Greece Compiled Genealogies

The term genealogy is used in this article and in the Family History Library Catalog to describe various records containing family information gathered by individuals, researchers, societies, or archives. These records may include pedigree charts, compiled information on families, correspondence, ancestor lists, research exchange files, record abstracts, and collections of original or copied documents. These can be excellent sources of information and may save you valuable time. Because they are not original records but are compiled from other sources, they should be carefully evaluated for accuracy.

Major Collections and Databases
The Family History Library has several sources that contain previous research or can lead you to others who are interested in sharing family information. These sources include:

International Genealogical Index. The index provides names and vital information for deceased persons. This information was mostly submitted by members of the LDS Church. Although only a limited number of persons from Greece are listed in this index, it is worth checking. This research tool lists birth, christening, or marriage dates. The International Genealogical Index is available at www.familysearch.org. as part of FamilySearch™. This index can be searched by surname.

Ancestral File. This file at www.FamilySearch.org, contains family history information linked in family groups and pedigrees that have been contributed since 1979. By 1992 the file contained millions of names, including those of many Greek families. Through Ancestral File you can print pedigree charts, family group records, and individual summary sheets for any person in the file. However, be aware that all information has been submitted by volunteers, so some of it may not be correct.

Family Group Records Collection. (online at www.FamilySearch.org in the IGI section) More than eight million family group record forms have been microfilmed in the Family Group Records Collection. The two major sections are the Archive Section and the Patrons Section. A special collection of Greek family group sheets is part of the Archive Section and can be found on FHL film 1281098. The film numbers for both sections are listed in the Author/Title section of the Family History Library Catalog under “Family Group Records Collection.”

Family Histories
Some Greek families have produced histories or newsletters that may include genealogical information, biographies, photographs, and other excellent information. These usually include several generations of the family. The Family History Library has a few published Greek family histories. Copies of these are listed in the surname section of the Family History Library Catalog. Not every name found in a family history will be listed; only the major surnames discussed in the family history are included in the catalog. Many Greek family histories are listed in a helpful bibliography of Greek family histories:


 * Elliniki Genealogiki Bibliografia - Greek Genealogical Bibliography 1800–1997). Athinai, Greece: D.A. Maurideros, 1998. (FHL book 949.5 D2m) This lists genealogical publications alphabetically by the name of the author. It does not have a surname index.

Internet
The Internet is a valuable tool for finding information on genealogical resources, coordinating research, and finding out what research may have already been done. Most of the information on the Internet is compiled from secondary sources and must be verified, but it may provide good clues and identify new sources to search. The Internet, certain computer bulletin boards, and commercial online services help family history researchers:


 * Locate other researchers
 * Post queries
 * Send and receive e-mail
 * Search large databases
 * Search computer libraries
 * Join in computer chat and lecture sessions
 * Obtain information about records and repositories
 * Access research and language aids

On the Internet, you can find research tips and information about ancestors from Greece in many sources at local, provincial, national, and international levels. The list of sources is growing rapidly. Most information is available at no cost. Information and guides are available on the Internet for research in Greece. Sites that include information about maps, directories, and other subjects are found in of Greece. General sites that act as an index to many interesting Greek genealogical sites on the Internet include:


 * Greek GenWeb Project: http://www.rootsweb.com/~grcwgw/
 * Family History Library home page: http://www.familysearch.org
 * Cyndi’s List of Genealogical Sites: http://www.cyndislist.com/greece.htm
 * Greek Genealogy Section of Hellenes- Diaspora: http://www.licacatsakis.com
 * Greek Telephone Directories (White Pages, and Yellow Pages, in Greek or in English): www.hellasyellow.gr


 * Greece Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/europe/greece/index.html

Internet site addresses can change often, so if you find one of these sites has moved or has been discontinued, try accessing a search engine and entering the subject of the former site.

Genealogical Collections
A book giving genealogical information on prominent Greek families, including family trees, is the following:

Sturdza, Mihail-Dimitri. Dictionnaire historique et généalogique des grandes familles de Grèce, d’Albanie et de Constantinople (Historical and Genealogical Dictionary of the Important Families of Greece, Albania, and Constantinople). Paris, France: L’Auteur, 1983. (FHL book 949.5 D5s) Includes an alphabetical index of family names at the end.

Books from the towns of Petrina (in the county of Lakonias) and Laukos (in the county of Magnisias) include genealogical information on families who lived there. Also some of the families of Hios (in Hiou), Ikaria (in Samou), and the island of Zakynthos appear in published books. A nice genealogy of the Kantakouzinou family from ancient times is also available. Such genealogies can be found in the Family History Library Catalog under:

GREECE - GENEALOGY

GREECE, [COUNTY] - GENEALOGY

GREECE, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - GENEALOGY

If you find your surname in any of the sources described in this section, determine whether the entry actually pertains to your family. All persons with the same surname are not necessarily related. Often, you will have to do some original research before you can connect your ancestry to families listed in these sources.