years old. If Mama gave birth to him when she was twenty years old, got married at twenty-three and had me when she was twenty-four, he would be sixty-four."
Sonata asked, "How do we get started in this type of search? All we have is a date of birth, a race, and a gender. Would the state adoption service still have records? What about the state health department? Are there some written documents among Grandma Howard's things?"
"I'll do some more searching in the home house," said Curtis. That's where I'm staying until the end of next week when I have to go back to Atlanta. All of my cousins are either on their way back home or live in their homes in Nashville."
"I don't think we still have letters that my mother would have saved. My father's written sermons and correspondence were sent to the archives at Tennessee State at their request. My mother did not have any written items except her recipes in a kitchen notebook. I kept all of the letters she sent me after I left home. Is there something I can do to help you, Curtis?" asked Naomi. "My daytime schedule is flexible."
"That would be great, Miss Naomi. There are some other trunks that haven't been opened. You need to wear clothes for swimming in the dust of the attic. I've had to wear a face mask while working I bought a dozen at the hardware store so you can use one of those. Better bring a scarf or shower cap to protect your hair."
"Better take our portable vacuum cleaner," said Foster with a slight smile.
"I see that you still have your sense of humor," remarked Curtis. "I'll try to do a quick sweep with the house vacuum before you come over Miss Naomi. However, you may still need your dust cover."
Naomi and Foster left with permission from Curtis to take the journal for further investigation. Naomi needed to make copies to send to her eight siblings who all lived away from Nashville. She also planned to send e-mail correspondence to her five brothers and three sisters. She was the elder of the nine children. Her siblings considered her the matriarch and expected her leadership in all family matters. In the quest to find the unknown brother, she would be called upon to organize the troops
Chapter 3: Ensemble
The search in the attic of the Mitchell home house did not result in finding clues about the baby. There was no clue about the agency that handled the adoption.
Monday morning, Sonata went on a search of official records of the date given in the journal listed forty-two Negro boy babies born in Nashville. There was no clue regarding which baby belonged to Elsie Mae. There were three certificates that had the name of Myrtle Mitchell as the mid-wife. the parents were all Negro married couples.
Since the journal mentioned that Salona's mother took the baby two days after the delivery, that date was also examined. There were twenty-seven Negro boy babies born on that date. Five certificates listed Myrtle Mitchell as the mid-wife and had married couples listed as parents. While most of the parents were young, Sonata noted that one couple was listed as mother age forty-three and father as age forty-seven. Even though this was biologically possible, Sonata made note of this and copied the name and address of the couple and the name of the child since the child was a home delivery.
Sonata decided to look at the census records for Nashville in the five years after the birth. She found that the names on the birth certificate were the only members of the household. When she looked at the census records ten years before, only the couple's names were listed. She looked at the census records for the ten years after the child was listed and found only the three names: Major, Sally, and Jeremiah Jenkins.
When Sonata left the Tennessee archives building, she decided to drive to the address given on the census. She was familiar with that part of the city. Unfortunately, four years ago, the neighborhood was subject to urban renewal. Half of the structures were torn down to make way for a new section of highway. Sonata discovered that 942 Jackson Boulevard was in the saved part of the neighborhood. There was a for sale sign on the lawn.
Sonata parked on the corner of the street near a neighborhood store. She went into the store and selected a bottle of water and a nutrition bar to purchase. As she was handed her change, Sonata inquired, "Ma'am, do you remember the Jenkins family that lived up the street?"
"Oh, yes, they were a nice family. the old folks went to be with the Lord about thirty years ago, but their son Jeremiah stayed in the house while he was workin'. He and his wife Daisy raised their two boys there. Jeremiah and Daisy just moved to Memphis last year when he retired. Their sons, I think both live in Memphis."
"I'm glad to hear that they are in Memphis. What's the nearest church around here?"
"That would be Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. It's three streets down and two streets over to the left."
"Thank you so much. You are a sweetheart."
"God bless you child."
Sonata left the store and went back to her car. she found the church easily and parked near the door. When she went into the sanctuary, there was a young man playing the organ. She sat down in the last row of pews to listen.
"May we help you with something?" asked the man in the tee shirt with the church name.
"Yes sir, I came to inquire if a family by the name of Jenkins had ever been members of your congregation."
The man smiled. "I'm Pastor Jordan. Yes, the Jenkins families were members. As I understand, members of the family have spanned four generations in this church. The last two generations were my parishioners; Jeremiah, Daisy, and their two sons. I really miss them but they are now living in Memphis."
"My name is Sonata Franklin. My godmother just passed away and among her things was a reference to Major and Sally Jenkins. The lady who owns the corner store told me that they have passed away and that their son had moved to Memphis. Would you have an address for him?"
"Yes we do. I recognized you Miss Franklin. I heard you sing and play at the East Avenue Baptist Church. I understand that you are one of the top back-ground singers in Nashville."
"Thank you Pastor Jordan. I appreciate your compliments. By the way, the young man at the organ is very good."
"That's my son Paul. We are very proud of him."
"Please give him my card if he's interested in recording work, I would recommend him," said Sonata. "Also Pastor, I would appreciate getting a forwarding address for Jeremiah and Daisy. I would like to get in touch with them."
"Of course, Miss Franklin. Let's go to my office."
As they entered the office, Sonata noticed a stack of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church directories on the table. "Excuse me, Pastor Jordan, may I have one of your church directories?"
"Those are the left-overs from two years ago. We are expecting the ones for this year next week."
"This one will be alright." She flipped through the book until she found the photographs of the Jenkins family members that were taken prior to their move to Memphis. She quickly closed the book and cradled it in her arms.
The pastor was writing on the card as he gazed at his computer. As he handed her the card, he said," I hope you are able to contact the Jenkins. Please give them my love. They are very special."
"I will, Pastor. Thank you so much." The two shook hands and Sonata returned to her car. She dialed her mother from the cell phone.
"Mama, where are
