I'm looking at a baptismal register from Jamaica in the 1870's. The complexion of the babies is listed, amongst other attributes; I hope I am not going to offend anyone by listing them as they contain descriptors which we certainly would not use today:
Black; Brown; Coloured; Fair; Sambo
These are all on the same page and I wonder if anyone could enlighten me as to the difference (as the victorians saw it!) between Brown, Coloured and Sambo? (By the way, the minister's own child was apparently "coloured").
I realise that this is a sensitive topic for some; my interest here is purely historical, and I'd be grateful if this query could be taken in the academic spirit in which it is intended (although RCers always seem very moderate reasonable folk!)
Thank you.
