Bill Buchholtz
Bill is a friend of mine that I met while I was producing a story about a Native American organization out of the Chicago area. Bill is one of the most kind, warm-hearted people I have ever met, and even the first day we met, he was willing to help me with anything I needed.
Bill is trying to locate his birth father, for his own sense of connection, and also as a way to formally legitimize his Native Flute playing. Because he cannot now prove the roots he knows exist, he is often barred from claiming to play Native flute. Music is a deeply spiritual thing to Bill, and gives meaning to his life, and yet he faces problems playing it publicly, because he has no concrete proof of his heritage. He knows that his father was Native American, but he has not been able to find his father, who was in the Navy in the 50's. He has used internet searches, and every resource within his means to locate his father, but has been unable to produce results. To find his father would not only mean a validation of a cultural and spiritual heritage, but a means to continuing his way of life. Please help him!
As a fellow Television producer (I can give you links to my stories to reference to validate my claim) I can tell you that besides being badly in need of your services, Bill has a strong physical presence visually, and his music is very, very good. It is soulful, rich, and resonant. A story about Bill would be a joy to produce and edit. B-roll would be a piece of cake, and many photographic stills would already be available upon request (check out playingfromspirit.com) for just a few examples. I'm sure this is not how you decide on which stories to produce, but I thought it might be worth noting, anyway!
Please help my friend Bill! Thank you for your consideration.
Virginia
Hello all-
No doubt you have read all of the letters posted about Bill Bucholtz. If you have, you know his story, and you know about all that he does for his community, and about his music. Bill is an amazing talent, and he has been able to share his gift with so many.
It has been my honour and privilige to know Bill for many years now. He has always been a good friend to me, a source of strength in times of need. If anyone needs help, or a kind word, or encouragement, some good down-to-earth advice or a ear to listen, Bill is there.
It is my sincere hope that this program will take on his story, and the challenge of reconnecting Bill with his past. Every person deserves to know where and who they came from (if they so wish), and in Bill's case it is vital to him in so many ways; not only for his peace of mind, but his establishment within the tribal community and for his validation as a Native flute player.
Bill has been trying for years and years to find out ANY information about his father. He has been blocked at every turn, and people have been generally very unwilling to listen, help or offer any sort of guidance or advice. It lifts my heart to see the comments and the information being posted up here for him. He needs some real solid help, and it seems that inclusion on this program is the thing that could do that for him.
Like Virginia, who also commented, I also work in the Film/TV industry (11 years as a director and editor) and know that Bill would make an excellent subject for your show.
Troy and Katie...I truly hope that you can help Bill, as he so desperately wants it and needs it, and is so deserving of it. He gives so much of himself to others, it's time he got something back.
This letter comes from not only me, but my family: Craig Cocozza, Nicholas and Peggy Edvy.
Troy and Katie....I hope you can help a member of my family. My heart cousin is William Buchholtz. He is of Native American descent, without doubt, although he can't prove it.
Sadly enough he found out in a rather brutal way at the age of 11, that he was adopted. William (Bill) had a loving family and accepted being adopted, but also wanted to know his roots. His birth mother was Scandinavian and his birth father, Joseph L. Allison, was Native American, or at least partially. The years went by and Bill, taught by his mother, became quite a musician, playing and composing with his piano. One day an older Native woman thrust a flute into his hands and commanded him to play. He explained to the Elder that he didn't know how to play. "Play it," she told him. That started Bill's interest and deep love for the Native American flute because he could play it and knows only that the gift came from the creator. In the coming years Bill played in many venues, always claiming to be an adoptee, never claiming affiliation with any tribe. He played in Museums, on the YoYo Ma Silk Road project, for Dr. Jane Goodall, for government officials, for Bishop Desmond Tutu. The Indian community decided that since Bill couldn't "prove" his Native American heritage, then he couldn't play Native American Flute. This hateful attitude has severely damaged Bill's reputation as a musician, but also deeply wounded his heart. Please, please, help my cousin find a record of his legal birth and his birth father so he can truly know for once and all times exactly who he is. He is an extremely talented 57 year old man and he would make a wonderful focus for your program. His music is spiritually sublime. Thank you for considering this request
Please help my dear friend William Buchholtz find his birth father. Bill is an outstanding Native American Flute player who truly plays from the spirit. Bill was adopted at the age of 1 year old when his parents simply disappeared from his life. He knows his father was Native American, but doesn't know what tribe and can't prove his heritage. Bill is often ostracized and blacklisted from playing in many locations because the Native community ridicules him and claims he isn't Native. Therefore, they reason, he shouldn't be playing native flute. Anyone who even looks at Bill will know he most definitely is Native! And that is even before you hear his beautiful music. I am the director of a natural history and anthropology museum and Bill has played often for Native American programs I present. He is kind, gentle and loving. He has such a gift! Please, please, help him find Joseph L. Allison, his birthfather. Bill's birth name is William Allison.
