Jarl family- Lawrence, Emily, and Cecil

     To this day there seems to be a controversy regarding my aunt Doris' birth. Doris was born in Mankato Minnesota in 1920. I believe that her birth led to the dissolution of Emily's and Lawrence Master's Marriage. In the 1920 census you will see: Lawrence, Emili, Lawrence and Deborah, as well as my grandfather Cecil Winch who was a boarder. There was a story that Emili and Cecil were "caught" together in the "barn" out back. Lawrence apparently left the family and ended up being imprisoned for non-support. While there Lawrence contracted Tuberculosis. He and Emili were divorced for abandonment. I will post the papers. Apparently in the 1960's when my father had to prove his birth date, he asked for a copy of his birth record. On his 1923 birth record was written "unknown" for father. When presented with this evidence Emily got very upset and the family started to realize that Emily had not been exactly truthful regarding my father's and Aunt Dori's parentage.

     This caused horrible divisions and verbal fights within the family.

     I will never forget that era. In fact my parents insisted that I not walk home from school for fear that my grandmother and aunt may kidnap me. This came about because my parents testified in a court hearing against Doris regarding the guardianship of Doris' and Don's daughter Patty. Patty was mentally disabled possibly with Down's syndrome. The Court ruled for Don Olson for custody of Patty. So, my parents were considered the "pariahs" of the family.

       It is during that time that I remember sitting on a leather couch in my parent's attorney's office. They were setting up their wills and to whom I would get custody of if my parents died. It was decided at that time, it was determined my guardianship would be with my mother's cousin Virginia Carpenter Rice and her husband Clarence "Pete" Rice.

       Since that time, Doris' son Donny and I have provided DNA that links us through to Emily and Cecil.

       If you have any further questions please contact me.

      Thanks for this opportunity to clarify the "happenings" from 60 to 100 years ago.

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