Embarking on a journey to discover your Greek ancestry is an exciting and rewarding adventure. Whether your family hails from the mountains of Macedonia, the islands of the Aegean, or a Greek community abroad, this guide will provide a friendly introduction to Greek genealogy. We’ll cover how to get started (both in Greece and in diaspora communities), regional differences in records, major record types (from church and civil records to military and school archives), Greek naming conventions, and resources to help you overcome language barriers. By the end, you should feel confident and prepared to begin uncovering your Hellenic heritage.
Getting Started: Home Sources & Greek Diaspora CluesGetting Started: Home Sources & Greek Diaspora Clues
Begin with what you know. Just like any genealogy project, start by gathering information from your own family and local records. Interview relatives for names, dates, and stories. Collect any documents (birth certificates, obituaries, letters, family bibles) you can find. For many Greek descendants, much initial research happens outside of Greece, in the countries where your ancestors immigrated.
Search local records in the diaspora: Look at U.S. or other country records for clues about your immigrant Greek ancestors. For example, census records can reveal approximate birth years and immigration years, and naturalization papers or marriage licenses often list an ancestor’s place of birth. In the U.S., resources like the Ellis Island passenger lists or ship manifests are invaluable. These documents might show your ancestor’s last residence or birth village, and who they were joining in the new country. Nearly every American family of Hellenic descent can find useful details in immigration records and naturalizations (such as original Greek names and hometowns).
Identify the original Greek name and village: One of your most important goals early on is to determine your ancestral family’s original surname in Greek (since it may have been altered in spelling after immigration) and the exact village or town of origin in Greece. Greek immigrants often reported a nearby large city as their hometown (for example, saying “Sparta” when their village was just nearby). Try to pinpoint the precise village. Clues can come from passenger lists (which might list a village), naturalization records, or even the Social Security application (SS-5) if in the U.S., which sometimes recorded birthplaces. Knowing the correct original name and village is the key that will unlock Greek records.
Connect with the Greek community: Don’t overlook community resources. Greek diaspora communities (churches, cultural associations, etc.) might have newsletters, memorial books, or archives of their own. For instance, the Greek Orthodox parish your family attended abroad may have baptismal or marriage registers with ancestral info. Greek-American newspapers (like The National Herald (Εθνικός Κήρυξ) which has a digital archive) can contain obituaries and community news naming relatives and hometowns. Online forums and social media groups (such as the active “Hellenic Genealogy Geek” Facebook group) are welcoming places to ask questions, share knowledge, and possibly find distant cousins.
By gathering as many clues as possible from sources close to home, you’ll build a foundation to confidently dive into Greek-based research.
Understanding Greek Regions and Historical ContextUnderstanding Greek Regions and Historical Context
Greece’s history and regional diversity have a big impact on what records are available for your research. As you identify your ancestral hometown, take note of its region and historical background. Here’s an overview of major areas of Greece and how their unique history might affect your search:
Peloponnese (Southern Greece): This peninsula (including regions like Laconia, Messenia, Arcadia, etc.) was part of the first independent Greek state after the 1821 War of Independence. Many families here adopted fixed surnames by the 19th century, often patronymic with suffix “-opoulos” meaning “descendant of”. The Peloponnese has extensive church records (post-1830s) and was included early in civil record-keeping. If your roots are in the Peloponnese, you may also find clues in the Male Registers and voter lists kept from the mid-1800s (more on these records below).
Epirus, Thessaly, and Macedonia (Northern Greece): These regions became part of Greece later (Thessaly in 1881; Epirus and much of Macedonia in 1913 after the Balkan Wars). Before that, they were under Ottoman Empire administration. Thus, Greek Orthodox church records exist (in Greek language), but civil registration began only after incorporation into Greece. If your ancestors are from these areas, you may find fewer Greek civil records before 1913, and you might need to rely on church registers or Ottoman-era documents. Surnames here sometimes have Slavic or Albanian influences, and suffixes like “-idis” (common for Greeks from Asia Minor and Pontos but also seen in the north) or “-opoulos” and “-oudis/–oudis”. Macedonia also had many families with “-idis” endings (a legacy of Byzantine naming customs).
Crete: Crete was ruled by the Ottoman Empire until 1898 and then was an autonomous state before uniting with Greece in 1913. It has its own naming style – surnames often end in “-akis” (meaning “little” or “descendant of”). If you have Cretan ancestry, expect to use church records for events before 1913. Crete also has a rich tradition of notarial records (many Venetian and Ottoman-era contracts and wills survive in archives). Civil records start after unification. The good news is Cretan people maintained detailed church registers in many areas, and some have been indexed.
