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ARCADIA (TRIPOLI)
Administrative Unit of Crete
Introduction Crete became part of Greece in 1913. Prior to then, it was under Ottoman rule from 1669-1897; then it functioned as an autonomous state until its union with Greece in 1913. The region of Crete includes several islands: Crete, of course, but also...
Administrative Unit of South Aegean
Introduction Since antiquity, the South Aegean islands (Cyclades and Dodecanese) have played a crucial role in maritime history, travel and trade among the Mediterranean continents. The region is the most popular tourist destination in Greece. Forty-eight of the...
Administrative Unit of Peloponnese
Introduction The Peloponnese is home to the notable cities of Sparta, Corinth and Olympia. Settled in prehistoric times, this “island of Pelops” is connected to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth and the Rio-Antirrio bridge. Also known as the Morea during...
Administrative Unit of North Aegean
Introduction The North Aegean islands are situated in the northeastern Aegean Sea, close to the Asia Minor coast: Samos (Σάμος), Ikaria (Ικαρία), Chios (Χίος), Lesvos (Λέσβος), Lemnos (Λήμνος), Agios Efstratios (Άγιος Ευστράτιος), Psara (Ψαρά), Fournoi Korseon...
Administrative Unit of Ionian Islands
Introduction Situated along the west coast of Greece, the Ionian islands are comprised of seven large and many smaller ones: Kerkyra/Corfu (Κέρκυρα); Paxos (Παξοί); Lefkada (Λευκάδα) or Lefkas; Ithaki (Ιθάκη) or Ithaca; Kefalonia (Κεφαλονιά) or Cefalonia,...
An Unexpected Journey: Tale of “Dimitri” and his abduction
By Alexandra Kiritsy Mysteries are contained within all of our genealogies. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to crack them, but all too frequently, the nature of time and space seem to veil the truth forever. Today on Yiayia & Me, we’d like to share one of these...
Greek Ancestry Education, Case Study Webinar #2 (Oct. 24th, 2020): Jewish Communities of Greece
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzBrAz_aoKM
Greek Ancestry Education, Case Study Webinar #1 (Oct. 17th, 2020): Asia Minor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0sumW8rRYs
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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
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