Eric Karns

The latest news in my never-ending pursuit of ancestral information, I found that our family may be related to the actress Yvonne DeCarlo (pictured above) who has a star on the hollywood walk of fame. I ran into an online board where fellow DiCarlo’s (sometimes spelled De) all originating from Frosolone who were apparently related to this actress. So although it’s unconfirmed it’s a good possibility.

Another little tidbit I discovered was that the name DiCarlo somehow originates from King Charles V of Spain, who reigned around the mid-16th century. Broken down, the name literally means “of Charles”… although I don’t think it necessarily means ‘of’ in blood relation terms… probably more along the lines of being the property of or under the govern of…

That’s all for today’s report.

We had a great thanksgiving this year. Mom, dad, Jessica and Pete made the rainy 10 hour drive to DC and Mary and I made a 20 lb. turkey… (which surprisingly came out great, unlike the great ham mishap of ‘06.) We even got to visit the Aiken’s just before Alissa and Ben went to their wedding shower. I’m looking forward to completing the holiday blitz this Christmas in Michigan *fingers crossed for snow.

Ok, I found my great grandpa’s death certificate and contrary to my previous report, his death was a little less glamorous than was previously believed, haha. As it turns out, we already knew he was an alcoholic, and that he died suddenly and his death certificate says he died of brain hemorrhage with acute alcoholism being a contributing factor. I guess it’s no wonder he was an alcoholic considering the fact that he ran a saloon. He was only 33 years old when he died so my grandfather never really knew him - he died on my sister’s birthday in 1922 and was a fellow pisces.

The real mystery lies in the fact that his death certificate, which had information from his wife, states that his father was from Ireland when all previous census and WWI registration information says that his father was from Italy. So getting to the bottom of his real father is going to be a chore. I would just like to know if our family name is in fact Karns. One thing that is definitely confirmed though is that his mother’s maiden name was Cicardi and that she was from Genoa, Italy. I’ve even found what I believe is her immigration records from 1879.

This is the WWI Draft Registration card that my great grandpa Karns filled out in 1917. Robert John Karns is rumored to have died around 1921 (when my grandpa was only 2 or 3 years old) in a bar fight at the Saloon he owned in Kansas City.

I was able to trace my grandpa Karns’ ancestry through his mother’s lineage back to the 15th century and found some very interesting information. Through this particular branch, my family came from England in the 1600’s to St. Mary’s, Maryland where they eventually made their way to Kentucky and then Kansas City, Missouri where my grandpa was born.

Some famous people I am related to are:
President James Garfield (2nd president to be assasinated)
President Ronald Reagan
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Amelia Earhart
Winslow Homer
George Orwell
Audrey Hepburn

All very distantly of course, but still fun information to know!

Cool photos (from cousin Jon’s camera) of me and my Karns family cousins at Colin’s wedding last month. Top one from left to right: Colin, Me, Alissa, Ryan, Bittany, Kyle, Jon, Jessica

Bottom one: Evan, Me, Jon, Kyle

Good times.

We had a great time in Chicago for my cousin Colin’s wedding (which was beautiful). Hopefully I’ll have more photos to post soon.