[Notwithstanding]

She was french caucasion - the other photo made her look otherwise.

[Military family member]

Yes, but as we like to say here, she died a Hautean.

[AnAmericanMother]

It's the daguerrotype process - if there's a lot of white near the face, it makes the skin look dark in contrast. She looks like she's from French peasant stock - same as the Acadians/Cajuns.

Not a bad heritage. It's those darned "intellectual" Parisians that are the problem.