The Family History papers of the Marr-McGee Family papers contain both original and secondary materials documenting the genealogy of the African American and Caucasian branches of the Marr family of Virginia and New England, as well as, the McGee family. Warren Marr II, the unofficial family historian, thoroughly researched his paternal and maternal familial lines in attempts to shed light on his diverse background. Marr’s great-great grandparents were John Quincy Marr, the first Confederate casualty of the Civil War and Eliza Nickens, his Cherokee mistress. See images below.
John Quincy Marr, undated
Eliza Nickens, undated
In 1967, Warren published a volume titled, Genealogy of the Marr Family in the United States, registered it with the Library and Congress, and then circulated it throughout the Marr family. Before Marr published his volume, many family members had known nothing about their genealogy. The materials include a copy of Warren’s volume on the Marr family genealogy and family tree, as well as biographical information of family members. Of particular note is Marr’s, The Marr Family: What Do We Know? (November 1987) which gives a brief summary of the genealogy of the Marr family of Virginia and New England.
Marr House, Warrenton, Virginia. Erected 1830. One of the show places of Warrenton. Home of Captain John Quincy Marr.
Also included is Marr’s book, The McGee Family: Mid-1800 to 1994which contains his recollections of old family history, data sheets from family members in 1986, and reprints of published biographical articles about the McGee family. Family members were asked to complete biographical data sheets which asked for their names, their parent’s names, birthplace, educational background, employment experience, and organizational membership and honors. The data sheets for nearly fifty McGee relatives are included in the materials.
Below: McGee Family before 1915. (Top, left to right) Charles, Ruth, Lewis, Antoinette, Grace. (Bottom) Charles Armstead, Gay Ruth, Richard.
A full run of The Mars Exchange (1978-1985), a family newsletter started by Nancy Miller, is available and its purpose was to gather and distribute all Marrs family material (including all spellings of the surname). The notes and clippings contain wedding announcements, samples of the tartans of Scottish clans, and sketches of the House of Mar [sic] Coat of Arms. A brief outline of the McGee Family History secured from Gay Ruth Ankrum McGee (maternal grandmother) is also included, as well as, Warren Marr’s handwritten notes.
Of particular note are the papers and records of various Marr-McGee family members. These materials include funeral programs, sermons, obituaries, the original marriage license (1915) of Marr’s parents, a handwritten autobiography of Warren Q. Marr, Sr., a copy of Warren Q. Marr, III’s manuscript, Dedicated to Women with Love (1982), among other items. The Marr-McGee Family Papers are currently being processed as part of the Amistad Research Center’s Hidden Collections project funded by the Council of Library and Information Resources. The papers largely document the lives and careers of Warren Marr, II, his wife Carmel, and his sister Grace Marr Nugent.
Posted by Amber L. Moore
(Images from the Marr-McGee Family Papers. May not be reproduced without permission.)
Amistad Research Center 
my grandmother and great uncle are in that photo of the mcgee family
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i am a mcgee but i was put up for adoption. trying to find some help as to whom my parents are.
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Justina, my grandmother and great aunts and uncles are in that picture, too!! My grandmother is Antoinette. I hope you see this and respond! — Karen
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Eliza is my great great grandmother. Her child by John has been identified as mulatto and black. He is found to have lived with them both from time to time. My great great grandfather was Joseph Nickens.
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