certificates, matrimony, vets, etc. It is so interesting. I love history 😊. I like what you are doing and sharing it with us. Thanks 😊 ❤

[@jayregal6478]

I think it is wonderful that you are able to speak your truth!

[@wendychapman7261]

This is so interesting. My mothers side of the family can not be traced. Her father did not know who he was. All I know, he was 4'11" dark complected, was a sharecropper, and took on the name of the people he worked for which was Smith. I feel in my heart he was a passenger on an orphan train. He went by the name of Roy Smith

[@acebutterfly2725]

Did you look up baptism records? Or the census?

[@wendychapman7261]

@@acebutterfly2725 where,what,how?

[@acebutterfly2725]

@@wendychapman7261 You should start with your local library. Many libraries have genealogy sections and specialists in history etc that might be a good way to get started and maybe less overwhelming. There’s also online resources.

[@tiffanyprather8103]

My family is every color of the rainbow and I am so happy that my family stayed connected.

[@shewhomustbobeyed1]

Your family looks totally Latino.. which is not surprising as we’re African, European, and Native. Ya know what.. all this proves is how interconnected the human family truly is

[@babyboy562]

Latino is not a race sister so what’s the “look” they come in every shade and race. Why do Dark Brown Latinos get labeled as Afro Latinos but mestizos, Mulattos, and those who can pass for white are just Latino. They always hide the “Black” indigenous Latinos and Afro Latinos in the closet but be the first to holla “Brown Pride!!” 😂 very racist culture who are all about looking white and producing white looking offspring

[@ListenUpDemocracy]

Colorism and passing are real. Such a fascinating look at it.

[@BirdDogg]

Fascinating. We had a whole branch of our family re-emerge about two years ago. About 30 family members we didn’t even know existed. Evidently the family had a falling out around 1890 and that’s when the split happened. Been really cool to get to know them.

[@msa565]

Thats interesting

[@isabelsierra3331]

Got a chuckle from the Lola/Zola comment. My mom and her sister were born the same day 3 years apart. Their names were the same but flipped. My aunt was Claudina Fermina. My mom was Fermina Claudina. My grandma was either overwhelmed or had a nutty sense of humor. 😂

[@nytn]

this is amazing. I LOVE IT. ETA : Claudina. i will never get that outta my head

[@habibahq4272]

lol. I had great uncles who were twins...one named Charles John and the other John Charles...CJ and JC. their records are impossible to distinguish sometimes. Nutty parents lol!

[@isabelsierra3331]

@@habibahq4272 now that’s confusing 😂. Must have been fun and games at school.

[@regina3743]

Have you explored the passing of native Americans? Do you have that in your background, as well? I had always heard stories about it in my family, and found definite indications in my DNA and when I started my ancestry search. Apparently, it happened on both sides of my family. I have a Cherokee and Upper Creek background. In Alabama, the last recorded native removal in the history and archives was 1939. It was dangerous to be native or black for so long. It’s just sad, but I’m thankful for my people and the fact that they survived. We are here. I hope my ancestors are proud of me. I’ve tried. Btw…you are precious! Thank you for your work!

[@richardwilliamswilliams]

Good morning neighbor lady. Always enjoy your programs!😊

[@nytn]

Good morning! :) good to see ya

[@vickypatout5361]

On Alphonse's draft card it probably says "his mark", which yes, means he couldn't sign his name so this is commonly done in that case. I worked in a Louisiana hospital for 12 years doing birth certificates & I am a notary, so I have run into this before in documents.❤

[@nytn]

Thank you! I appreciate that so much

[@laverneclark8191]

Thanks!

[@nytn]

Thank you! so kind of you, thanks for being with me

[@shewhomustbobeyed1]

It’s a bloody shame racism being so pervasive and destructive people feel the need to run from their heritage. Inhumane and evil. Thank you for sharing. We are who we are because of all of our ancestors. I’m super mixed and proud. In fact have many times been accused of being Creole. I have Louisiana roots but know nothing about being creole. Families from Monroe.. Lake Charles area too. My family’s also from Puerto Rico. My ancestry is all over the map. I don’t reject anyone. Why would I. You can’t help your heritage. So may as well accept it.

[@thorpeaaron1110]

Watching this I feel bad for Lola having to hide her true identity just to be accepted by society hopefully she can her true self through you.

[@thorpeaaron1110]

​@@etruscancivilizationI see but it's sad he had to do that either way.

