Why Lola hid our family photos

#ancestry #findingyourroots #nytn #ancestry #findingyourroots #familyhistory #genealogy
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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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@marthaanncoles176]

Family stories are so important!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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...

[@ListenUpDemocracy]

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

[@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

[@bettyjenkins2162]

Great pictures of your beautiful family

[@conniewagner4234]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@jayregal6478]

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

[@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!

[@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 😊 ❤

[@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.

[@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..

[@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 :)

[@mind_of_a_darkhorse]

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

[@lyndaclough3462]

She looks so happy to be with them.

[@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?

[@rroadmap]

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

[@annatomasso5226]

Always enjoy your content!

[@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.

[@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.

[@richardwilliamswilliams]

Good morning neighbor lady. Always enjoy your programs!😊

[@nytn]

Good morning! :) good to see ya

[@annecollins1741]

I enjoy watching your videos. Keep them coming.

[@julesmum9781]

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

[@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.

[@user-ld5sb5tq4g]

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.

[@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.

[@ejiofor8141]

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

[@Sandi533]

So interesting! Thx for sharing your family .

[@bryonbiondolillo6545]

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

[@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.

[@paulacribb56]

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

[@nytn]

Great to see you! 💕

[@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..🤷🏽‍♀️

[@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.

[@stephanienwadieiiamhybasia]

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

[@franciscophile6281]

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

[@nytn]

You are so welcome!

[@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!!

[@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.

[@ensabahnur7657]

Thanks for sharing!🙏💖

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@pugdaddi]

Such a beautiful American story thank you for sharing

[@nytn]

Thank you for being here!

[@tevincoolbeats]

this great love your family stories

[@gazoontight]

Keep up the great work.

[@philamoureux675]

We're all Greatfull for You Cousin.

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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!

[@IndomitableAde]

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

[@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

[@Susie_theOfficial]

They look like true Natives - the men are handsome

[@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!

[@cosmicrae]

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

[@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 😪

[@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

[@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.

[@laverneclark8191]

Thanks!

[@nytn]

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

[@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.

[@Myopinionmattersthemost]

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

[@nytn]

always changing !

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@GazilionPT]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@ginagaladriel]

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

[@roberttatarko5413]

Don't keep that picture in your wallet. It will eventually get damaged or lost

[@nytn]

You are right! 😪 I’ll get a little frame

[@abrahamisaacmuciusiii9192]

You always put out the most interesting videos on race relations. Also, did your great grandmother's story make you interested in American history?

[@FCntertainr]

He's a handsome guy

[@JCSAXON]

@@nytnYou’d probably really enjoy a personal 4”x6” photo printer if you haven’t tried one out yet. They’re fun in that you can just link up directly to your phone. Advice (just in case) for your old photos, It’s always best to allow space between your images and the glass for breathing . I’ve framed for decades & it’s terrible to see family archives adhered to the glazing! ❤

[@nytn]

I love this idea! I have so many old photos and I don’t want them to be ruined

[@Wheelchairspeeder]

Wow your grandma looks alot like my family and my name is Lola as well and I'm doing my own family research in Tx and don't feel alone and I get it im native American and anglo and some African American myself and your grandma looks alot like some of my kin..never know when we could be kin and not even know it..but I get it..if you have any Campbell and walker kin from Oklahoma..then hello cousin..if not its all good and enjoy your story

[@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.

[@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!

[@KentPetersonmoney]

So your great grandmother didn't take any of her kids to see her family. Wonder if her kids thought it was werid they never had grandparents, aunts or uncles from thier mom side visiting the?

[@pinkiesue849]

My one set of grandparents never had their southern relatives visit because they had moved north of the Mason Dixon line

[@jonathanborchardt891]

When family will not talk, you k.ow the answer all ready. Btdt

[@nytn]

👆yep

[@jonathanborchardt891]

I need a DNA test anyway. Starting to wonder about my Mississippi grandfather who left family behind, and came to Texas. Funny how some bragg about our Indian side, but other side........ Still a concrete blonde with blue eyes.

[@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.

[@cosmicrae]

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]

@@cosmicrae 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.

