Did our family hide our ancestry?

#findingyourroots #ancestrydna #dnatest #louisiana #nativeamerican #creole #familyhistory
The documentary- series "Finding Lola" is done, but is the journey over?
I sat down with my brother (Lola's great grandson) to talk about what it was like growing up with our grandmother and our hidden ancestry.
Grab your own Ancestry DNA test now*! : amzn.to/3UxGKJx
Connect with me on FB! / findinglolafilm
Want to support this project? / about
Want to rewatch any of "Finding Lola"? Here's the series:
Watch the Episode 1 that started the whole journey:
• In 1930, our ethnicity...
Watch Episode 2 here:
• Our ancestry was hidde...
Watch Episode 3 here:
• I learned why my famil...
Watch Episode 4 here:
• Is my ancestry journey...
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Come join me on a new docu-series that explores identity, racial tensions in the South during the 20th century, and the unique experiences of those who historically called Louisiana home.
My name is Danielle Romero, and all my life, I have romanticized Louisiana.
Growing up in New York, it represented a place where I could step back the sepia-toned life of my great grandmother, Lola Perot, who died before I was born.
Now, it was time to go back to Louisiana--although I had no idea what the truth would be or what questions to ask---who was Lola really? Who were we?
*Amazon links are affiliate links. If buy something through these links, we may earn affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting this project!

[@amortranquilo661]

This right here! When he talks about what all his ancestors had to do to get to the point where he can now just watch an evening of Netflix. Same for me when I was in a rigorous professional medical graduate program and would feel so tired of daily memorization and test taking. I remember one night I just didn't want to study, then I looked around ~ I'd just finished eating really good food, was propped up on feather pillows on the bed, turned on classical music (helps with memorization and relaxation for brain) ~ and I thought of my grandmother having to get water from the river to do laundry, and pull up well water to drink, chop wood for woodburning stove to cook/heat, etc etc etc Having 10 kids and living rural life where they raised their own food. And then I thought WOW! you feel tired and don't "feel" like studying all these things that you Love to study! She didn't even have the Opportunity to think on such things, much less the Opportunity to go study them. But you can't bust the books tonight. On what you Love and enjoy anyway. It stacks up differently when you think about it all like that. The things that are available to us now ~ with some effort. I had the "luxury" of having the time to Study ~ even in the busy modern world. So I stepped outside for 5 min and looked at the stars and breathed fresh air. And went back inside and got to memorizing! B/c after all, I had a microwave, washing machine access, a car, etc. And I loved what I was learning. So how hard can it be?? My grandma set me up to be strong. She prayed for me before I was born. The vibe is Real! Keep steady. Make your ancestors proud.

[@nytn]

Reading this was medicine for the soul! You explained beautifully what I feel.... It literally has changed my outlook on my life to connect and reflect with my family story. We are not operating or living in a vacuum, but on a timeline, whether we know who came before us or not. Thank you for sharing that encouragement!

[@christicorbin4454]

That was beautiful.

[@thinktank2255]

I’m African American, and for centuries White people have had the WRONG ideology about people of African ancestry or Black people. First of all, African Americans are proud of ourselves. We love ourselves, and especially our MELANIN (i.e.,BROWN skin). Furthermore, people of African ancestry are NOT subhumans. We are the first modern humans.

[@janedoe1229]

Wow! Where did this emotion come from? This is their story that is developing before their eyes as well as our own eyes. Allow them time to sort it out. Should they have a history of practicing anti black sentiment they have to wrestle with it; not you. You are correct. Blacks are not subhuman. Blacks have done amazing things in America. You should be proud of those accomplishments.

[@kudjoeadkins-battle2502]

@@janedoe1229wow, why are you offended by his statement? I didn’t see anything emotional in his comment.

[@MrResearcher122]

@@janedoe1229 His or her comment is more than correct. There's a misconception pushed by the media that people of African heritage are ashamed of it and their color. Most of the African diaspora, and the mixed ones in it, love their African heritage, and are proud of the their skin colour. Whiteness isn't aspired too as much as light brownness (if they are victims of colorism among the diaspora). No one is, really, into being white either in America or in Europe, as both are less powerful in a world of rising non-European powers and birth rates.