[@DwayneABryan]

​​@@etruscancivilization oddly I see a lot of blame in that story... But she made the best decision she could for herself and her children. Judging by the host it seemed she did well by them.

[@tagon70]

@etruscancivilization this illustrates the perils of being black.. it must be nice to just slip into aNother race … meanwhile, the darker members of her family were stuck fighting to be full citizens.. I find it to be cowardly.. I guess it’s the old ,if you can’t beat them join them huh?

[@paneofrealitychannel8204]

I am throwing so many BS flags on this whole narrative. In fact, it's ignorant and disgusting. You all just focus on the fact that there is some black mix in the family and ignore everything else?

[@komiczar]

​​​@@tagon70"It must be nice," is an over simplification of the situations that many including Lola live through and the thought energy involved in avoiding those situations? Just the news of some one encountering those variations of those situations or even reflecting upon the reality is unsettling. Think about how you felt when you were first made aware that Humans could mistreat other Humans in the way that Emmit Till did? Imagine being made aware at a very young age in a time and place that this is a seemingly inescapable reality. Also keep in mind that Danielle does not have the entire story about her Lola. It was safer for Lola and her progeny, when you consider the variations of so-called "race and racism" during her time into the current time. What could be so nice about it? Surely Lola must have regularly questioned her decision several times, with reservations as to whether it was her best decision. Especially when the reminders are presented in unexpected ways. Lola's situation is really a lot less worse than those Humans came from Europe and accepted so-called "whiteness," as their designation, and joined in persecuting those without the lable ti gain favor with their peers and masters. Every action has its own inherent rewards and punishments already in place. No matter who you share with, you always sleep with yourself.

[@joevaccaro6655]

Thanks for sharing and a little extra gratitude on this end being that I even asked myself “am I crazy?” when I studied my family history. Best wishes on your quest to know your family history and I look forward to the next video :)

[@daphnecollier9264]

Each episode you keep glowing. It seems as you speak “the Truth “ of your BLACKNESS you keep radiating. Please continue to tell the truth. Bless you

[@amb7412]

Love seeing these leafs on your family tree and how you've made it all connect. I'm still struggling to pull information together myself and i find it daunting at times. Great video!

[@nytn]

It feels so daunting. I have quit certain ancestors for months at a time. When I come back, sometimes there are new leads 😀😀

[@amb7412]

@@nytn This gives me hope! Sometimes steeping give a new prospective or someone has added additional info. Someone on my tree added a directory with my Great-Grandmother's address and her store name Loftly's Place. Seeing this information and my mom confirming it makes things more real. I'll keep going!

[@nytn]

Did I already ask if you were in cousin Alex’s genealogy Facebook group?

[@amb7412]

@@nytn No I need to join that because I could use some guidance.How do I locate it? Thanks.

[@nytn]

He us under SW Louisiana Creole genealogy, but he covers thousands of families. He's amazing. You have to request to be added, but just make a note that I sent you. If he cant help, he knows who can.

[@michaelrochester48]

Hi Danielle, I was looking at your Ancestry family tree from what you showed in the video and I noticed that one of your Irish ancestors is from Ballypooreen in Tipperary… just letting you know that a very famous actor and later president had ancestors from that very town and his name is Ronald Reagan

[@annatomasso5226]

Always enjoy your content!

[@mind_of_a_darkhorse]

Congrats on hitting over 100k! You have great content that covers a vast amount of thought-provoking concepts!

[@jimiwhat79]

I think most family’s have pictures that never see the day of light, simply because no one cares, you are lucky a lot of people who want things hidden will throw all evidence of their past away. So in someways she did not want to erase her heritage, just didn’t want to talk about it, which isn’t strange for that generation..

[@tevincoolbeats]

this great love your family stories

[@annecollins1741]

I enjoy watching your videos. Keep them coming.

[@timeforchange3786]

That is so cool about I wonder if Henry started using the Perot name? After you said you have a Perot line from Louisiana I started thinking about Ross Perot who ran for President and was a successful business man in Dallas. He definitely looks like he is mixed with something.

[@conniewagner4234]

I wish everyone felt free to be who they are. You have such a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing them with us. 😊

[@bluejay9968]

I'm 80% African. All of my great-grandparents' siblings disappeared. I believe they all passed for white accept for three of them.

[@nytn]

this is such a terrible referendum on our recent national history. Do you ever think about finding the grand kids?