[@bandxdwayne]

I’m curious to know if you have tried to connect with your great grandfather’s side of the family yet since his parents disowned him. It would be interesting to see if he or his was ever mentioned to them. Or are they Stiiiilllll salty about it.

[@jayste9334]

Oh oh oh... Ouachita (Washitaw) County...the mound builders. A tribal nation heavily influenced by Africans as far bk as 6000 B.C. The book by Paul Alfred Barton titled "A History of The African-Olmecs: Black Civilizations of America from Prehistoric Times to the Present Era". Sums up previous works and does a good job presenting similarities through different historical periods.

[@beverlyodom-jackson2329]

One of my mother’s brother was listed white on his draft card too

[@culturalobserver8721]

I’m mostly Hispanic (Mexican American) and WOW, your great grandmother looks VERY Mexican. Much MUCH more than Black. She really looks Mexican (well, Mexican & Native American). Whether I look at photos of her when she was young, or photos when she looks older! BTW, I’m kind of an expert on Mexicans, as I have that heritage and grew up in Southern California. One more thing: French people ethnically are actually a type of Germanic people…..surprise, surprise! Although skin tone and features can vary with all groups, most Frenchmen are fair skinned with western/Northern European features and frequently with light colored eyes. I have been to France and wow, they’re very fair skinned compared to someone like me who has Mexican heritage, and I’m not even a darker skinned Mexican American, but the French people I observed were still much lighter skinned than I am, even if some had dark hair.

[@nytn]

My husbands grandpa was Mexican and my husband says the same thing! I was in Tuscan AZ last weekend at a little family restaurant and the owner came up and asked if I was Mexicana. I was like 👀

[@culturalobserver8721]

@@nytn People could definitely assume you’re Hispanic, Brazilian, or Italian or even Greek based on your looks (and yes I know you’re neither Brazilian or Greek). I believe you when you say that you have Irish, but it’s not detectable in your facial features or Olive skinned coloring. But there’s so many ethnicities at play in your genetics, that one or two are bound to be a little more dominant in your looks than some others. BTW, at first I thought your husband looked white. But in a more recent video, he did look mildly Hispanic, but more a blend of Hispanic and white versus full Hispanic, which I’ve heard he is both anyway.

[@rroadmap]

I agree! My husband has Mexican ancestry. I think Danielle looks Mexican and Native American. But it surprised me when my husband saw her and thought she was a fair-skinned Black. I guess that just proves that she has traits from all of her ethnicities. My granddaughter is 1/2 White, 1/4 Mexican and 1/4 Japanese, with a bit of Black thrown in there from both my husband and myself. During the Winter when she's not in the sun much, she looks more White and during the Summer she looks more Mexican. But always she has that exotic look that people can't quite figure out "what" she is. 😅 She just doesn't fit one box.

[@Mimi-ht6xr]

@@culturalobserver8721 …depends on what province of France you hail from. Some of my earliest French ancestors who arrived in America in the late 1700s were described as swarthy in coloring with blue eyes and jet black hair. These people exist today in parts of Europe. It’s a skin color l can’t describe. They look dirty from afar but when you are nearer they look brighter. But hair and eyes are dark.

[@culturalobserver8721]

@@Mimi-ht6xr You’re describing the “look” of many people of many ethnicities. BTW, every ethnic group in the world has their lighter skinned folks, and their slightly “darker” skinned peoples. That’s within EVERY ethnic group.

[@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

[@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

[@vanessareedhawaiinani]

Hey Danielle

[@kcn7826]

they were just smart enough to break away from racism and not be considered black and have white privileged and live like and be treated black

[@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.❤

[@robertab7341]

An original photo in a large family. Please have it scanned or copied. If your wallet gets lost/taken it is gone for ever. An aunt had 3 photos of 3 sisters one my gm, one went to Canada - there were more. She knew who they were. She would not let me borrow to copy. She e would not let me write the names on the back. Never seen them since and she is dead. If it had been a time of mobile phones I would have taken snaps.

[@loriminer8072]

"his mark" denotes his signature of 'x' and does mean that he could not read or write.

[@artisticescapism2020]

“His mark”, means he likely could not read or write.