Help finding father?

Question

I'm searching for my father and unfourtunatly he has a common name and there are several men with that name in the united states. I do know that he was 16 when I was born in vicksburg, mississippi. And when his mom found out about me she moved him away to monroe, louisiana. i also learned he was once in the militay stationed in florida, i dont know if it was the army or the navy etc. i am 22 now so he would be about 38,39. his name is michael s. mcdowell.

is there any way to search military records to see people that was in the army? is that public record or not?

any help would be appreciated

i have checked alot of people seach websites but the name is to common.

Answer 1

When searching for my biological father prior to the internet, 20 years ago.  I interviewed my family members, called dozens of individuals with the same name and ironically a woman who was married to a man with the same name was a sorority sister with a woman of whom my father date and she called my grandfather.  And the only thing I knew was his name what probably was a blessing for me is that his family all knew who I was...

Ancestry has a board where a my great grandfather's first born child's daughter e-mailed me to ask to determine if her grandfather and my great grandfather were one in the same and wouldn't you know it -- they were...

Check the school records Vicksburg wasn't a large community 40 years ago and my family is from Mound Bayou, Cleveland and Shaw... Check church records, as well

Answer 2

military records are confidential. there are agencies on US which might help you. if you know his mothers name, place of birth and birthdate, it might help. You can access municipal records.

Answer 3

Have you looked in a Vicksburg city directory or phone book from 22 years ago? That might give you more information  to go on.

Maybe if you knew what high school he went to in Vicksburg, you could find out something more too. You might even find a classmate who knows something.

You're out of luck with the US Census returns, since they are not released until 70 years after they were taken. Same time period for military records too.

Good luck.

Answer 4

go directly to www.zabasearch.com.  Use the filter for state, using last known state. Many entries include year of birth.

Trust Wendy.  Do not pass go, do not collect $2.95.

Answer 5

Call Veterans Affairs and ask them if it's possible for them to assist you in locating your father. I hope and pray that you find him. Good luck to you.