 Paul Heinegg documented that many individuals were classified as free people of color, or similar terms in a variety of colonial, local and state records.Some CRP have identified as Melungeon, a mixed-race group based in Kentucky and Tennessee, and attended the Melungeon unions, or joined the Melungeon Heritage Association.In 1997 two local historians made a presentation about the "Guineas of West Virginia" at the University of Virginia's College at Wise.