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Lausanne Centennial: Geographical Origins of Greek Refugees
July 24th, 2023, marked the centennial of the Treaty of Lausanne. This article aims to shed light on the historical context of that Treaty by studying newly digitized records of Asia Minor Greek refugees. The findings of the statistical analysis will enable us to visualize the geographical origins of the refugees and gain a deeper understanding of the history of Hellenism in Asia Minor.
Milestones in Greek Electoral History, pt. 2
This article explores milestones in Greek electoral history which shaped the trajectory of the nation in the 20th century.
Milestones in Greek Electoral History, pt. 1
This article explores milestones in Greek electoral history which have left an indelible mark and shaped the trajectory of the nation.
Greek Ocean Liners & American Immigration
This article aims to shed more light on the history of Greek ocean liners, the ships that carried many of our ancestors to what was seen as the “Promised Land.”
“Soul-children” (Ψυχοπαίδια)
By Maro Rempoutsika & Gregory Kontos In a notarial record signed on the island of Kythera in 1564, back when the island was under Venetian rule, we learn about the details of an adoption contract.[1] In particular, a man named Georgis Maneas, agreed to accept a...
Senior Prom
By George Zimmar The end of senior year was festive as I joined classmates to party. My parents had purchased a new 1955 Mercury sedan, with a blazing red and white two-tone color. Since my parents did not drive, I was charged with driving duties and used the car to...
GREEK GEN Z “REMEMBERS” WORLD WAR TWO
The younger generation, in general, seems not to know or even care about a historic event, the consequences of which are still visible today. The only solution is to rely on whatever, even indirect, “memory” is preserved and on historical study, in order to preserve the achievements of freedom and democracy for which those who are no longer with us fought.
Η ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ GEN Z “ΘΥΜΑΤΑΙ” ΤΟ Β’ ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΟ ΠΟΛΕΜΟ
Η μόνη λύση είναι να στηριχτούμε στην όποια, έστω έμμεση, “μνήμη” σώζεται, καθώς και στην ιστορική μελέτη, έτσι ώστε να διατηρήσουμε τα κεκτημένα της ελευθερίας και της δημοκρατίας για τα οποία αγωνίστηκαν αυτοί που τώρα δεν είναι κοντά μας.
Reconnecting with a Heroic Legacy
A WWII hero’s grandson reconnects with his Greek heritage through poignant wartime letters, shedding light on a remarkable past.
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Καλωσήρθες! Welcome to the Greek Genealogy Guide!
Here you can learn everything you need to know about Greek genealogy and family history.
Written by
Gregory Kontos,
Alexandra Kiritsy
and
Carol Kostakos Petranek
Hellenic ancestry is a source of extraordinary pride and unique identity. Learning the country’s history and understanding the life of its people is a continual journey of knowledge and discovery. Perhaps this is most evident in pursuing the study of one’s Greek family history. Fostering a connectedness to family can stretch beyond the living to include the departed, but only when information about them can be ascertained. What were the names of our second or third great-grandparents? How many children did they have? What were their occupations? And, most important—how do I even begin to access records about them?
Prior to now, answering these questions has been challenging. But the doors of Greek genealogy have now opened to reveal a new era in research. The work being done by Gregory Kontos of Greek Ancestry is groundbreaking and exciting. With the advent of online translated, name-indexed and searchable records from Greece, finding one’s ancestors is not only possible—it is highly probable!
By consulting this Guide, one can navigate the complexities of Greek genealogy and find the correct resources to both access and request relevant documentation for his or her ancestors. It is the beginning of an exciting journey of discovery—and love.
Carol Kostakos Petranek
January 31, 2021