Anna Keane : Short Biography

Anna (Keane) Carr and her younger brother, Joseph Henry Keane, attended Ranelagh school in Athlone for approximately ten years circa 1820s-1840s. Anna was born in County Cavan, and presumably Joseph was too. Their father was a British soldier and died while Anna and Jospeh were quite young. Their older sister (name unknown) was married to a teacher (name unknown) at Ranelagh school. After completing studies, Joseph became an officer in the British Navy and Anna immigrated to New York. Anna married John Carr (Jr) in New York, who also was born in County Cavan (though it is unknown if they were acquainted in the Old County). Anna adopted John's Catholic religion, despite her Episcopalian upbringing. Given the background, it seems likely Anna was of English descent and John was of Irish or Scottish decent. The couple eventually moved West, settling in Iowa and had 9 children. Their son, Peter Carr, married Sarah McCarthy and had a daughter, Ethel Carr, who married Elmer Abbott. Grandma Ethel was my great-grandmother, thus making Anna (Keane) Carr my Third Great-Grandmother. I would surely appreciate any further information allowed regarding this Keane family history and ancestry, if anyone perhaps has insight. Slainte