[@TruthIsLikeTheSun]

​@janedoe1229 One correction or addition to your statement. Blacks have done amazing things all over the world, including on the continent of Africa. In the USA, Black Americans' history often starts with slavery and little to nothing is ever taught about the great civilizations, empires and kingdoms of North, South, Central, East & West Africa, except for Egypt, maybe. Black people's history, whether lost, strayed, or stolen, begins long before Europeans and Arabs colonized, raped and robbed it of its greatest resources, including human resources.

[@freespirit.guidedbyangels.1586]

This family doesn't look black. But they don't look white. Definitely. Mixed. And it's Beautiful

[@peachbottomblues9944]

Really? I don’t think they would be considered mixed anywhere in the US. They look ethnic but they don’t look “mixed” race. Had she not proclaimed it, no one would’ve asked if they were bi or tri-racial. Her grandmother, yes, but not the grandchildren.

[@fridayfosternow6787]

Maybe not to you but my Black family looks like this, we are the spectrum from light complexion to dark skin complexion resembling other cultures.. African Amercan's are not a monolith in appearance or origin.

[@Elias_Truth]

@@peachbottomblues9944they look mixed to me but I realize everyone isn’t familiar with mixed features unless you come from a mixed family. We have every color in my family.

[@maryamkim1281]

They look mixed-race!!! Of course. It's so obvious😂

[@sallyintucson]

ALL your ancestors got you where you are today, not just Lola. (Though she was the surprise in your tree.) I can’t tell you how many people have come up to me and asked “What are you?” My answer is always “A woman.” said with a straight face.

[@nytn]

LOL I love it! I always reply "I'm a New Yorker'.

[@TimeTraveller010]

>, < I have that all the time: You don't look Italian, I thought you were french, or Greek, or jewish, or Austrian...

[@sarawoods7874]

My husband's mother is like that, she doesn't know any background on family and acts like she doesn't care to know. It almost makes me think that she does know something she doesn't want anyone to know. She did give a child up for adoption and doesn't want us to find him until she passes but I'm buying my husband a DNA test asap

[@nytn]

Oh my goodness, that is heartbreaking. I think the last generation or two had a lot they hoped to leave in the past but DNA tests can change everything as far as finding family

[@janedoe1229]

All the clues are there that says she has a secret. This story been told too many times to not know the ending.

[@janedoe1229]

If you ever find the time, please read THE BLACKER THE BERRY, A FAMILY MEMOIR and sequel FINDING GRACE. Excellent book on PASSING. Excellent read

[@lorettacook1754]

I guess it's truly a shock to find.out that you are not what you thought you were. I had an aunt that could have passed for white and yet she decided to be black. She does have a white side to her family and it seems like she was welcomed into their family. The story is that her father raped quite a few black women. I have never been able to verify that. I was provided with a picture of his family and truthfully it looks like they were passing It is really interesting.

[@susantriance5219]

If he matches with the child given up & the child / adult wants to connect what are the consequences for your husband’s family 😮

[@brindisi2brooklyn]

I’m African American and I wish my grandmother could have just left the racist south and “created “ a new existence. Most black people cant create a new reality. The world doesn’t allow dark skinned people to do that.

[@nytn]

both sides are heartbreaking for me, and the way it changes experiences for future generations

[@denisehenry3427]

Thanks to my ancestors for staying black 🖤 . They had it hard, but with hard work and prayers they created a legacy. The 8 generations are made up of African, Native American, Irish and German. We are a colorful bunch. We enjoy waiting for the arrival of new babies. It like a box of chocolate, you never know what your going to get. Thanks for sharing your story. I hope you realize that you don't have to make a choice of being one or the other. Learn your history and be you. ♥

[@nytn]

@@denisehenry3427 Denise, thank you so much. I am jealous of those who got to grow up knowing who they were, but I can at least give it to my kids now. Glad to have you here:)

[@williamoleschoolarendt7016]

Just like my sisters who know nothing about our lineage! If my father wouldn't have had the race talk with me I probably would have never found out what I know now! My father was treated terrible in the military during ww2 and he basically instilled in us that we are all children of God and skin color means nothing! My father was the most non racist man I knew and he wanted his children to be the same! He believed that it was totally disrespectful to judge a person by their skin color and I raised my children with the same values! I personally believe that it starts with the parents if we are ever going to get past racism! 💯

[@bippityboppityboo2u]

Great conversation, I appreciate the edit on the more respectful phrases of our ancestors. What an exciting time be alive. Our ancestors wildest dreams.

