Help: What was the name of the mid-90s book about the North Carolina b/w family?

[Captain Hilts]

I think the author was a UVA professor.

It was about how he found out his family heritage was black and white.

A friend of mine read it and realized that she was a member of the family and had a nice correspondence with him.

I can't remember the title of the book if you put a gun to my head.

Help!

[LisaM]

1. Was it "The Color of Water"?

I think the author's name was MacBride. Does that sound right?

[Captain Hilts]

2. That's a great book, but not it. This is driving me crazy. nt

[LisaM]

3. How about "Pearl's Secret"

by Neil Henry?

[Captain Hilts]

4. Nope! But it led me to the book I'm looking for: The Hairstons!!!!!! Thanks! nt

[LisaM]

5. Oh good!

Yes, I'd resorted to going to Amazon and seeing what people who'd read "The Color of Water" bought -I saw "The Hairstons" there, but hadn't looked at it yet. I wonder if they're related to Lindsay Hairston?