Houston – After decades of waiting, 95‑year‑old James Dorsey finally held the document he has long desired: an official birth certificate. The milestone came as Dorsey marked his 95th birthday, a moment his family describes as an answered prayer.
Family’s effort to secure the record
Dorsey was born in August 1931 on the Ellerbe Plantation, about 25 miles outside Shreveport, Louisiana. At the time, his birth was never recorded, and he grew up working in the cotton fields. When he later moved to Houston in the 1950s, the lack of a birth certificate limited his ability to work, eventually forcing him to stop driving trucks.
His daughter, Barbara Dorsey‑Curry, helped fill out an application to the Louisiana Department of Health’s vital records office, but weeks passed without an update. The family’s story was first highlighted by ABC affiliate KTRK during the summer’s Juneteenth coverage, prompting a local attorney to step in.
Attorney steps in
Houston‑based attorney Raynique Keelen, who also practices in New Orleans, heard the Dorsey family’s plea after seeing the broadcast. Keelen agreed to assist pro bono, navigating the state’s process to locate the missing record. “Louisiana, it’s the process we had to go through, one to locate the birth certificate and vital records, which we were able to do,” Keelen explained. She discovered the original filing under a different name and date, corrected the discrepancy, and secured the proper documentation through the New Orleans courthouse.
When asked how it felt to finally have the paper, Dorsey replied, “Lord, have mercy. I don’t know how to feel. I feel so good. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me if I didn’t have it.”
Significance for the family
For the Dorsey family, the certificate is more than paperwork; it affirms James Dorsey’s identity as an American citizen and provides peace of mind for future generations. “He’s come full circle, a chapter in his life. He has proof that he’s here. He was born. He’s the American citizen,” Keelen said.
The story underscores the importance of preserving personal histories, especially for elders whose lives span the deep‑South’s complex past. It also highlights how local professionals can make a tangible difference in the lives of community members.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
