I understand exactly your objection to this hijacking of the name "Creole" to represent only mixed-raced people. From some of the posted documents, even some of the folks in Richmond understood this term to identify mulattoes and mixed-raced people.

As I understand it and from what I have read "Creole" and all of the derivations of this term means anyone of foreign birth living in an area. Regarding the "French Creole", I have read that it identified people born or in Louisiana of French extraction prior to the Louisiana Purchase. The term "Louisiana Creole" appears to be a later term mean to identify mixed-bloods (white, black and Indian).

I have noticed; however, that the mixed-bloods/mulattoes are attempting to make "French Creole" a reference to their group and there are even websites claiming that the term French Creole applies only to mixed-race people.

This sounds a lot to me like the confusion that exists with some over mixed-blood, Native-American ancestry. For some reason, the Creek (Muscogee) Indians inter-married with Africans more than any of the other "Five Civilized Tribes" (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole), except perhaps for the Seminole. In fact, many people who are of Creek ancestry today are somewhat reticent to claim it, due to the fact that they feel some will automatically think they are part African-American automatically. Within my own family, especially from the older members, when it is revealed that someone claims Creek (Muscogee) ancestry, immediately the whispers begin that "you know Creeks are all part black". This is inaccurate and no one should be ashamed of Native-American, African-American or other mixed ancestry, but unfortunately many are.

So, Steve, at least I will respond and agree with your statement that the term "Creole" has nothing to do with being of a mixed race.

Jim