His father, Francisco María Canavery, a lieutenant of the cavalry of the State of Buenos Aires, participated in the Revolution of 11 September 1852 and in the defense of Buenos Aires during the siege of Colonel Hilario Lagos. His brother Saturnino Canavery and his cousin Ángel Canavery, were his comrades in the Desert Expeditions. Several of his ancestors and relatives were linked to distinguished patriots of the War of Independence, among them Francisco Pelliza, and Juan Gregorio Lemos.