[@bluejay9968]

Yes. I heard one got found out and was murdered/stabbed, and a mysterious fire happened in her home. ​@@nytn

[@chakagomez8129]

when i asked my mom why her grandma looked so dark in an old photo she bristled. i asked if she was italian. she was angry and said "were german!" thats when i guessed that something was up

[@Jenny-uv4dl]

Basically the same happened to me I could never figure out why my supposedly German grandpa had jet black hair that it grew longer then 1/2 in he had to slick dwn to keep straight how my great grandmother never got married ( if she crossed the color line no southern white man would have married her)how 99% of ppl who have our last name are POC how my cousins have blond loose afros and tan very very easy my sister has extremely curly hair I asked my bio mom all those questions 1.were cheerokee then Italian then lastly jews when I proved the first 2 priors wrong BUT THEN my bio dad gets a disease tht 98% of ppl who get are of african descent o.k thts a fluke then I get a cancer tht 99% of ppl who get are of african descent o.k weird and my brother has a disorder tht 50% of ppl who get are Afro-American my moms who kinda racist is ANGRY she was raised in GA she never knew my dads ppl are gullah my mom used to almost curse brushing out me & my sisters hair at night😅😂

[@msa565]

​@@Jenny-uv4dlsaaaad stuff

[@kitty_s23456]

​@@Jenny-uv4dlI think that's kinda sad. It reminds me of a vid that I watched recently, "Latinos take a DNA test". One of them came from the Dominican Republic and she said that her parents always said that they're European. Her DNA result came out around 50% Euro, 30 or 35% African and the rest was native. (percentages aren't exact, since I don't remember exactly). Upon receiving her results, she called her mom. The mom said that her mom & the brothers (the girl's grandma & great uncles) were European and that the black side of her family came from her dad's side (the girl's paternal grandpa). And she (the mom) talked as if the darker grandma being dark was a secret. The phone call was a bit funny but I also found it a bit sad that they want to deny or hide their African roots.

[@justred5164]

My paternal grandmother was a white woman in Jim Crow south married to my black grandfather. They married in 1929 and my grandfather would often tell the story about how when they married his mother wouldn’t allow my grandmother in her home for fear of being attacked because of their marriage. The funny part is that nobody ever said my grandmother was white and I didn’t realize it until I was about 15 years old 😂😂. Everyone was very fair skinned so I didn’t notice 😂😂😂 I often wondered if their marriage was valid because of her race..🤷🏽‍♀️

[@ejiofor8141]

You'd be great as host on Finding Your Roots with Gates.

[@johnnyearp52]

Good to see your channel again.

[@nytn]

Welcome back! Hope you are doing well :)

[@johnnyearp52]

@@nytn Thanks, I am ok now but I was in the hospital and sick.

[@nytn]

Im so sorry, I hope you are on the mend. 😟

[@johnnyearp52]

@@nytn Yes, thanks! I hope you and your family are doing well!

[@lyndaclough3462]

She looks so happy to be with them.

[@Sandi533]

So interesting! Thx for sharing your family .

[@julesmum9781]

Not just hid your family tree but Lola hid herself, becoming Louise. Ty for sharing ❤

[@stephanienwadieiiamhybasia]

Lovely stories. Thank you for sharing. We all have family secrets that was taken to the grave.❤

[@ZendreGlymph]

Danielle, Thank you for what you’re doing. I noticed a lot of my great-grandparents and their parents race vary. I even found one great-grandfather original race was crossed out. Glad I was close with my Mom’s mother. She let me in on family history.

[@beverlyodom-jackson2329]

Talking about names my grandmother was Emma louzola. Although her and my mother were mistaken for many races as a child I perceived them to be colored (what they used in the 50’s) because I was. My youngest son when he was about 3 years old asked me is grandma white? I said no. He was baffled.

[@bryonbiondolillo6545]

They do have a way of shutting up questions they don't like down there....

[@pugdaddi]

Such a beautiful American story thank you for sharing

[@nytn]

Thank you for being here!

[@LaDeLaO]

I just started my journey- I am also puzzled to the name changes- I am now widening my search to incorporate potential changes, especially since mine borders Mexico and Texas- variances to spelling makes it so difficult! Appreciated the subject and you sharing!!

[@franciscophile6281]

Thank you for this video. I was wondering about Lola.

[@nytn]

You are so welcome!

[@kroo07]

The note on the draft card is "His mark" and is commonly used in lieu of a signature, or sometimes "The mark of". It always surprises me that that the person writing out the name does not need to be identified.

