Perry, thanks for the response. I have relative who lived in LA in the 50s named Perry Buckner; and took a chance on the relationship. I do have some Jacksons in my family in Rapides Parish, but none of your other family names is familiar to me. I have tried the LA vital statistics bureau for death certificates, even when I did not have an exact date (within a ten year period, however) and they actually checked several decades and came back with certificates in 2 of the 3 cases I asked for. Although it seems that your relative may not have died in LA, but rather in DC. Have you tried the US Postal Service? If your relative was appointed to a position rarely given to Blacks, they would probably have something there. Not being in Alexandria, where there are great resources, its difficult to find relevant information, easily. I have made a couple research trips in the last 2 years and been very successful tracing marriage license, draft registrations, census info., etc. But you gotta be there! In the interim, however, you might try your local Family History Center of the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) as they have access to an extensive collection of genealogy on everybody! And you can order that information through them. I have the census book you talked about, by Harry Dill. One caution, there are omissions in this book as I discovered when I got the actually census. So beware. Another resource is found in a series of books entitled, Gone -- But Not Forgotten; Cemetery Inscriptions of Rapides Parish; by Mary Parker Partain and Jane Parker McManus. They give the headstone information contained in several cemeteries throughout Rapides Parish. I have volume 3 and will look up your names. I think there are 6 volumes in all. If I find anything, I will send. Good luck. Barbara