I have traced my mother's father's ancestors back to the 1870 Census. Their names are Hal and Jane Long in Ouachita Parish, Monroe, LA. and have run into a brick wall. On the census form Hal is from Kentucky and Jane is from Virginia. I checked Kentucky census records and found records of a Hal Long. Stories told by my grandfather state his grandfather got a ride on a steamboat down the Ohio River to the Ouachita River and settled in Monroe, La. Since 1870 my ancestors lived in Monroe, LA, my great-great grandparents had a house. They were listed as a housekeeper and box factory worker. Hal and his brother Henry seemed to be able to travel freely. Their was never any field workers listed, I cannot trace them to any plantation. They were listed as mulatto on all census forms. I'd like to know if they were free people of color, after hearing Wanda Sykes story I am following this lead.