[@nytn]

I filmed this before learning about those much better phrases. Always learning! And I agree, an amazing time to be alive!!

[@jbtpa895]

Your brother is what we refer to as ambiguously ethnic. My SIL is like that. Italian,Hispanic, middle eastern. Depending on how he was dressed he would be believable as any one of these. My SIL is actually Italian,African-Belizean,Mayan, Scottish.

[@khutchinsoncpa1]

As I explored my family history, I recognized how much suffering and death had to occur for me to exist, just in the past four generations. I feel a little like an arrow of hope and determination shot into the future. I am sorrowful over the pain, and I am excited and grateful to be alive.

[@nytn]

Kimberly, that's exactly how I feel :)

[@BronxRisen]

Hello my NY sister, I have so been waiting for you to post! I’ve also found out info about my family since your last post. Such as my great grandmother was married at the age of 15 and had my grandmother at 16. She obtained the name Ridley through marriage, but was maiden fleetwood. I too tracked her to NC, but instead of Ahoskie I found her apart of chowan county. Also found this county is derivative of native chowanoke. Either way I found her mother Annie in chowanoke county almost being documented as going through a naturalization process that is where I have now found my great great grandmother….. I share this bc I had no idea and now know why my grandmother always teased of my high cheek bones and reddish brown skin, but I had no idea of this! The more I watch the more I learn about my own!

[@JaneAtwellRobinson1825NY]

This may signify that she is widowed as the citizenship of the wife usually followed that of the husband depending on the era etc. There are cases where American-born women lose their citizenship after marrying foreign-born men. You may want to look more into this as I am not very familiar with citizenship procedures, but they are very helpful at NARA (National Archives).

[@nytn]

Oh my goodness, my grammy was married at 16! It was crazy to me. I don't know about the chowanoke, you will need to fill me in!! This is so exciting!!

[@nytn]

fantastic tip!

[@BronxRisen]

@@JaneAtwellRobinson1825NYthank you I am trying ❤️🙌🏾🙏🏽

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

The more I watch, the more I'm drawn in, and the more I admire Lola for all she was sent here to unravel. Thanks, NYTN---for the soup my soul needs.

[@nytn]

We all have these beautiful ties to the past, it is a wonderful journey to figure out the mystery! I feel so much joy in it. Glad you are here :)

[@jimmyalfonda3536]

Damn they really look syrian or Iraqi.

[@odomenterprise1888]

During slavery, women were raped and had children that looked white. They were either taken and raised as white or when she was freed, she had the chow in plain sight. You will have to start when they first created the first certificate to get a lot of information because the information the family have would have been in a Bible. My grandfather Ford in the confederate war, as well as some of the Indians in my family that had a ship call US Odom, a lot of Indians and Africans before in the confederate war so the white men didn’t have to or they protect the line and was killed before b

[@cottageindustry3040]

Damn girl, your brother is sooooo cute!

[@nytn]

😂

[@delgadojonesable]

My guy you are definitely a person of color, look at that lined up fade😂😂❤️💯💯💯

[@Calhorsey]

Man, can I relate. even though I'm "white" I've thought about how I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the natives and slaves. Also, I feel like their struggle was so hard to get us here, I feel almost like I can't live up to it.

[@nytn]

I wonder if we dont need to "live up to it" but simply find the thing we were meant to do, and do it really well. Something I do think about, too.

[@thinktank2255]

Africans were ENSLAVED, not born to be slaves. All the negative ideologies about people of African ancestry by Caucasians are FALSE. Africans are the first modern humans, and we love who we are as people of African ancestry.

[@kudjoeadkins-battle2502]

You don’t have anything to live up to Brother. Just acknowledge it, and share that sentiment with your friends. Regardless of the past we are all in this together now.

