In the letters of early Baha'is you find a curious and repeated reference to the Holy Family of Abdu'l-Baha'.
Further research needs to be conducted as to who was considered a member of the Holy Family. Was for instance Emogene Hoagg who lived with the Holy Family and was very close to Bahiyyih Khanum considered a member of the Holy Family, was Fugita considered a member of the Holy Family. Aside from Mason Remey, Fred Mortenson who are documented as being referred to AB's sons, there is also a tablet to Fugita that suggests the same and an explicit declaration of Emogene Hoagg as AB'd daughter by AB, and at least during the time that Juliet Thompson was engaged to Mason Remey AB refers to her as his daughter.
2. Use of the title "Holy Family"
The Research Department has not found any explicit guidelines in the Bahá'í Writings regarding the appropriate use of the title "Holy Family". It appears to be a general term which has meant different things at different historical times. The following extract from a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi illustrates how he used the terms "Holy Family" and "Holy Household":
As to your question whether the members of the Holy Family fulfil, as such, any specific function in the Administrative Order, or in the teaching field: the Guardian wishes me to state that, while the members of the Holy Household, who stand loyal to the Cause, are entitled to every respect and consideration by the believers, yet there is no such function which they can inherently claim by being related to the Centre of the Cause. The believers, moreover, are not under any obligation to rise at the entrance or exit of any member of the Holy Family at the meetings. The higher the station of those who have the privilege of being related by ties of blood to the Centre of the Cause the greater indeed must be their responsibility to serve, and thus prove in deeds their worthiness to occupy such an exalted and responsible position.
(26 January 1939 to an individual) http://bahai-library.com/uhj_mihdi_pronouns_english
Did AB, Shoghi, Bahiyyih or other members of the family consider these folks as real family or as just intimates?
Shoghi Effendi, the members of the Holy Family and all the friends here join in sending most cordial Abha greetings, and we pray that the confirmations of the Spirit may descend upon you in torrents.
Your brother in His service
(Sgd.) J. E. Esslemont. http://bahai-library.com/shoghieffendi_letter_grace_holley
My dear co-worker:
I wish to add a few words expressing my deep appreciation of your valued suggestions in connexion with the translation of the Iqan. I wish also to express the hope that you may be able to lend increasing assistance to the work of the Cause, as I have always greatly admired your exceptional abilities & capacity to render distinguished services to the Faith. I grieve to hear of the weakness of your heart which I trust may through treatment be completely restored. I often remember you in my prayers and ever cherish the hope of welcoming you again in the Master’s home.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
letter to A. Locke 5/7/30
One can only feel but never hope to describe the spiritual atmosphere which surrounds Abdu'l-Bahá and the members of His Holy Household. The favored visitor is so quickly enveloped in this subtle Harmony that he is conscious of living in a new element, of breathing a different air from that of the outside world, of being immersed in a perfect Ocean of Divine Love which submerges all his human selfishness for the time being, calling forth and sustaining every spiritual quality of which he is possessed. This effect is produced by the Presence of Abdu'l-Bahá , and preserved by those holy souls who revolve around Him.
The members of the Holy Household are:
Abdu'l-Bahá
Bahiyyih Khanum, His sister, "The Greatest Holy Leaf."
Munirih Khanum, His wife, "The Brilliant Leaf."
Dia'iyyih Khanum, His eldest daughter, married to Mirza Hadi. Their three children--Shoghi (boy), Ruhangiz (girl), Mihrangiz (girl).
Ruha Khanum, His daughter, married to Mirza Jalal. One child--Maryam (girl).
Tuba Khanum, His daughter, married to Mirza
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Muhsin. Their three children--Ruhi (boy), Thurayya (girl), Suhayl (boy).
Munavvar Khanum, His youngest daughter, unmarried. All her time is devoted to serving Abdu'l-Bahá personally, sharing the superintendence of domestic affairs with the Greatest Holy Leaf and interpreting for the American and English pilgrims.
The Holy Family is served in turn by a score of women, boys, and girls who are dependent upon Abdu'l-Bahá's bounty. Some of them are orphans of Persian Martyrs, to whom He offers a home; others are there by their own will, having begged for the privilege of serving. One serves at the house in Haifa, while her daughter is being educated by Abdu'l-Bahá, and so on. All seem to realize and appreciate fully the blessing of living under the same roof with Him, and all service is cheerfully and lovingly rendered.
Juliet Thompson formerly engaged to Mason Remey, called by Abdu'l-Baha his "daughter" during this time.
"If it is possible to love Mr Remey equally well, for him to take the place of the other, then I should be glad." He [`Abdu'l-Baha'] paused a moment. "But your marrying the other is very good, if you can make him a believer. And you must pray for it. If you see that he has an inclination to become a believer, even before he does so, you can marry him. If you can lead him to the Cause this is very, very good. Am I not a kind Father?" He asked." Diary of Juleit Thompson, http://www.bahai-library.com/books/thompson/2.html
"They are My sons. You are My daughters, My descendants by the Spirit, which is the nearest relationship. This day you are spiritually free." Then He dismissed us, saying, "Go and rest." http://www.bahai-library.com/books/thompson/2.html