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Just wanted to share this with you all, to encourage you to follow any leads or ideas in your research, no matter how remote you may think they are at the time.
About a year ago I decided I would try to research a bit of my Greek heritage. I only had a few scanty details from my father (who lives in Cyprus), but I knew that somewhere in Greece would be living relatives whom we had never met.
Out of curiosity, I Googled for the Greek Telephone Directory (wasn't even sure there was one online). To my surprise, there was. So I searched on our family surname (which is quite unusual) in the areas that my father's family were known to be from.
A whole list of names came up with addresses and phone numbers. Was no point me trying to telephone anyone as my Greek is very limited. So, I decided to write a letter to several of those on the list, outlining my purpose in trying to find anyone related to my Grandfather (I gave a brief family tree and a photo of my grandfather just in case someone couldn't read English but would recognise his face). I posted them off and just hoped that someone in their family would be able to read English (most of the younger generations do).
I didn't hear back from anyone so I gave up hope of tracing anyone that way. UNTIL ...
... I recently received a lovely Christmas card from someone calling himself "Uncle John" in Piraeus. His sister had received one of my letters and passed it over to him - and it took only a year to hear back from them LOL!!
At the weekend I received a 3 page letter (all in English)and some photocopied documents from him!
It turns out that he is my dad's first cousin whom my dad has not seen in a very long time. Apparently, Uncle John visited us in England when I was about 12yrs old but I don't remember him.
Anyway, the amazing thing is that he has provided me with so much information about my Greek family history that I was overwhelmed. He sent me a photocopy of my Great Grandmother's (Anastasia) passport dated 1907 when the family had to leave Bulgaria for political reasons - it lists 5 children with her (one of whom was my grandfather aged 1 yr - so this was enlightening as we had all assumed he was born in Greece - but it was Bulgaria - although they were of Greek origin). It also gives a physical description and her age (so now I know when she was born!).
He also sent me a copy of Anastasia's school report dated 1881 (she would have been about 11yrs old)!
She (and my Grt Grandad) had been living in Constantinople before moving to Bulgaria and then on to Greece. I also found out that Grt Grandad, Alexandros, was a wealthy livestock dealer "earning plenty of Turkish gold pounds!". Going back even further, Uncle John, provided me with the names of my Grt Grt grandparents and where they lived, occupation etc (he was a mayor!).
Sorry, I know I'm waffling but it's been so exciting finding out all this information so suddenly, especially as I never thought I'd ever be able to research the Greek side.
Now, thanks to my Googling, I have been able to reunite my father and his cousin and in the process have gained an Uncle and many cousins over in Greece whom I hope to be able to visit in the near future!
Not only am I looking forward to seeing them but also the very old photographs and documents - one such family portrait hangs in the old family home now occupied by John's elderly sister. The portrait is of Anastasia with two of her sons (one of whom was my grandad).
Just amazing, don't you think?
Athena
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Ellen,
Thanks for your story - it's great that you have found your family.
Lynn
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Hi Athena,
What a great story, bet you're glad you googled.
I too used Google every so often on my surnames that I am interested in.
Found one a while ago on my Great Great Great Grandad George Blewitt who was tried for the murder of a policeman in Essex in 1846.
Someone had written a book about it and it was advertised on a website.
Fascinating stuff.
Hope you really enjoy being in touch with your newly found relatives.
Linda
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Congratulations Athena.
It's lovely to hear a good news story!
Chris
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Wow!
What a fantastic story!.....Well done!!
Teresa
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Lovely to hear such good news!
Well sleuthed.
Sue
x
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Athena
what a fantastic story!!
How lucky you are.
It reminds me of my excitement before Christmas when we opened a box that had been stored in our basement since husband's mother sent it over here about 25 years ago.
Under the bumph on the top were all kinds of family photos dating from the 19th century, plus wedding invitations/cards, and obituary cards!
I called it my "mother lode"!
sylvia
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Athena, how absolutely marvellous for you and your family. I so enjoyed reading your excitement. Thank you for sharing it with us. Have you booked your flight now?
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Hi Athenia,
Congrats - thanks for sharing this with us. It gives us all heart.
Kathy
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Hi All - thanks for reading about my recent experience. It's been such an exciting time for me - and this is only the beginning on this family branch!
My uncle has said he has more info to share with me in his next letter, with more photos etc (he was worried that 3 pages might already have been too much in one go - he obviously doesn't know how much I thrive on family history info!!).
Yesterday, I began delving into the history of Bulgaria at around the time my ancestors left there in 1907 and it was quite shocking to find out that at that time of political unrest several thousands of foreigners occupying parts of Bulgaria were slaughtered and hundreds had to go into hiding along the borders (I think from around 1903). As my family were Greek they were of this "foreigner" class.
It has certainly given me loads to ponder over - and realising how very fortunate my ancestors were to make it across the border alive (although sadly quite a few from their families did not make it).
Right, I'd best get my next letter to Uncle written - the sooner he gets mine, the sooner he'll write back LOL
You'll be telling me to put a sock in it if I rattle on too much (but what's a girl supposed to do when nobody in the family is interested in any of this apart from me? Who can I share my excitement with apart from you guys, eh?).
Regards - Athena
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Great news Athena, I am too of Greek Heritage, though my grandfather was born in Constantinople Turkey , to a Greek father and mother of Ottoman descent, {makes me a bit of a "Heinz 57" i think }LOL.... I don`t think the telephone directory would be of much use to me........my grandfather came over here in 1901 a widower with a young son who was born on the Island of Kois {Kos?}, and all I do know is that when he was nateuralised in 1922 he had a brother, and a sister married to a priest, both still living in Constantinople, after that my "Greek" side goes cold, so the fact you have managed to find an uncle is fantastic news,so pleased for you. Glad you were able to share it with us "family historians"... I know how you feel ,no one in my gamily is remotely intrested.
Nicky
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