[@Redlurk3]

In my own family Grammas side of the family was 'French canadian' do French canadian my Great Grandmother was carried on a cradle board into the Upper Peninsula

[@nytn]

Wow that’s incredible

[@rroadmap]

Wow!

[@paulacribb56]

Our stories are so similar in so many ways. Loved this video!

[@nytn]

Great to see you! 💕

[@maryjackson1194]

Perhaps the uncle who married very late and divorced soon was closeted. "Cruelty" could be a euphemism for surprising her with that fact or refusing to do his marital duty.

[@ginagaladriel]

A suggestion when putting names on Ancestry, do not add nicknames on the main profile name, add them as "Also Known As", this will give you more hints, as the algorithm is searching for a string "name" + "last name" as you enter it, yes, it may have "sound as" etc, but it will be easier if you just provide the first middle and last name, then add the other names they were known as as separate values :)

[@Rebecca-le9hn]

This is just a suggestion. Regarding the name of your grandmother Lola. Lodi is a surname found most often in Italy. It is a Province of Milan. Sosea means Praises in Italian. the Surname lodi is also found in Brazil and Hungary. Just another rabbit hole that might lead somewhere. In the book "Storyville, New Orleans: Being an Authentict, Illustrated Account of the Notorious Red-Light Distric" by Al Rose. There is mention of an Olga Lodi, The Italian Queen. You might be able to find more info on James Perrault because on his draft card it shows he worked for the WPA (Works Progress Administration) a government program.

[@robyn9617]

Hey Danielle, I love your thoughtful and fascinating work. I have a similar but different family story as an adoptee. Would love to get in contact with you to chat. All the best!

[@nytn]

Please do! you can e-mail my admin, Alex howdy(at)nytonashville(dot)com

[@Maan_QUIT_ALLDAT]

Interesting. I remember. Watching your video on the Malone jet and the Goin's family. My grandmother's maiden name was Goin.Texas and our people came from around the carolina area

[@lmc2375]

Make a photo paper copy of that vintage pic, carry the copy to preserve the original. Once image gets worn away, you can't recover that. I love vintage pics. I collected many over the years. I loved when they had a message, date and name on them. Esp. kids with their Pitbull dogs, that were praised for looking after those kids on farms, keeping them from harm. Some amazing things written on them. 1850's era. One saved 'his' 2 yr. old toddler from drowning, went after him to pull out of pond by the seat of his pants. Now, that's quite a dog. He had a steak for dinner that night. ❤🐕🙏💫💥

[@rroadmap]

That says "his mark". He made an x for his mark and somebody signed the name for him.

[@ensabahnur7657]

Thanks for sharing!🙏💖

[@vivianclark7032]

GREAT grenealogical work!! You need your very own PBS Special! Have you thought of partnering with Dr Henry Louis Gates? If not, consider it....This is real American History unearthed! Maybe you can also reach out to the Smithsonian Museum in Wash, DC. I would love to see your findings featured there. Give it a try!! Wishing you all the best and continued success! I too have been bitten by the genealogy bug. Every day is a new discovery. I'm sure our ancestors are proud that we want to remember them and keep their memories alive.

[@1LovedbyHim]

My grandmother, who passed away a few years ago, told us numerous stories about why she passed for white, although she was mixed. To look at her, you’d think she was a white woman and wouldn’t think twice about it. Her father was never in her life and her mother, who was black, told her to never speak when she was at school, because her voice would give her away. She lived during the time of segregation and attended all white schools. She told me she felt very unwanted because “ The blacks said they didn’t want nothing to do with me and I could never be myself around the whites…I always had to stay quiet.” She told me how hard it all was for her and how it caused her to just feel out of place.

[@sarawasson3251]

When an old document cites something like cruelty as the reason for a divorce, it may not be true. No-fault divorces didn’t exist in the US until 1969 (California,) so some type of wrongdoing had to be listed.

[@pkmcnett5649]

...and it was not always the man being cruel to the woman. Sometimes, the cruelty was on the woman's part.

[@stephanienwadieiiamhybasia]

Such a brave man. He was Incognegro. I appreciate his remembering his father and what happened in the hospital.😥. ❤Love him.

[@nytn]

so so brave

[@gazoontight]

Keep up the great work.

[@joecutro7318]

Thanks, Danielle. Great post. This is such a journey. I have only just begun mine which beyond my grandparents is all in Italy. If I'm ever on the east side of my state near Spokane, I'll let you know to see if you would like me to take any photos of gravestones, etc. 😊👍🏼 It's about 3-4 hours from me and I have good friends in Walla Walla who I visit often on that side.

