Greek Ancestry Newsletter
October 2022, V.I Issue 8
We love our Greek Ancestry community and want to keep you up to date!
Besides, who does not need company in their family history journey?
Celebrating "OXI" Day
G. Zimmar, "Hamartia: Missing The Mark"
Shortly after WWII ended, Greek immigration to the United States reopened. My dad’s cousin Christos Tseronis was an early arrival (1946), and for brief periods he stayed at our home as he applied for investiture of his credentials in medicine. A tall, handsome man in his mid-30s with an aquiline nose and pencil mustache, he cut a dashing figure. Yet a shroud of doom encircled his persona.
S. Pitsineli & G. Kontos, "Heroes Till The End: The Last Moments of Greek Fighters"
"When you read these lines, my child, I will not be in life. My little boy, I will die with your name on my lips and shout “Long live Greece” (Zito I Ellas). I kiss you sweetly my little man. Your father, Ilias Kanaris.”
In the morning of October 28th, 1940, the Radio Station of Athens and its broadcaster Kostas Stavropoulos announced Greece's entry into World War II.

Translation of the announcement:

This is the Radio Station of Athens. We are transmitting the first announcement of the Greek General Military Office. "The Italian military forces are invading since 5.30 in the morning today our fortifications on the Greek-Albanian border. Our forces are defending the grounds of the homeland."
Greek Adoption Records Digitization
On August 29th Greek Ancestry and the International Social Service (ISS) - Greek Branch inaugurated their collaboration to digitize the invaluable archival collection of the ISS!

Covering the years from the 1950s up to 1985, our project aims at preserving the history of Greek children adopted by families abroad. In the adoption files we are discovering amazing stories and incredible documents: letters written before mothers put their children up for adoption, letters of the adoptive families, photos and drawings of children, newspaper articles etc.

By October 27th, we digitized 600 cases or 32,000 pages! Click on the button below and help us continue!
Genealogy Research Tips
Carol Kostakos Petranek

Is it True? You Decide!

It’s happened to all of us – someone posts information about your surname on a genealogy Facebook page or an online family tree. Your eyes pop and then the adrenaline rush hits. Could this be the clue you’ve been seeking? Everything seems right. The name is the same. The village is close to yours. The dates may be a bit off but we know that’s common in Greek genealogy. Your intense desire to find your ancestors may overcome a speculative thought that creeps in when you see that no source or notation is given. Brushing that pesky thought aside, you happily add the name to your family tree. Success!

But is it? No! You have just succumbed to one of the most dangerous aspects of genealogy research: accepting someone else’s research conclusions without independent verification... Read more on Spartan Roots!


Georgia Stryker Keilman

During WWII, Greece's Jewish communities suffered greatly with 86% of their people being kidnapped and murdered in the concentration camps of the Nazis. On the Hellenic Genealogy Geek website you will find an extensive list of resources about Greek Jews.
Greek Genealogy Guidebook
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.
Greek Ancestry