While financial prosperity was common, discrimination was also. Although business was conducted between Whites and Creoles of color in public houses, they did not socialize outside of business arrangements. Striking of a white person by a free person of color could mean arrest. Free people of color could not vote, no matter how white they may have looked. Women by law were forced to cover their hair with a tignon in the early part of the 19th century.. Being clever, they soon sported elaborate headgear complete with feather and jewels. Opera and theatre going was a favorite passtime of both white and the gens de couleur, although they were not seated together.
New Orleans free people of color prospered until the time before the Civil war when the economics of New Orleans attracted "Americans". Until then New Orleans was a "European" city with European customs and mores'. Americans brought with them a distaste for the Creole way of life. Early in the Civil war New Orleans was seized by the north making it difficult for both White and The Gens de Couleur. By the end of the war when slaves were freed and a wave of immigrants poured into the city .Creoles of color were no longer considered a "third" race, . Some jobs that were once held by free people of color were replaced with freed slaves or other immigrants to New Orleans such as the Irish, who would work more cheaply. The social status of the Gens de Couleur was not recognized as it had been. Although some Creoles remained prosperous after the war, many more did not.
What has happened to the Creoles since the war? Many families have remained in New Orleans and have raised generations of children still contributing to the wonderful melting pot of the present day city. As opportunities for jobs in other parts of the country became available, some families have since moved. Los Angeles and Chicago have a large Creole population. Many people with telltale French surnames have brought the culture to California. Some families moved to France where they were more accepted. Because many of these families where "white" in appearance they have passed for white and have "blended" in within New Orleans and other parts of America. Descendants of these Creoles may not know about their heritage , which is sad indeed.
The Gens de Couleur Libre have left a lasting imprint in New Orleans and a have introduced their rich culture and heritage to other parts of the country. For further research on this subject, please visit our Geneaolgoy, History Links and Publications pages. Also visit our Families page to connect with other researchers.
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