[@abrahamisaacmuciusiii9192]

You should do a video on the Cuban ancestry of the late singer and actor Sammy Davis, Jr.

[@Mimi-ht6xr]

His mama was Puerto Rican and a dancer with the Cotton Club. His father was a black entertainer as well.

[@crystalfreeland1153]

My daddy was dark complected with jet black hair and ice blue eyes. In the summer, he would get DARK. His mom claimed he had Native ancestry. He was born in McCreary Co, KY in 1934. When he passed away in 1992, many people were shocked when visiting the funeral home. My dad was dark, made up and people remarked that he looked remarkably like George Jefferson in the casket. I believe he was Melungeon. I miss him so much.

[@InimitableAde]

11:33 _his_ mark. He couldn't write and someone signed on his behalf.

[@kayenjee]

Did you know that the Houston Public Library (TX) has a genealogy library? It's supposed to be good, but I haven't checked it out.

[@nytn]

No! That sounds like a must do

[@leotajackson5602]

I had family members who it seems did this! When my grandfather died his sister came by herself. That was the only time I saw her. When she died her husband sent an obituary after the fact 😢

[@acebutterfly2725]

Yes, something is definitely being kept a secret.

[@MissEve911]

On the Selective Service called the notation of the “X” refers states “his mark”

[@gazoontight]

His mark would have been made by him if he was illiterate. I believe that someone would have had to witness the making of the mark for it to be legal. But obviously someone did because the form is completed.

[@nytn]

That makes sense! Also how sad - I kept seeing this for various siblings 😪

[@philamoureux675]

We're all Greatfull for You Cousin.

[@melissaford717]

I was born on Lola's 70th birthday in Philadelphia, PA. I'll think of her every July 17th from here on out. You take care 🙂

[@nytn]

aw thank you, how sweet!

[@melissaford717]

@nytn you're welcome! I just recently found your channel and became invested in Lola's life and your journey. And that was before I saw her birthday ♋️🦀🙂. I come from a family that had secrets and know the generational trauma that comes with it. Take care 🙂

[@nytn]

So glad to have you here with me, and I’ll be remembering your birthday too☺️ ha ha

[@renaenolen8461]

Looking at the early puc of Lola, you favor her alot.

[@RR448]

Wonder if any relation to Ross perot

[@susannayeakel5447]

Did you google James E. Perreault? He's on Find a Grave in Spokane, Washington.

[@nytn]

Thank you!! I emailed the church out there it that’s all the info that had:( I was hoping they had some more

[@susannayeakel5447]

@@nytn I also saw that there might be a divorce Record for James E Perrault in Spokane on Ancestry from the 1960s or 70s

[@helenhunter4540]

Your wallet can be stolen or lost! Make a copy for your wallet and keep the original in a safe place.

[@habibahq4272]

THE FRENCH THING. How come people believed French were dark but not "Black"? Was it okay to be "black" from anywhere but America? Your family is gorgeous by the way. All of them.

[@boogermaiden]

It depends. Coz many old tribes of people who migrated to different parts of the world would be dark skinned but not black (very early groups)? Like environmental adaptation? Many reasons to get dark skin, and may have features similar to Black people, but not particularly of African descent? That's a possible reason.

[@habibahq4272]

@@boogermaiden would they have appeared "mulatto"? I was wondering why it would just be brushed off like...French was an acception and yet still "white". I have seen strong evidence that the Hugenots were indeed "black" by phenotype in many cases. "Black" does not mean African...nor does Negro.

[@Thomas_Oklahoma]

It's a shame that Lola felt the need to hid the Black and Native ancestry in her family. Back then Black folks were dealing with Jim Crow and the Natives were dealing with federal genocidal policies such as boarding schools era and dictating/oppressing tribal affairs.

[@babyboy562]

Black folks are the true Indians buddy your kind migrated here from Siberia and Mongolia……please stop trying to erase us we were the ones who first me the Europeans!!!! We are Copper and you are clearly peach pink recessive no hate just stating facts!!!! ✊🏾🗿🏹💪🏾🪶🙌🏾🐢🌎 Bonampak Murals never lie!!!

[@sandraconley4025]

FYI, some people's race changed yearly based on the enumerator's determining of the person's race. The enumerator would often rely on the information provided by neighbors.