Hi anjiepanjie003
Thank you again anjie i do appreciate that you have been trying to help me .I worte down wrong something my mistake on what i said about being 11 years old i meant I found out i was adopted at 11 years out in a grade school yard on a junglegym another part in my story. I was adopted at 1 years old by the buchholtz's and that is also another twist in my story too . like my adopted mother being adopted.there are many twists that I know about already and i am sure many more i dont know.
Bill
Thanks Bill,
I don't know how they gave me so much information with only a name but it was 10 years ago and maybe things have changed. They can check names if they want to and your father's name is not a common name so you have a great chance in finding him..... but it may be more time consuming searching names. And sometimes you can find someone who is very dedicated and compassionate.
Maybe Team Troy will help you. I imagine being adopted at age 11 there would be other records you can check too. So more reasons to feel really postiive.
But I have only done checks on civil war people & long ago dead people so yours is very interesting and would seem not too difficult to track down. I just see obstacles as challenges and like you I would never stop looking and wish you luck in finding your father. I can't wait to see what happens. At least right now you have the best chance there is with this show.
Thanks for commenting back. Anjie.
Hi anjiepanjie003
I have talked to someone in St Louis in military records already told them my situation just a few months ago talked to a lady for 15 minutes she was very nice but said she will not look no matter what the situation without my father birthdate.I already know where and how and in what state i was adopted but i am not going to talk about that in this post it is an interesting twist to my story and also i found out i was adopted at 11 years old in a interesting situation which i am not going to give that away in this post. again i will repeat i have tried everything that one can. i appreciate that you are trying to help me but in 30 years i have tried everything more then once.
My roots are very important to me and my music too as i have said in other posts i just want to play and learn my traditions. this is my last hope I leave the outcome in the creators hands.
Bill
Thanks Bill,
I am so sorry your information was destroyed.
I am sure you have seen what I will copy and post and see if any of it might help you. I think if you wrote or faxed and told them your situation (I would call as people seem much more receptive to a voice than another piece of paper)
I also read in your message that they ask for SS numbers or service numbers but perhaps and I am not sure if you have already tried this but call and see if someone there might help you.
Also as you were adopted and was it in the 50s? Would it be more likely the adoptions were from the same State. Meaning is it possible your father lived in the same area you were adopted from?Not sure how far people travelled then. Did your adoptive mother ever mention where they adopted you from? if so might that be a good place to start?
Anjie
As I said it is probably all old information to you but I would definitely call....
To find someone else's records, use a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The FOIA website of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, www.rcfp.org/foi.html has detailed information. When you file your FOIA request, ask for all ``publicly releasable'' information on the veteran in question. The center will not release medical, disciplinary and other records under the FOIA. When researching cooperative veterans, ask them to sign a Form DA-1800, which provides you all the records that they could get themselves.
If the veteran is not a cooperative subject, send an FOIA request to National Personnel Records Center, Army (Air Force or Navy) Records Center, 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63132-5100, asking for the publicly releasable form of the individual's military record. With more than 80 million individual personnel records in the system going back to the Revolutionary War, it's difficult to get a military record unless you have a full name and service number (for service prior to 1969) or Social Security number (post-1969). It also helps to include date of birth, home town, and general time of service.
The U. S. military is fastidious when it comes to personnel records. When a person is inducted, his presence is documented. Pay, training, medical treatment, promotions, decorations, transit times, leave, courts-martial or time spent in the brig are all tracked. This doesn't mean records never get misfiled, but layers of records exist to cross-check information.
Hi anjiepanjie003
when i say i have tried everything i really have . I cant afford to hire anyone i wish i could. there was a good chance he was in the navy but i dont know for sure and without an S.S. number which I am told is part of ones service number .they will not even look.I was also told where they keep the records which is in st louis . with out his S.S. number they will not even look.I have tried to find it but cant find it nor do i know where he was from.and I have tried to find his birthdate but with no luck.all I was able to get was a adoption decree. their was a rumor in my adopted family there was more info but that is a story in itself.
"My adopted mother was adopted. she found her mother it didnt turn out well. when my adopted mother died my step brothers two wives because of what happened to my adopted mother decided to throw away all but my adoption decree to save me from what could possibly happened ( they meant well).and I DO forgive them. but it has made things just alittle bit harder on me"
hope that answer most of your questions.
Bill Buchholtz
I am sure you have tried this. I once did some research on a story from the time of the Civil war and the author wanted to know a little more about the soldier/s in question (it was a true story with letters exchanged between two brothers who were both Drs during the war)
I called a records department in Washington. I am not sur eif this would help you but they would have access to the files and gave me all the information.
