Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
0:00 - The "Physical Evidence" Checklist
0:32 - A Girl on Trial in Tennessee
1:00 - Why Melungeons are a "System Test"
1:36 - folk science & the 1913 Article
2:03 - The Law of the Sixth Degree
2:38 - The "Cinderella" Moment in Court
3:54 - Disappearing into the Mountains
5:26 - The Desperate Need to Classify
6:20 - Proving You Weren't Black
7:16 - Passable vs. Respectable
8:45 - My Personal Story with Hair
9:48 - Race as a Legal Performance
11:05 - Why We Must Tell These Stories
#melungeon #ancestry #nytn #ancestry #findingyourroots #familyhistory #genealogy
► 👕 grab your merch here: nytonashville.com
✅patreon.com/NYTN
☕Send me a coffee!: ko-fi.com/nytn13#linkModal
In 1913, a Tennessee girl had to prove she wasn’t Black—by showing her hair in court. This story, pulled from a real primary source, reveals how race, identity, and belonging were judged not by truth, but by appearance. What did it mean to be called “Melungeon”?
► Melungeon + Redbones: youtube.com/watch?v=LyLd8rizXCQ&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hS0duqgK5mkBh_9aqIpbooI
FOLLOW ME 📸
► YouTube: / @NYTN
► Facebook: / facebook.com/findinglolafilm
► Website: nytonashville.com
► X: / twitter.com/ImFindingLola
OTHER VIDEO PLAYLISTS
► Melungeon + Redbones: youtube.com/watch?v=LyLd8rizXCQ&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hS0duqgK5mkBh_9aqIpbooI
► "Who Counts as..." Series in the US: youtube.com/watch?v=yUbLF-tgbB0&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hRisWeiK9K5E8X7asZdz4X1
► Mexicans youtube.com/watch?v=IwJyAwnx39Y&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hSU0OWM1p4QUln0iBpI77wf
► Enslaved Ancestor stories youtube.com/watch?v=uAxyz0q0A4s&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hQxDnyRTah5wYRX9b4FSrqR
► My family story of white passing : youtube.com/watch?v=SQp7jeNp_yg&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hQcox9CjaJWA7QKTYXw9Zn2
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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!
0:00 - The "Physical Evidence" Checklist
0:32 - A Girl on Trial in Tennessee
1:00 - Why Melungeons are a "System Test"
1:36 - folk science & the 1913 Article
2:03 - The Law of the Sixth Degree
2:38 - The "Cinderella" Moment in Court
3:54 - Disappearing into the Mountains
5:26 - The Desperate Need to Classify
6:20 - Proving You Weren't Black
7:16 - Passable vs. Respectable
8:45 - My Personal Story with Hair
9:48 - Race as a Legal Performance
11:05 - Why We Must Tell These Stories
#melungeon #ancestry #nytn #ancestry #findingyourroots #familyhistory #genealogy
► 👕 grab your merch here: nytonashville.com
✅patreon.com/NYTN
☕Send me a coffee!: ko-fi.com/nytn13#linkModal
In 1913, a Tennessee girl had to prove she wasn’t Black—by showing her hair in court. This story, pulled from a real primary source, reveals how race, identity, and belonging were judged not by truth, but by appearance. What did it mean to be called “Melungeon”?
► Melungeon + Redbones: youtube.com/watch?v=LyLd8rizXCQ&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hS0duqgK5mkBh_9aqIpbooI
FOLLOW ME 📸
► YouTube: / @NYTN
► Facebook: / facebook.com/findinglolafilm
► Website: nytonashville.com
► X: / twitter.com/ImFindingLola
OTHER VIDEO PLAYLISTS
► Melungeon + Redbones: youtube.com/watch?v=LyLd8rizXCQ&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hS0duqgK5mkBh_9aqIpbooI
► "Who Counts as..." Series in the US: youtube.com/watch?v=yUbLF-tgbB0&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hRisWeiK9K5E8X7asZdz4X1
► Mexicans youtube.com/watch?v=IwJyAwnx39Y&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hSU0OWM1p4QUln0iBpI77wf
► Enslaved Ancestor stories youtube.com/watch?v=uAxyz0q0A4s&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hQxDnyRTah5wYRX9b4FSrqR
► My family story of white passing : youtube.com/watch?v=SQp7jeNp_yg&list=PLvzaW1c7S5hQcox9CjaJWA7QKTYXw9Zn2
--------
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!
