Hi Brad,
Iwas currently reading Dr.Henry Louis Gates book -Insearch of our roots. In it he mentioned he is related to REDMANS on his fathers mother side.Iam assuming that his father mother maiden name may have been REDMAN. HE mentioned that he is related to a John REDMAN. Who was born inthe mid 18th century in Virginia.Gates was quite surprise atthis because according to Gates notmany african americans can trace an ancester born free in Colonial times in an old state such as Virginia.Gates mentioned how John REDMAN was extremely light skinned and he was born free because he was the son from a woman named Jane REDMAN who was White.Maybe u could email or try contacting Dr.Gates personally.