[@twansolo]

You hit the nail on the head. I do come from a long line of slaves who persevered through so much. I'm 44 & talk to my grandmother all the time about the hardships she & our relatives went through just to make it as poor people of color in Kentucky. I live every single day trying to be the best I can just out of respect for what they went through just to get me here.

[@MrResearcher122]

Black Irish are all over Ireland, and Colin Farrel types in appearance. There's a strong Latin look in the West of Ireland, including Ulster (Donegal, Derry region).

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

I enjoy hearing your family's reaction to these revelations. You and your brother are so cute here - are you twins or close in age? It will be interesting to hear the reactions of your other siblings, if they desire to be a part of this discovery journey.. Thanks for sharing, Danielle. ❤

[@nytn]

I feel like pinning this comment. LOL. I'm the oldest kid, we are ALMOST 6 years apart. If i can pass for 31 I WILL DO IT.

[@nancyshrout-wankowski7147]

You must be really close; you almost finish each other's sentences but respectfullu, and you both say "like" almost every other word.

[@nytn]

@@nancyshrout-wankowski7147 I normally edit out my "likes"....But I said it SO much I couldnt even do that! Haha. I actually had not seen him in a long long time before this. He's a kindred spirit for sure though. I love that you could see it!

[@kitty_s23456]

@@nytn I thought that you were maybe 2 or 3 years apart. But yeah, you can pass for 30! I'm still enjoying your journey of discovering your ancestors. Btw, your bro looks Italian, but he can pass for mixed black and can also be an actor in a Mexican telenovela! (that's a compliment - he's a cutie). Keep on keeping on! Greets from PH. 🇵🇭 💐👍🏼

[@Mcgturtle3]

When I think of an Italian dude your brother comes to mind. Phenotypes vs genotypes is crazy

[@nytn]

He'll love that! We are more Italian than anything else, and he feels much more comfortable with that side. I have always been drawn to the mysterious side though...my other brothers agreed to come on and they look totally different. :)

[@nytn]

Grab your own Ancestry DNA test now! : amzn.to/3UxGKJx Buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/nytn13#linkModal Want to see the series "Finding Lola"? Watch the Episode 1 that started the whole journey: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYLTaJ2bg9WSr8k Watch Episode 2 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4HdgX6Jf8uem9E Watch Episode 3 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH3bkod4naiolbs Watch Episode 4 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXXdZ3mdp5ikors Connect with me on Facebook! facebook.com/findinglolafilm/ Want to support this project? www.patreon.com/NYTN/about Want to know more? www.findinglolafilm.com

[@egipad9037]

So, heres the plot twist. Where did the native americans come from and who are they? When you find out it will blow your mind!!!

[@elizabethcave7666]

I am so sorry that she needed to hide her ancestry.

[@ucity88]

It was a matter of SURVIVAL.

[@FourSeasons04]

Many people survived their circumstances without hiding their backgrounds.

[@carolynlane3439]

@@FourSeasons04 , many people had no choice. I wonder what traumas may have motivated her choice. Right or wrong, everyone needs to survive and make choices. Everyone has different abilities... and struggles in addition to Racism.

[@mariannerichard1321]

It's interesting how you mirror Lola. Of her 8 great-grand-parents, she would focus more on her patrilinear Perot who gave her the surname, the plausible "French from Louisiana" identity and the liberty that came with it and the different life it promises. But to you, the French identity feels so distant, your 4th great-grand-father, you are more interested in your own great-grand-mother, the matrilinear one, and her uncommon life story. Not that this makes you both weird in anyway, to see the focus of so many genealogy amateurs on either that one Native American ancestor, or that one noble ancestor, there are many books written on these topic because they are very popular. And it's all right to be intrigued by the ancestor with the unusual background, I have myself warmed up to my 4th great-grand-father form Antwerpen and his mother-in-law "I'm a widow with two late teen daughters, a 8 years old son and a farm to run, what should I do next... Let's take in a German mercenary!" Doesn't that sound much more exiting than 90% of the usual farmer families doing their farmer things, as endearing as they can be? Another ancestor family I'm a lot into is my 5th great-grand-mother on the matriline, a Catholic Scot refugee from the Outer Hebrides. And there's that couple, a French Baron and Penobscot women in Acadia, one of their son is sachem, another one is privateer. There also that one Swiss mercenary who worked under the Cardinal Richelieu, remember these baddies in red in the Three Musketeers? That's my ancestor! xD All that to say, it's all right to focus on the interesting ones, they often gives us a better view of the possibilities and limitations of their era, it makes the context of the life of the other ones more concrete.