I am wondering if this is a line you would want to pursue. It seems to me that you have established he is in the Navy so at least they could verify that and you could tell a lot by the records. If you need an exact department let me know and I can go back and check on it. Do you happen to know where he serve din the navy or what his position was. It really doesn't matter anyway because they gave me all the information just with the name. I am keeping my toes crossed for you!
Thanks for enlightening me-I am sorry I had no idea about the name or lack of on the birth certificate. May I ask you how you found out your biological father's name and is it possible with the help of the locator that the records from the hospital can be looked at (your birth records) surely there is some way ...if only you had his social security number.
I have seen on another section of this Locator site where one can enter information and try to loctae a person and/or is it possible that you can use the services of Mr Dunn's team of locators as they also have their own agency where for a fee they will find a person. I have no idea how much it is but it is free to fill in the form and submit it and then you could see if it is something you wanted to pursue.
Other than that hopefully your story might be chosen.
It seems like a very interesting and somewhat mystical story. How old would your father be now? and did you have any information regarding the area he lived in or what tribe he belonged to.? Sorry for all the questions....Another thought: Is it possible that each tribe has their own geneology and through them you could trace your father.
I wish you success in your search. I would love to know what happens so you will let us know?
Anjie
I hope that you will help Bill find his birth information. He gives so much of himself to Indian people, and is very good with interpreting Native traditions in educational settings. I have hosted Bill at Seven Circles Heritage Center, many
United Methodist Church Gatherings, and at Dickson Mounds Museum. He brings exceptional musical talent and an ability to tell the story of our people.
As a pastor and community developer working among Native American people for over 20 years,
I know how important it can be for indian people who were adopted, to learn about their birth family and tribe. Recently,I was able to officiate at the baptism of a child who is being adopted in an open adoption. The Native American mother is unable to raise the child, but in this situation, the adoptive family was present for the ceremonials, the traditional songs, the gifting of moccasins, and will continue to be in contact with the birth mother. This child will grow up knowing his/her family and tribe. This child will have pictures and momentos of this Indian blessing day.
We are still learning about the ongoing woundedness of generations of our people being dislocated from their heritage. For Bill, the Locator has an opportunity to provide a healing to a sacred circle that is broken. It will be a day for singing a
celebration song, when this circle is finally
completed.
Thank you for your consideration of this very
fine human being.
Carol Lakota Eastin
Aaniin - Thank you in advance for helping my friend Bill (William Buchholtz). He is a wonderful storyteller and musician and we love him for who he is. His search for his father Joseph L. Allison is a very important thing for him and he has done so much for others in the 13 years that I have known him, that it would be very gratifying to see him have the help he desires and deserves.
I have done amatuer geneology research and have been unable to trace anything concrete on his father's name. I really think that his story is one that will be of interest to all who know it. Please please do what you can. If I can be of any help feel free to contact me.
Bill Buchholtz is part of my chosen family. I have followed his search for his father and Native American identity for many years.
His birthname is William Allison. His birthfather is Joseph l. Allison.
Bill is a musician--he has received acclaim for his mastery of the Native American flute. He has performed for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Anthropologist Jane Goodall, to name but two. To fully use his gift, he needs to find out about his heritage.
Bill uses his musical gifts in the service of several church and community organizations.
This can be a truly inspiring story for your show and a life-changing event for Mr Buccholtz.
You mom and I have talked a few times on your site. we have flutes from the same maker. i was gifted one of his flutes a few years back when i met him in florida.
Bill Buchholtz
I can only imagine that when mom reads this, she will probably be pleading with me to review it. Little-known fact about mom- she plays and collects indian flutes. My little brother is adopted and is native american. In an effort to introduce him to his heritage, she exposed him to many indian cultural events, and alog the way, MOM fel in love with these beautiful flutes and the spiritual music they can generate.
I imagine you may hear from her one way or the other. :-)
Troy Dunn
HI - this is to answer anjipanjie. Like many adoptees I only have a birth certificate that shows my adoptive parents and changed name. and my birthmother is dead and no one in her family knows anything. i appreciate her concern. Bill Buchholtz
I was wondering as I have come across so many posts from people searching for Mr Buchholtz's father and wanted to ask as it seems in all the postings the people have said that he can not prove he is a legitimate Native American without contacting his father and provong he is who he says he is.
Does Mr Buchholtz have a birth certificate or if his mother is alive can she not prove the link through marraige certificate and then birth certificate.
Why is it not possible for him to obtain a birth certificate. Why would it be so essential for him at this stage in his life (assuming he has played his music all his life) to need verification of whom his father was.
HI - thanks for posting the letter on William Buchholtz. He is a gift to us all and has given so much to people in general, who have been touched by his giving personality and by his music, that he greatly deserves to have a gift such as this given back to him. Please help Bill find his birthfather - Bill Buchholtz was born William Allison. His birthfather is Joseph L. Allison. Thank you very much. Vicki