52 Ancestors – 52 Weeks

The prompt for Week 28 is multiple.

In genealogy we usually concentrate on surnames since they are the most important way of identifying people who are related. A surname is usually inherited and, while it may be changed, some form of it is usually retained. Given names are more important in a way because they represent a voluntary choice by the parents or, sometimes, by an individual. A name is usually not given lightly. It represents thought and feelings and can be significant to the researcher. (The Importance of Names and Naming Patterns, Genealogy.com)

For this week I’ve decided to unscramble the eight men named John Carew in my family tree. I wrote about the John Fitzgeralds in my dad’s line in Week 6 under the title “Same Name.” I knew there were several John Carews in dad’s mother’s line so I’ve decided its time to have a good look at them. With the exception of “Lake John” Carew, all the John Carews spoken of here were either born in Waupaca County, Wisconsin or were sons of someone who was born there.

Before I tell you about the John Carews in my family let me share with you what Wikipedia says about the popularity of the name John. “John owes its unique popularity to two highly revered saints, John the Baptist (forerunner of Jesus Christ) and the apostle John (traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of John); the name has since been chosen as the regnal or religious name of many emperors, kings, popes and patriarchs.” (en.Wikipedia.org)

The earliest “John” in the Carew line that I have a record of is John “Lake John” Carew. He emigrated to Canada with his parents in 1825 with the Peter Robinson settlement group. He was only four at the time. His parents were the first Carews to emigrate from Ireland to North America.

As an adult, “Lake John” purchased land near Bear Lake, Waupaca Co., Wisconsin and thus earned his nickname to differentiate him from other John Carews in the same area.

• John “Lake John” Carew
• 1821-1893
• My third great uncle
• Father: Michael Carew
• Mother: Ann Hogan

My great grandfather, John Michael Carew, was next in the line of Carew men named John. John Michael was known as John Michael.

• John Michael Carew
• 1855-1927
• My great grandfather
• Father: James Carew
• Mother: Mary Ann Doran

Next in line is “Long John” Carew. I am not certain how he gained his nickname, but my guess would be that he was the tallest of the John Carews living at the time.

• John “Long John” Carew
• 1862-1921
• My fourth great uncle
• Father: Patrick Carew
• Mother: Ellen Sullivan

“Young John” Carew gained his nickname because he is the son of “Lake John” Carew.

• John Monroe “Young John” Carew
• 1871-1960
• Father: John “Lake John” Carew
• Mother: Ann Jane Sloan

“Rex” Carew is my great uncle and brother of my grandmother Grace Carew Fitzgerald. His father is also John Carew.

• John Rexford “Rex” Carew
• 1899-1983
• My great uncle
• Father: John Michael Carew
• Mother: Rosanna Dinneen

“Lake John” Carew is the grandfather of John Henry Carew.

• John Henry Carew
• 1909-1987
• My first cousin twice removed
• Father: Hugh Carew
• Mother: Ellen Murray

“Jack” Carew is my great uncle Alvin’s son. Jack is a common nickname for John.

• John L. “Jack” Carew
• 1924-2012
• My first cousin once removed
• Father: Alvin Carew
• Mother: Margaret Hayes

“Lake John” Carew is the grandfather of John Berry Carew.

• John Berry Carew
• 1957-1996
• My third cousin once removed
• Father: Michael Carew
• Mother: Barbara Heston

Compiling this post was a worthwhile task as it allowed me to make certain the information I have in my Ancestry.com database about John Carews in my line is correct.