[@ginagaladriel]

Yes, "x" as signature means that the person did not know how to read/write

[@stevenschwartzhoff1703]

I would wonder if "cruelty" as a grounds for divorce was a way people dealt with no-fault divorce when the both just wanted out. No need to implicate others, like infidelity, and evidence is just their word. Maybe he was an abuser, but maybe the agreed just "let us end this" too. With no court transcript, how can you tell

[@paneofrealitychannel8204]

Reading some of the comments- it's infuriating. I hate that she went to New York and was made to feel ashamed of her identity. I can assure you that this did not happen to her in her home state, where she was surrounded by tens of thousands of people just like her. You are welcome here anytime!

[@TheOfficialNpcMosskit]

They look like true Natives - the men are handsome

[@malindawilczynski2774]

My grandmother did the same thing. All photos were kept at the bottom of a trunk, and she told her children not to ever let anyone see them because they were "Indians" and people would be predjudiced to them because of this. My mother said many looked african. They were gone by the time I came along. She also cut off contact with much of her relatives, except siblings. The family was from the Harlan Co, KY, and Lee County VA area where there are many melungeons. My DNA test did bear this out, showing african ancestry.

[@Myopinionmattersthemost]

I have a 3rd great aunt Lodisca who became Dixie. Names were always changing.

[@nytn]

always changing !

[@Jenjen-qc5eq]

Danielle, it would be great if you looked into actresses of the 30s who hid their ethnicity, eg Merle Oberon and Vivien Leigh, Carol Channing of the 50s and the Black writer Anatole Broyard. Also, do a segment on Hollywood and how they portrayed issues of Blacks passing for Whites, eg Pinky, Imitation of Life and the 2021 film Passing, starring the Black Irish actress Ruth Negga. It wasn't only Blacks who passed for Whites there were also South Asians, ie India. There were also Black actresses, eg Fredi Washington, who could have easily passed for White but refused to do so, apparently, she would go into White-only shops and buy sandwiches for her Black friends and crew members. By the way, I love your channel you are clearly on the road to self-discovery.

[@wendychapman7261]

Dinah Shore also.

[@shazza160]

@@wendychapman7261Freddie Mercury

[@kcn7826]

my grandparents were from Campti who lived on Black Lake, my mother would be like your grandmother far as having the pure mulatto blood, once she had children it guided her children away from that mulatto bloodline

[@deanjones2525]

Have you checked death notices in the newspapers of the day?

[@nytn]

I should look more! I know her parents had already passed but maybe I missed something

[@deanjones2525]

@@nytn School records may be able to shed some light on your search, also.

[@welcometomrgseducation2153]

Though my context is South Africa during Apartheid, there are close parallels of ethnic identity and being ambiguous in looks

[@nytn]

That is something I keep meaning to learn more about!

[@boogermaiden]

They have their own categorising of people in SA. Look up "Tyla" the singer. People are going nuts that she identified as "coloured" in SA, but Americans kinda want her to identify as Black. Not knowing SA has another system for categorising people that's also rooted in apartheid. ​@@nytn

[@Lily_of_the_Forest]

What was your great-grandfather like? How did he treat Lola? Did he know she was more mixed than she claimed? I hope they had a peaceful marriage.

[@nytn]

I wish I knew more about him! Everything I heard was that he was a wonderful man. He actually died quite young and she was left widowed with eight young children in New York. My aunt and uncles explained a little bit more about that in episode two of the series. It was a pretty shocking story. he must’ve known a lot about Lola, because he met her while he was working in Louisiana. I’m assuming he met her parents and all of that. I have never been able to find their marriage certificate though.

[@GazilionPT]

6:32 "Recuerdo de sus hijos" in this context means something like "A memorial [erected] by his children".

[@The1ByTheSea]

Wow,one learns something new everyday ;I was not aware of Chinese indentured servants in Louisiana ? I had heard of Chinese indentured servants in Mexico ( even in Spanish Colonial times : Manila Galleon ) ,Cuba,Jamaica , Belize Costa Rica and Peru .

[@asahallberg-vonde2029]

Thanks. Thats not a Amerikan (problem). I want you to look at the film Sameblod, Samiblood. Thats a Swedish film,about a sohn that didnt know his mothers real story.❤

[@kayjohnson506]

About 90 percent certain you're family. So many questions I would love to ask but nervous about bringing up some stuff to my grandma.

[@nytn]

I asked a cousin we have in common, she knew who you were :)

[@geminiaqua-i6d]

4:42 ar those Lola siblings?

[@nytn]

yes