There are decendants of the early Layssard's/Lazard with african american blood, however that decended from two brother's who were white and decended from France originally. They were Valentine and Etienne who were commandants and served in the militia of the Post of Rapids in Central Louisiana. There is native american blood in this family as well. Etienne had a plantation named Plaisance in Rapids parish. The original family is buried around Boyce and Alexandria and in central la. All of the decendants of one of these brothers are white, however at some point there was some African American blood introduced into this family of Indian traders, planters and early pioneers of early Rapids parish history. They are found in many records of the early history of the state and they were white Frenchmen.