Carolinas Free People of Color DNA project focuses on accurately chronicling the genetic lineage of those historically classified as free persons of color (FPOC) who resided in North Carolina and South Carolina prior to the American Civil War. Descendants of such individuals may today self-identify as members of any ethnic group. Our project is open to those with a documented ancestor in your straight maternal (mtDNA) or paternal (yDNA) line who resided in the Carolinas and was listed in government records as a free person of color prior to 1860 as any of the following:

• "All other Free Persons" in the U.S. Census 1790
• "Free Colored Persons" in the U.S. Census 1800-1840
• "Mulatto" or "Black" in the U.S. Census 1850-1860
• "Indian" in any U.S. Census or government issued record prior to 1860
• "Free Negro" in any U.S. Census or government issued record prior to 1860
• "Mustee", "Free Mulatto", "Free Negro", "East Indian", "Free Moors" or "Moroccan" in any government issued record prior to 1860
• Manumitted from enslavement by state or colonial legislature and/or a county court in North Carolina or South Carolina prior to 1860