by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2025

Anna Maria Canizares De Rodriguez was born on November 6, 1906, in Key West, Florida to Manuel Rodriguez De Canizares (1866–1930) and Clara Dena Knowles (1879–1961). Manuel came from Cuba. Clara Dena was of the first Bahamian Knowles generation to be born in the United States.

Clara Dena Knowles
Manuel Rodriguez de Canizares
Anna Maria Canizares

SIBLINGS

  • Manuel ‘Manolo’ Canizares Rodriguez 1902. 
  • John Andrew Rodriguez 1903
  • Clarie was born on September 22, 1911, in Florida
Manolo RODRIGUEZ Canizares
John Andrew Canizares Rodriguez
Clarie Lariz

HALF-SIBLINGS

  • Rosina Violet was born on December 27, 1896, in Key West, Florida (Father Enrique Manuel Rodriguez)
  • Clara Belle was born on February 23, 1917, in Key West, Florida (Father Manuel Lariz)
  • Andrew Woodrow (Bubby) was born on July 3, 1919, in Key West, Florida (Father Manuel Lariz)
  • A brother was born on July 26, 1921, and passed away that same day. (Father Manuel Lariz)
Rosine Rodriguez
Clara Belle Lariz
Andrew Lariz

MARRIAGES

  1. She married Harry Churb Whitehurst on March 11, 1922, and they had three children together. They divorced in 1942 in Hillsborough, Florida, after 20 years of marriage.

CHILDREN

  • Olivia was born on March 3, 1923, in Tampa, Florida.
  • Gilbert ‘Gil’ Nordour was born on April 19, 1925.
  • Winfield ‘Winn’ was born on February 18, 1930, in Tampa, Florida.
Olivia Whitehurst with her mother, Anna
Gilbert Whitehurst
Winfield Whitehurst

Her son, Winn served in the Navy during the Korean War and gave the Tampa Bay Police Department 25 years of service. After his retirement from the Tampa Bay Police Department he joined the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office where he retired as a Major. He remained a Charter Member of the Tampa Bay Fraternal Order of Police. He was a proud member of The Mason’s, The Shriner’s, Pt. St. Lucie Yacht Club and The Elk’s Lodge #2823. (Winfield Whitehurst’s obituary)

2. She then married James Richard Newkirk on December 10, 1942, in Hillsborough, Florida. 

RESIDENCES

In 1910, Anna lived with her parents at 907 Grinnell St in Key West, Florida. Her father worked in a cigar factory.

1910 U.S. Census

In 1920, she lived with her mother and stepfather (Manuel Lariz) at 1023 Watson St in Key West, Florida. 

1920 U.S. Census

In 1929, Harry and Anna lived at 1206 Gracia Ave in Tampa, Florida. Harry is listed in the directory as ‘fisherman’

1929 City Directory, Tampa Florida

In 1930, Anna lived with her husband, Harry Whitehurst and children at 1409 Florida Ave in Tampa, Florida.

1930 U.S. Census

In 1940, Anna lived with children Olivia and Gilbert in Tampa, Florida on Oak St. She worked as a book binder for the WPA Book Binding Project.

1940 U.S. Census

Above images from various WPA historical sites. Woman in photo unknown.

You can read about the project here: A Stitch in Time: Bookbinding and Repair Under the WPA https://bookbindersmuseum.org/a-stitch-in-time-bookbinding-and-repair-under-the-wpa/

In 1950, Anna lived with her 2nd husband, James Newkirk at 3417 Leroy St in Tampa, Florida. James worked as a taxi driver.

1950 U.S. Census

DEATH

She died on August 23, 1968, in Tampa, Florida, at the age of 61.

SOURCES

1910 United States Federal Census; 1920 United States Federal Census; 1930 United States Federal Census; 1940 United States Federal Census; 1950 United States Federal Census; Florida Death Index, 1877-1998; Florida Divorce Index, 1927-2001; Florida, County Marriage Records, 1823-1982; Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current (The Tampa Tribune, 25 Aug 1968); U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current; 1929 Tampa City Directory; 

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