[@nytn]

marianne, this was incredibly insightful. I have never thought about it the way you wrote out, and I need to sit with it and probably read it again a few times. There is something so appealing to my about the "unknown". Something we thought we might never have figured out...and here we are, kind of figuring it out. Surreal. That is not to say that there are not dozens of other branches in this family tree that are every bit as important! I love all of the family history you shared.... Cardinal Richelieu?! No way!!

[@Myraisins1]

This was fun listening in. I had a smile on for the entire conversation. Thanks for sharing!

[@nytn]

I always laugh with my brothers! :) Glad you got to hang with us, too!

[@telam1744]

If I knew nothing of your story, I would think that you and your brother were "Arabic."

[@nytn]

we get that a lot when we are around middle eastern people!

[@intodaysepisode...]

Danielle, this is the third brother I've seen and they are GORGEOUS! Its definitely a theme! You have a beautiful, blended heritage family! As a Louisianian, we are blessed to see the various ethnicities blended in aaaaall sorts of ways!

[@RememberKatrina2005]

I congratulate the amazing work that you've done in researching and sharing your family's story. Amazing

[@nytn]

Thank you so much!

[@rcafmaintainer3723]

Same, kudos. Much respect.

[@ceehach3386]

Have you googled Donnelly?....it means 'dark'

[@nytn]

LOL, I have not!

[@rjwalker20111]

I watched one of your videos and I remember seeing the last name Simien. I have ancestors from Louisiana with that last name in my Ancestry DNA match. It’s my belief that all of us are related and connected in more ways than we care to know.

[@nytn]

I agree! And I have some Simien DNA cousins, too. It’s beautiful how connected we all are I think

[@ejiofor8141]

I see Louisiana in both if you. I'm from New Orleans, and had classmates and teachers who looked like you but identified as solely black, or Creole. My friend's grandparents actually spoke Creole.

[@cynsi7604]

Funny thing; this is like the “typical” of typical males. Me looking at it through as my brother sitting there talking about our grandparents. My bro: “Well, I guess that could have been their name. 🤷🏻‍♂️ But I just called them “Mawmaw & Pawpaw” or “Granny & Grandpa”. 🤦🏻‍♀️ The most sibling thing ever, they never pay attention. 😁 ✌🏻

[@nytn]

LOL, he was honest at least

[@YouTubeBlueButterflies]

I work with a young man who is a mix similar to you. His great grandmother was African American and he's mainly Italian. I told about your channel so hopefully he'll check ✅ you out.

[@kellymartin3412]

The United States likes to change history to fit a narrative. I grew up believing I was Irish, English, Scottish and French. 23 and me says differently. Yes I am Irish and English, but I am not French. I have 0% French on my results. We figured out we were Portuguese before we took the tests. My sister followed the census records and discovered my 2nd great grandparents came over on the boat from Portugal. But we were not prepared for being 3% Ashkenazy Jewish, especially because we were raised catholic. But why lie about being Portuguese? It makes no sense to me. I guess it was different back then. Back then just like now immigrants are treated poorly. So I am assuming my great grandfather wanted to Americanize our family and make it so we were accepted by society as a whole. I was always told to stay out of the sun because Irish girls get a lot of freckles! Or in my case I burn so I have to use sunblock!

[@jazzythecat918]

My grandmother and my mother and my aunt's hide the fact they were half Portuguese and Spanish. I recall my great great aunt telling us our true family history when I was a child. They told us since she was my great grandfather half sister the history did not apply to us. After taking the 23 and me DNA test it turns out what my great great aunt said about us was all true. My mother refused to discuss it with me at all and didn't want me telling anyone, but my aunt was willing to discuss it but still wanted it kept a family secret. Upon further digging we learned my great grandmother was Brazilian. They lied because back then in the early 1900s their was lots of prejudices and it was easier to assimilate coming to America as a white Anglo Saxon if you could pass for one. All my other grandparents didn't lie about their heritage and were proud of it. Upon further digging on my grandmothers side we found someone from the late 1600s was from sub shara Africa and was black. Portugal was the first to do the slave trade, so we figured out some one was a slave owner. The DNA test said 1% sub shara African. So the history matched my DNA. I'm very glad my great great aunt talked openly as the whole story can't be found thru DNA testing alone.

