by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2024
Clarie LARIS (Lariz) was born on September 22, 1911, in Key West, Florida to Clara Dena KNOWLES (1879-1961), and Manuel RODRIGUEZ de CANIZARES (1875-1929 Cuba). He was raised by his step-father, Manuel Andres LARIZ (1875-1947).
SIBLINGS
- Manuel Canizares Rodriguez b. 1902 (PARENTS: Manuel RODRIGUEZ de CANIZARES and Clara Dena KNOWLES)
- John Andrew Rodriguez b. 1903 (PARENTS: Manuel RODRIGUEZ de CANIZARES and Clara Dena KNOWLES)
- Anna Maria b. 1906 (PARENTS: Manuel RODRIGUEZ de CANIZARES and Clara Dena KNOWLES)
HALF-SIBLINGS
- Rosina Violet b. December 27, 1896, in Key West, Florida. (PARENTS: Enrique Manuel RODRIGUEZ and Clara Dena KNOWLES)
- Clara Bell b. February 23, 1917, in Key West, Florida (PARENTS: Manuel Andres LARIZ and Clara Dena KNOWLES)
- Andrew Woodrow (Bubby) was born on July 3, 1919, in Key West, Florida (PARENTS: Manuel Andres LARIZ and Clara Dena KNOWLES)
In 1920, Clarie lived with his parents and siblings at 1023 United St in Key West, Florida. His father worked as a cigarmaker.
1st MARRIAGE
Clarie married Amelia PEREZ in Florida on March 31, 1930, when he was 18 years old. Clarie and Amelia were divorced in 1935 in Monroe, Florida, after 5 years of marriage. He was 24 years old.
They had one child, Gilbert Alfred Laris.
In 1930, Clarie lived at 722 Angela St in Key West with his wife, Amelia. He worked as a baker in a bake shop.
2nd MARRIAGE
He married Mercedes CUERVO in 1937 and they had one child, Anola in 1939.
In 1940, Clarie lived at 2325 Pine St in Tampa, Florida with his wife, Mercedes and daughter, Anola. Clarie worked as a seaman for a steamer boat line.
In 1944 he was living at 1111 White Street in Key West and was a merchant marine for S.A.A.
In 1950, Clarie lived in Tampa, Florida with his wife, Mercedes and daughter, Anola. He worked as a merchant marine for a shipping company and Mercedes worked as a cigar maker at a cigar factory.
FAMILY MEMORIES
Clarie’s niece, Jane Garcia Rowland recalls, “When he was 15, he ran away from home to get away from his mama. He enlisted and lied about his age, saying he was 19. He didn’t know how to spell his name because he had never been to school. Whoever filled out the paperwork spelled his name Laris. So that is the way he and his descendants spelled it from that point on. He and Uncle John raised collard greens, peppers, tomatoes, chickens, and pigs on Big Coppitt Key. They also had some goats. We kids would name them and love them and get upset when he would kill and eat them. We refused to eat anything except the pigs and chickens. Clarie loved us kids. He took me to a carnival and bought me a toy monkey. He also bought me a little red purse.
Clarie Laris (Lariz) died on July 22, 2000, in Tampa, Florida, when he was 88 years old.
NOTE: Any additional info or photos would be appreciated.
SOURCES: Ancestry.com, United States Federal Census Records, Personal interview with Jane GARCIA Rowland.
ANCESTRY WORKSHEET last updated September 9, 2026 by Karen Yvonne Hamilton
BIOGRAPHY LINK:
| Supporting Document | |
| Clarie Laris (Lariz) | U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Departure Port Caibarien, Cuba, Arrival Date 9 Apr 1947, Arrival Port New York, New York, USA, Ship Name BrandywineNew York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Departure Port Matanzas, Cuba Arrival Date 20 Feb 1934, Arrival Port New York, New York, USA, Ship Name DerbylineNew York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Departure Port: Leixoes, Portugal, Arrival Date 14 Nov 1950, Arrival Port New York, New York, USA, Ship Name Mary J GoulandrisNew Orleans, Passenger Lists, 1813-1963, Port of Departure San Juan, Puerto Rico, Arrival Date 2 Jul 1944, Port of Arrival New Orleans, Louisiana, Ship Name FloridaFlorida Passenger Lists, 1898-1964, Arrival Date 12 Jun 1946, Arrival Place Miami, Florida, USA, Flight Number 33322, Airline Pan American |
| Father: Manuel Rodriguez Canizares | Family lore |
| Step-father: Manuel Lariz | Family lore; The Miami News, 18 Feb 1947 Obituary for Manuel Lariz. Lists children as “three sons, Domingo, Andrew and Claude; one daughter, Mrs. Evilio Garcia”. |
| Mother: Clara Dena Knowles | U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; inferred from Census records; Family lore |
| Birth Date: September 22, 1911 | Inferred from Census records; U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Departure Port: Leixoes, Portugal, Arrival Date 14 Nov 1950, Arrival Port New York, New York, USA, Ship Name Mary J Goulandris; New Orleans, Passenger Lists, 1813-1963, Port of Departure San Juan, Puerto Rico, Arrival Date 2 Jul 1944, Port of Arrival New Orleans, Louisiana, Ship Name Florida |
| Birth Location: Key West, Florida | U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 |
| MARRIAGE: Amelia Perez, March 31, 1930, divorced in 1935 in Monroe, Florida | Florida Marriage Collection, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001, Clarie Lariz and Amelia Perez, Marriage Date 1930, Monroe, Florida, USA Certificate 3613, Volume 104, Source Florida Department of Health Florida, County Marriage Records, 1823-1982, Clarie Lariz and Amelia Perez, Marriage Date31 March 1930, Florida |
| MARRIAGE: Mercedes Cuervo, Hillsborough, Florida, on March 6, 1937 | U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 |
| Residences | |
| Key West, Florida, in 1920 | 1920 United States Federal Census |
| Key West, Florida, in 1930 | 1930 United States Federal Census |
| Tampa, Florida, in 1935 | Florida Divorce Index, 1927-2001 (Clarie Laris and Amelia Laris) Monroe, Florida, Certificate Number 4095 |
| Tampa, Florida, on March 6, 1937 | The Tampa Daily Times, Tampa, Florida · Saturday, March 06, 1937 Marriage License. Claudio Laris, 26, 2117 Pine St., and Mercedes Cuervo, 24, 1943 Main St. |
| Key West, Florida, in 1940 | 1940 United States Federal Census |
| Tampa, Hillsborough Co, Florida, in 1945 | Florida State Census, 1867-1945, Locality Precinct 9, County Hillsborough, Page 1, Line 12, Archive Series # S1371, Roll 20 |
| Tampa, Hillsborough Co, Florida in 1950 | 1950 United States Federal Census |
| 3820 Laurel Av, Tampa, Hillsborough Co, Florida in 1993 | U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 1 |
| Death Date: July 22, 2000 | Social Security Death Index |
| Death Location: Tampa, Hillsborough Co, Florida | Social Security Death Index |
| Burial: |
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