Main contributors: Georgia Stryker Keilman and Daniel Maurice
Greek Diaspora refers to the large communities of Greek origin scattered across many, especially Western, counties who share their Greek cultural and regional origin but are living away from their traditional homeland. Like other national diasporas it reflects deliberate colonization by Greeks of new territories, voluntary emigration from Greece and, in some cases, the forced movement of Greek people (although the last mentioned has mainly involved the return of displaced Greeks fromTurkeyto Greece).
Greek boys working as "Bootblacks" in Indianapolis, 1908
The World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) has estimated that combined national census data equates to around three million Greeks living outside Greece and Cyprus. Other estimates put the figure around 5 million.[1] The SAE itself believes that the true global Greek diaspora is closer to seven million, that is almost half the size of the current population of Greece.
Greek emigration is a complex historical phenomenon that spans centuries and has left an indelible mark on various parts of the world. It is a story of economic hardships, political upheavals, and the search for better opportunities that compelled millions of Greeks to leave their homeland and forge new lives in foreign lands. From ancient times to the present day, Greek emigration has shaped both the Greek identity and the cultures of the places in which they settled.
Empire of Ancient Greece stretched across much of the the world, as known to them
The earliest form of Greek emigration can be traced back to the period of ancient Greece, around the 8th to 6th centuries Before the Christian Era (BCE). The Greeks established colonies across the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, including areas that are now part of modern day Egypt, Italy, France, Turkey and Ukraine. These colonies facilitated trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of Greek language and customs.
Following Alexander the Great’s conquests, Greek colonization expanded into West Asia, and Northwest India. Of particular note was the Indo-Greek Kingdom, also known historically as the Yavana Kingdom dating from from around 200 BCE to the year 10 in the Christian Era (CE) and stretching from modern Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwestern India.[2]
There have been repeated waves of greek emigration over the last two centuries, driven by different forces.[3] While economic factors have frequently played a role, modern technology, globalization, and educational pursuits have more recently emerged as major drivers. Skilled professionals, students, and entrepreneurs often seek international experiences to enhance their careers and broaden their horizons. The loss of highly skilled Greek professionals, while a concern, has also led to a new form of cultural diplomacy as they contribute to global innovation and progress.
Greek migrants arriving at a displaced person camp in Bremerhaven, post WWII, the first stop on their way to a new life overseas
In the 19th century, Greece experienced economic difficulties and political instability after gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821. North Africa, specifically Libya, witnessed a substantial influx of Greek immigrant during this time.[4]
The combination of poverty, and lack of opportunities prompted many Greeks to seek a better life abroad. The United States, Canada, Australia, and South America were among the popular destinations for Greek migrants. They faced challenges, including discrimination and cultural adjustment, but their perseverance led to the establishment of vibrant Greek communities that maintained their language.
The early 20th century a desire to secure a better life resulted in mass Greek immigration to the United States. Greek immigrants often worked in manual labor, such as building railroads, mining, and working in factories.
At the same time large-scale inward forced migration occurred from Turkey. More than one million Greek Orthodox natives from Asia Minor, Thrace, and the Black Sea areas fled as a result of violence against the Greek population (1914-1923) and Greece’s subsequent defeat in the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922). In 1923, following the mass killing of Christian Ottomans across Anatolia, the surviving Cappadocian Greek native communities were compelled to resettle in Greece as part of a negotiated Greek–Turkish population exchange. Today, the descendants of this displaced people can be found throughout Greece and the Greek diaspora worldwide.
The aftermath of World War II and the Greek Civil War (1946-1949) saw another wave of Greek emigration. The conflict and political tensions between communist and anti-communist forces led to a divide within the Greek population. Many left-leaning individuals and their families, fearing persecution, sought refuge in Eastern European countries or further afield in Australia and North America. This marked a period of politically motivated Greek emigration.
Greece’s economic transformation in the latter half of the 20th century brought about increased prosperity and development. However, economic disparities between urban and rural areas persisted. As the Greek economy expanded, a pattern of circular migration emerged, where individuals would temporarily move abroad to work, sending remittances back to their families, and eventually returning home. This phenomenon was particularly evident in countries like Germany, where Greeks took advantage of job opportunities within the European Union.
The 2008 global financial crisis hit Greece particularly hard, resulting a brain drain as severe economic downturn, high unemployment rates, and austerity measures. This crisis triggered a significant wave of emigration, often referred to as a “brain drain.” Highly educated young Greeks sought opportunities abroad, primarily in European countries and the United States. This emigration of skilled professionals further strained Greece’s efforts to recover from the economic crisis.[5]
Major destinations for the Greek Diaspora
Today there would be few countries around the world that do not boast a Greek community, especially across Europe and New World nations in the Americas and Asia-Pacific.
Today the United States is home to the largest population of Greek descent outside of Greece, with over three million Greek-Americans, mainly third or fourth generation immigrants residing in the country
Greek community celebrating Australia Day, Jan 2014Greek immigration to Australia began in the 1850s, with many Greeks initially arriving as part of the gold rush. In the 1950s, and 1960s, Greek immigration to Australia increased significantly. Today, Greek Australians make up one of the largest ethnic groups in the country, numbering around 700,000 and consisting of mainly second and third generation immigrants.
Greek immigration to Canada can be traced back to in the early 1900s. It increased significantly post World War II. Today, Canada is home to an estimated 250,000 people of Greek descent living in the country.
Other European countries with significant Greek communities, include Germany (estimated 450,000), the United Kingdom (estimated 400,000) and Albania.
Outside Europe significant Greek communities are also found in Chile (estimated 120,000) and South Africa (estimated 70,000).
In each of these countries Greek emigrants tend to be concentrated in a small number of cities.[6]
Organisations supporting the Greek Diaspora
Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church has played a significant role in the lives of Greek immigrants and their descendants in the Diaspora. The church provided a sense of community and belonging for Greeks who left their homeland to settle in foreign countries. For the Diaspora the Church helped preserve Greek culture and provided practical assistance such as services such as language classes, job training, counseling, religion education and support for Greek charities. The Church has also played a political role, lobbying for Greek interests and supporting politicians who are sympathetic to the Greek cause. All these activities to help new immigrants adjust to life in a new country.[7]
For the amateur genealogist researching Greek ancestry these organisations provide another potential source of valuable information, especially for very specific information or to provide clues on who to break through a research roadblock.
Legacy and cultural influence
Greek emigration has left an indelible mark on the cultures of the host countries. Greek cuisine, language, music, and religious practices have become integrated into the fabric of societies around the world. Greek communities have often been centers of cultural exchange and preservation, allowing subsequent generations to maintain a strong connection to their heritage while embracing their new identities.
Other valuable MyHeritage resources for researching the Greek Diaspora are two webinars, one explaining how to make best use of the MyHeritage Greek collections and another which describes the Eftychia Project, aimed at helping Greek adoptees find their birth families. The Family Tree webinar series provides additional support through its webinars on an "Introduction to Tracing your Greek Ancestry" and Greece’s Top 5 Types of Genealogy Records.
Beyond MyHeritage other free resources to explore are:
WorldGenWeb Project is a valuable guide to Hellenic ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Here the family researcher can find information on birth records, marriage records, death records, census data, and more.
FamilySearch - Greece Genealogy provides guidance and in some cases direct access to information on Greek parish registers, transcripts, census records, birth records, marriage records, and death records.
Greek Diaspora Communities provides multiple lists of links, in different categories, to help with Greek family history research
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