[@kellymartin3412]

My mom talked about possible Spanish ancestry from when the Spain invaded Ireland. My mom was real open about her family history as much as she knew at any rate. I think she would have been surprised about the Ashkenazi Jewish because she was raised Irish catholic. But at any rate it was my fathers side that hide their Portuguese heritage. My 2nd great grandparents are from Portugal. I guess they never figured my blood hound of a sister would trace them through census papers. My great grandfather and my grandfather told us we were French. I was curious if we were French from France or French Canadian? My grandfather wasn’t sure. Hmmm. At any rate we have definite English and Irish. English line goes all the way back to Plymouth settlers that came over on the Mayflower. Apparently a couple of my ancestors formed and signed the Mayflower pact. It was actually the precursor for the constitution. I didn’t know a lot about my ancestry to knowing so much more than I did before! It’s confusing after 50 years of believing your French and having to say no. I am English , Irish, Portuguese and Ashkenazi Jewish. Now that I know I will not hide my roots from my family. It’s too important. There should be no shame in who you are.

[@lynntaylorbuccafuri5924]

Sounds familiar. My father said he was Portuguese. He was an orphan at 9, but never knew about his family. He was born 1919 in Philadelphia, knew nothing, he assumed his darker skin was from being Portuguese. He hated that they used to treat him as if he were black back in the day wanting him to sit on the back of the bus, etc, and sadly became a little prejudice. I learned that his father was a mulatto born in Jamaica. And his father was a “freed negro” and his mother was a “free woman of color” also born in Jamaica. His mother was born on the Island of Terceira, Angra do Heroismo, Azore islands Portugal. I also found out that even though he raised me on his own, without my mother, I wasn’t his biological daughter so my oldest half sister and a male cousin of hers test their dna do that I could continue the search. This is how I found the information on his father and grandparents in Jamaica. I never thought it would be this difficult!

[@carolynlane3439]

@@jazzythecat918 Brazilians speak Portuguese and are a mixture of African, Indigeonous and Portuguese descent among other ethnicities... Racism plays out differently in different places but it had legal and social implications... Legal whiteness meant rights to citizenship... employment, property ownership, marriage, transportation, education... finding out about hidden heritage would mean the loss of life as one new it in many ways... more than an issue of pride. Children are know for telling family business so... imagine if that meant eviction, or worse...

[@jazzythecat918]

@@carolynlane3439 yes, I'm well aware that Brazilians speak Portuguese. I'm also well aware of the dangers and prejudices they faced pretending to be something they were not back then. My issue is I asked my mother about it when I was a grown woman of 35 years old in 2010 and she refused to discuss it with me. I did get my aunt to tell me all about it. Turns out that side had money because they owned a candy factory and a ggg aunt married a doctor. My mother really had no rational reason why she couldn't talk to me about it.

[@Ama94947]

Interesting, he actually looks more 'white" or is more White passed than you are 😲

[@Sonia-xu5dv]

Oh wow!!! Brown and Black is present in you guys!!

[@philamoureux675]

I can't wait for You to Do Your Dad's side. That could be an Eye-opener as well.

[@nytn]

I think so, too! Im pretty sure I was like 15% Egyptian from his Italian side 😂

[@philamoureux675]

@nytn I thought You'd get a kick out of That. I found out through Ancestry on Thru Lines, that as well as the Creole, Cajun, Metis, and Melugeon on Dad's side, one of My Great Grandfather's, was Russian, Finnish,Swedish, as well as Algerian, and Tunisian. There still some Petersens in Tunisia,and Algeria that have contacted Me.

[@nytn]

@@philamoureux675 That is wild!!

[@cynthiapickett8577]

I have many of these same ethnicities too!

