Racial discrepancy in baptism records

Yes, I have found such varying descriptions of race in baptisms in my research. One family had several children, and I was amazed that each child was listed with a race different from his parents. In this family I found "espanol", "yndio", "mestizo", and "mulato". A rainbow family.

I guess the priests did look at the complexion of the child, although I thought all newborns looked the same (reddish) and didn't take on color until they were older.

Emilie
Port Orchard, WA