one more thing. the ancestors of "free people of color" were usually slaves who were manimated for various reasons. Some were the mixed-race children of their owners(most common in Louisiana and South Carolina) others were favored slaves freed for years of "good service". And some were indentured servants who enjoyed freedom after the end of their indentures. Other slaves were freed after being baptised(this happened in Louisiana and some Spanish colonies) and some bought their own freedom through self-purchase(common in 18th century New Orleans). Other slaves were manumitted by their own relatives who were already free(which happened to two of my own ancestors).Also some slaves became free through serving in the military such as the American Revolution fighting on the American AND British side. And quite a few through escaping from their masters into the free territories(Canada, US North, US West, Mexico)