Talk:Benny Heller

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Possible match[edit]

I looked on Ancestry for any possible records about Heller. In the 1940 US Census, a Ben Heller (born in England c1906) is living in New York and works as a musician - https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/13339337:2442?tid=&pid=&queryId=f88ae3bc75ba65a1744fa710d65549ff&_phsrc=ddL3919&_phstart=successSource

I found his WWII draft card, which states that he was part of Harry James Traveling Orchestra in 1940 -https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/193352979:2238?tid=&pid=&queryId=b072a9845d13b62327c30d981731aeae&_phsrc=ddL3921&_phstart=successSource

One of the references used in the article says he was a "tiny guy" who left Goodman to join James. His draft card says he was 5 foot 5 and 145lbs.

However, that same reference says he was selling Gretsch instruments and living in the Washington area as of 1991. According to the SSDI, he died in 1983 - https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/26788767:3693?tid=&pid=&queryId=c21a30c12d145ef402185b8193213692&_phsrc=ddL3923&_phstart=successSource. The book was published in 1991, but it's possible they weren't aware of his death.

I think these two are the same person.

Skycloud86 (talk) 13:59, 5 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]