Chapter #1: What are you?

I am constantly being asked "what am I?" With a first name of Echo, a maiden name like Nave (add a french accent on the e), an olive skin complexion, freckles, and black curly hair, people just can not figure me out.

Too bad the answer the question is so complicated. And thus chapter number one.

Here is how the story goes (according to my father):

My paternal grandfather's name was Paul Nave, Sr. He was born in raised in Kentucky (sometime around the turn of the century) and had a rough home life. His father's name was supposedly John Nave (also born and raised in Kentucky). At the age of fourteen my grandfather ran away from home, forged some documents, ended up with a fake id and joined the military.

After his military service (we have a framed letter from President Ford thanking him for his service) he ended up in Walnut Creek, California. Eventually he married my grandmother, Norma Mackenzie. They had two children, my Aunt Ardeth and my father. My grandpa was quite the entrepreneur. He owned the first electronics shop in the East Bay (Nave Electrics) and owned a lot of property in both Walnut Creek and Lake Tahoe. In fact he and his business partner (something Lawrence, as in Lawrence Meat Co in Alamo) built some of the original stores that are now Broadway Plaza. My dad actually spent most of his youth in a house that was right on the Creek (now the location of Trader Joes). My grandfather died of a mysterious illness a few years before I was born. My grandmother died a year after my father's death. I have had little contact with my Aunt since his death (if you have her info, send this to her please).

So far I know this does not seem weird, but here's the problem with this story.

After my father died (and getting so many questions about my heritage) I took it upon myself to do some genealogical research. I have an uncle who spend a lot of time researching, and between his research and mine here is what we have found...

1. Two social security numbers for my grandfather Paul Nave Sr
2. Two social security numbers for my father (with different dates of birth)
3. No evidence that a Paul Nave or John Nave ever lived in Kentucky (born, lived, or died) during the appropriate time period.

We have been researching now for close to 20 years, and still have ever been able to find any evidence of a John Nave.

Do you know?