In my research on Orange County, I've run across a number of free black
families, listed in the 1850 census, where there is mix of black and mulatto
children while both parents are listed as black.  There are some obvious
reasons why this might take place, but I wonder who exactly is providing
this information.  The instructional circular issued to assistant marshals
of the 1850 census is very brief regarding race: If White, leave the space
blank, if Black insert the letter "B", if Mulatto, insert "M."  My question
is:  who determined the difference between Black vs. Mulatto.  I would
suppose that the person who is speaking to the enumerator is supplying it. 
But maybe the enumerator is making an observation.  Can we say that this is
information about inherited genetic background (i.e., a known white
ancestor) or is it merely describing 'skin color,' or is it evidence of an
'adopted' child in the family, or something else entirely?  I would
appreciate some input from the group on this.   Thanks.

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