[@nakuro2686]

Do any of your family have children or relationship with darker skin people?

[@nytn]

My husband is half puerto rican/mexican. He knew right away that My family had the heritage we did, even before I did!

[@nakuro2686]

@NYTN yea we always recognize each other 🩷

[@dario1837]

👍👍

[@OreliaLatrice]

Awesome conversation, Danielle! 😊

[@nytn]

Thank you!! 😊

[@OreliaLatrice]

@@nytn Welcome! ☺️

[@chrissyf1295]

You look so much like your grandmother Lola. Beautiful. So cool to follow on your journey.

[@nytn]

That is an incredible compliment. I look up to her dearly.

[@sueandrews2562]

I believe that there are alot of grammies out there.

[@nytn]

I never would have believed it before!

[@aquelpibe]

Danielle, you say your father is Italian. How come your surname is Romero, a typical Spanish surname? Honest question. I only watched one or two of your videos, maybe this was addressed in one.

[@davidpayne706]

Of course they hated it

[@paulacribb56]

Every video you do just gives me more and more hope!!! Happy New Year!!

[@nytn]

This is so amazing. Sometimes I get really frustrated with what still don't know or brick walls in the genealogy, but I think I would be sad if I had figured it all out already too! Haha

[@leotajackson5602]

My mom told me very little about her ancestors. But the little she knew points to members of my family "passing". I learned a lot after my DNA testing.

[@jdagreat4595]

The crazy thing is i have cousins 2nd cousins that look just like you, it’s crazy because black has so many different shades so the admixture’s very which is so amazing to see 🙌🏽

[@rcafmaintainer3723]

Great perspective in saying , we owe our ancestors to keep going!! They had no choice but to keep going under adverse conditions!!

[@sean808080]

Just happened on this channel doing my own family history. The things we learn are so fascinating. What a great interview and a terrific perspective. Nicely done to both of you, although clearly one is doing the hard work 🙂

[@nytn]

Thank you for being here!

[@jerometurner8759]

Gotta say, you are a great looking family. Good genes.

[@sareeyemanusqaame8723]

Lola looks like you or you look like Lola

[@nytn]

:)

[@peachbottomblues9944]

Are you sitting on an extra large piece of baklava?

[@nytn]

I wish

[@peachbottomblues9944]

@@nytn your couch does look like one tho…if you’re hungry especially

[@shirleyanthony5840]

Wish she could find my ancestors

[@sparker4444]

I came for the fascinating story but got distracted by that beautiful sofa, please tell me where you got it. Thanks

[@nytn]

lol I felt the same way! It was in the common area of my brother's building in Dallas💔

[@theorderofthebees7308]

I so appreciate- you interviewing your brother - I have seen your other videos and they are great , but the relaxed feeling of this video is wonderful

[@nytn]

I love this video, too! It was just a lot of fun to talk and laugh

[@JaneAtwellRobinson1825NY]

I wanna hear what sort of trouble your grandmother would get into unless you (maybe) stopped her! ** New video needed! ** My mother's family was so naturally proper that there is STILL a story circulating about my uncle scratching his stomach at the dinner table when he was a little child about 70 YEARS LATER because he's 74 now. That is how proper they are. There is no bending of reality with that family. Reality is such that if you behave yourself, button those shoes, tighten that bun, all things will be well.

[@nytn]

Grammy had a mindset (Im guessing informed by extreme hardship and poverty as a child) that a business or company has a lot of margin....that is to say, you can buy and return ANYTHING, even a chicken. Literally, buy a chicken, eat most of it and return it for a refund. That was edited out but very much a part of this sit-down.... LOL. I love hearing about "proper" families. My husband's maternal grandmother was Britsh-American and ...yeah, totally different grandma experience HAHA

[@JaneAtwellRobinson1825NY]

