Being a spanish gave you a sociopolitical advantage. Being a meztizo could ostracize you from the spanish or the Native populations. Meztizo children born from a spanish dad will most likely be called spanish if the father recognized them.

Another question along the same lines: were there any known
social/economic implications/effects from being designated Yndio, Mulatto, Meztizo,
Espanol, etc?

remember the Mother was not at the baptism and most information is coming from the way the baby looks and the godparents.  I have one family with 5 children, Father was Yndio, Mother was Espanola,  children are listed as Espanol, Yndio, Mestiso, Mulato Libre and Espanol.  From all the mistakes I've found on the names I also wonder if the information was given but not always written down at the same time causing the parents, grandparents and godparents getting put in the wrong order.
Linda in Everett

________________________________
From: "rmcneal103@msn.com"
To: research@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 4:18 PM
Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] General question on blood line designations

I have noticed that when I read the blood line designation that the baptism record and the marriage record don't always coincide. In one the family member will be designated mestizo and in the other Espn. Does anyone understand why this would happen? My guess is maybe the priest didn't ask and just made a judgment from looking at the individuals.

Another question I have just come across is a baptism record where the individual was listed as hija legitima but then only the mothers name was listed. Any insight would be appreciated, I'm thinking maybe the father died before the birth but this is just a guess because I can't figure out how the baby would be legitimate if the mother didn't have a spouse.