Love and Mystery

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This story revolves around the complex family ties and the mystery of Robert Keith Marvin's parentage. Born Charles Audrey Rice in 1922 to Harriet Rice, he was adopted by Ray and Jesse Marvin and renamed Robert Keith Marvin. The adoption was recorded in the Marvin Family Bible, indicating the family's awareness of it. In 1942, Robert accidentally discovered his adoption when he requested his birth certificate. The truth about his biological parents remained a mystery until DNA analysis in 2017 revealed a connection to the Bonebright family line, suggesting that Elmer Bonebright and Harriet Rice were his real parents. Robert passed away in 1970, never knowing his true origins, which were only uncovered nearly a century later through DNA science and his son's determination.

 


The story begins

In the tapestry of family history, few threads are as entwined with mystery and discovery as the lineage of Robert Keith Marvin. Born amidst the snowy peaks of Helena, Montana, in the winter of 1922, his life began as Charles Audrey Rice. His mother, Harriet Rice, a woman of strength and resilience, faced the world as an unmarried mother. Fate, however, had a different plan for young Charles.


Hidden Clues

In a twist of destiny, he was adopted by Ray and Jesse Marvin, who lovingly gave him a new name and a new chapter in life. The Marvin Family Bible, a cherished heirloom, silently bore witness to this act of love, its pages holding the secret of his adoption next to the memory of a brother he never knew.


Marvin Family Bible; bottom of page where the secret is encoded


Modern Tools

As decades passed, the whispers of lineage and legacy beckoned. It was not until the advent of DNA analysis that the puzzle of his ancestry began to began to fit together. The strands of his DNA wove a connection back to the Bonebright family, revealing a hidden truth that lay dormant for nearly a century.


Robert's son, armed with the determination to honor his father's unspoken wish, embarked on a quest that would lead to the revelation of Robert's true parentage. It was a journey that transcended time, bridging the gap between past and present, and illuminating the enduring bonds of family.
 

Part of "Marvin Clan" tree on Ancestry.com courtesy of Bob Marvin


This tale, steeped in the pursuit of identity and belonging, is a testament to the power of genealogy. It reminds us that within our bloodlines lie stories of loss, love, and the unbreakable connections that define our very essence. - Robert Marvin




Thanks so much to those who have contributed stories recently. Keep them coming! Send to m.strickland@skcgs.org

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