Hi Peter:

Do you have the full name of Bud Powell's father? This would help some of the military researchers.

Also the same for Dexter Gordon's father etc that you listed in an earlier posting.

Although your search is targeted to a certain area and era, there may also be information on an earlier ancestor who was in the US Colored Troops.

As a jazz researcher, you more than many of us are aware of the legacy of the connection of the military brass bands of the Civil War to the early beginnings of jazz.

Take a look at the National Park Service's database for the army and navy. The navy is focused on black sailors. For the army, use the drop down menu entitled USCT or US Colored Troops. I sent this to Chris Albertson because I found lots of musicians named in the database. The navy database pinpoints Blacks in Denmark etc.

Enjoy!

K Wyer Lane