@@nytn did you ever read MAUS? The author goes on about how his dad returns a box of cereal half-eaten and when they don't give him his money, he goes on about the Holocaust etc and they gave him money back lolz!!! It was so cringe-y it was hilarious, and of course it's a cartoon book so... what an interesting way to tell these family stories. I learnt recently that Harriet Tubman lived a bit up the road from my second great-grandparents' farm. I had NO IDEA from reading the old newspapers. Oh, but my second great-grandmother Frances "Frank" Gates Robinson was in the news so often I actually stopped bothering to clip each "news" piece about her "motoring to Canada" or her daughter graduating from Emerson University in 1911 etc etc. I kept the important ones but it was just too much to clip every social event out. But Harriet Tubman? You would think she didn't exist in that town! Yet it seems the paparazzi were crouching outside behind a bush near Frank's rural mailbox, just waaaiting to see if the postman would come by with a parcel that day. And would she visit the Hoyts next Sunday? Pick up the paper and find out!! Reputation and family connection were everything until recently in NY/ New England states. Your MOTHER probably instinctively knew this and was embarrassed, but your GRANDMOTHER didn't have cash or connections. She had children who would go hungry if she didn't improvise.

[@m.d.1873]

Love the conversation. It's about realizing we are all people. This generation doesn't care about other's struggles until they can relate...e.g. a loved one...

[@jannislewis13]

I think you are just trying to survive.

[@nytn]

100% agree with you

[@michaelbenton1434]

As a native Louisianian who has relocated to upstate New York, I am curious to know why you guys chose to both look move to the South.

[@frederickgriffith7004]

I so appreciate these two young people talk honestly about their experiences. My mother, maternal grandfather and nearly my maternal grandfather's entire family were all White passing French speaking creoles from Louisiana. They used to always say they could tell their own no matter how light the skin or straight the hair. The African gene is so strong. Even I could see this in the young man. Although most people may see him as a very light skinned Hispanic. The young lady reminds me of my baby sister as a young woman. And like my sister, I can honestly say she has a universal look. Nobody, not even Black people, would ever think that my sister is of African Ancestry. My mother and she had no problem identifying as African American because of my beautiful and much darker skinned maternal grandmother. My maternal grandmother had Haitian, French and Native American Ancestry on both sides of her family. GENES are so arbitrary. Such a rainbow coalition of colors and hair textures are present in the grandchildren of my older brother and baby sister. There were members of my maternal grandfather's family who did leave the state of Louisiana to pass as White. Two of his paternal Uncles actually went to France in the early 1900s.With Ancestry DNA family members are coming out of the woodwork. All of them look drop dead White to the naked eye. But what is incredible that even with the straight hair and white skin,some still resemble much darker members of the family in terms of the nose,lips and other facial features. Even the eye color. These newly discovered family members had ancestors 3 to 4 generations removed. Just incredible. That's why I will always believe that race is just a social construct. There is just one race.The human race.

[@nytn]

I hope you appreciate those NY bagels. I went to grad school in Nashville and wasnt planning on staying but it's been 12 years! My brother moved to Dallas because NYC just isn't what it used to be. I hate being cold, so I think I probably need to keep going south at some point...

[@nytn]

I agree with you wholly! I love finding out "who" someone resembles in the family, but at the end of the say, things are not binary, but a spectrum of beautiful mixes of heritage. The DNA side is cool but the family ties are literally priceless to me, and they were almost lost BECAUSE of the focus on race. Thank you for sharing about your family!

[@michaelbenton1434]

@@nytn he said 'for now' he was in Dallas, which gave me hope that at least one of the two of you would return North! I prefer cooler climates over the humidity, but to each their own! I've thoroughly enjoyed watching you unravel Lola's journey. It's been fascinating and heartwarming watching you discover these connections

[@nytn]

@@michaelbenton1434 He told me he can't stay in Dallas anymore. LOL! I am so glad you are here on the journey with us. I love the community :) :)

[@marlonransomlifestylefitne3565]

Respect!

[@justicesmith1934]

Yup I have been awaiting on this next upload

[@nytn]

that is so cool!

[@TimeTraveller010]

I don't wanna be French...>, < Justin and Danielle, both of you can easily pass as Sicilian or Southern Italian. And you're miscegenates? Does it matter? I think you both look great for your identify. Naturally Danielle is beautiful....

[@hansmarheim7620]

What does it matter if you are "black" or "white"?. Or in between?.

[@nytn]

It shouldn't. But the issues around those "colors" are why we didn't know about the other side of our family

[@maryamkim1281]

Really, Hans?