Ionian Islands: Islands like Corfu (Kerkyra), Kefalonia, Zakynthos, etc., were under Venetian and then British rule until 1864. They have some of the earliest civil record collections in Greece because the Venetians and British kept vital records and census data. For example, Corfu has records of births, marriages, and deaths from the mid-1800s (in Italian or Greek). Surnames here might have Latin or Italian flavor; e.g., ending in “-atos” (common in Kefalonia). If your family is from the Ionian Islands, check for Italian/Latin spellings of names and be prepared to find records in those languages, in addition to Greek.
Aegean Islands & Dodecanese: The Aegean islands vary – some, like those in the Cyclades (e.g., Syros, Naxos), were long under Ottoman rule but with significant Catholic populations (meaning some church records might be in Catholic parish archives or in Latin). The Dodecanese (e.g., Rhodes, Kos) were Ottoman, then under Italian rule from 1912 until 1947. As a result, civil records in the Dodecanese really begin after World War II when they joined Greece, though Italian authorities (and the Orthodox Church) did keep some records earlier. If your ancestry is from these islands, you may need a Greek speaker to navigate archives, as many records (Ottoman Turkish or Italian) have not been widely translated. On the other hand, church records and family memorial books can be goldmines for island genealogy.
Asia Minor (Anatolia) Greek communities: Many people of Greek heritage trace their roots to cities and villages in what is now Turkey (Asia Minor, Pontos, Constantinople/Istanbul, Smyrna/Izmir region). These ancestors often came to Greece as refugees around 1922. Researching them can be more complex – records might include baptismal certificates issued by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, or refugee listings in Greece. If you have Asia Minor Greek roots, look for special databases or books on those communities. Greek naming in Asia Minor often used “-idis/-ides” or “-oglou” (from Turkish “oğlu” meaning “son of”). There are organizations dedicated to various Asia Minor refugee descendants that might assist.
Why does this regional history matter? It affects where you’ll find records and in what language. For instance, an ancestor from 1880s Macedonia will not have a Greek civil birth certificate (since the area wasn’t under Greek law yet), so you’d focus on church baptism registers. A grandfather from 1930s Athens, however, will have a civil birth record at the municipality. Knowing the timeline of when regions joined modern Greece, and the influence of previous administrations, helps set your research strategy. It also explains some unique resources (like British-era records in the Ionian, or extensive Venetian notary archives in Crete and the Ionian). As you proceed, always keep your ancestor’s time and place in mind – it will guide you to the right repository.
Greek Naming Conventions and Language TipsGreek Naming Conventions and Language Tips
Greek names and language can initially seem “all Greek” to beginners – but don’t worry! Understanding a few key naming conventions and learning the Greek alphabet will greatly boost your confidence. Here are the basics:
Patronymic Surnames: Most Greek surnames are patronymic, meaning they originated from a father’s first name. For example, a man named Ioannis whose father was Nikolaos might have been historically called Ioannis Nikolopoulos (literally “John, son of Nicholas”). These patronymic suffixes often vary by region. A few common ones:
-opoulos – Very common in the Peloponnese (means “descendant of”).
-akis – Common in Crete (also “little one” or “son of”).
-idis or -ides – Common for families from Asia Minor and Pontus, also used in northern Greece.
-oglou – Indicates Asia Minor origins (from Turkish oğlu).
-os, -as, -is, -es (no suffix) – Many other regions (mainland Greeks often have shorter names ending in -os or -as without an obvious suffix).
Papa- prefix – If you see Papa- at the start of a surname (e.g., Papadimitriou), it means “priest”: an ancestor was a priest whose children took on the prefix.
These suffix clues can sometimes point to an ancestral home region. However, they are not exclusive (over generations people moved, and suffixes spread). Use them as hints, not absolute fact.
Male vs. Female Forms of Surnames: In Greek, last names often change form for women. This is important when searching records! Typically, a woman’s surname is a genitive (possessive) form of her father’s or husband’s surname. For example, if a man is Papadakis, his wife or daughter would be recorded as Papadaki (essentially “of Papadakis”). If a man is Papaioannis, a woman in that family might be Papaioannou. Common transformations:
Male ending
Female ending (example)
-os
-ou (e.g., Papas -> Papou)
-as
-a (e.g., Andreou -> Andrea)
-is
-i or -ou (e.g., Lerikos -> Lerikou)
-es
-e (e.g., Stavropoulos -> Stavropoule)
Keep this in mind when scanning Greek documents. If you find a record for “Maria Papadaki,” her father might be listed as “Papadakis.” It’s the same surname, just gender-adjusted.
Greek Given Names and Traditions: Greeks traditionally name children after their grandparents. The unwritten custom is: first son after the paternal grandfather, first daughter after the paternal grandmother, second son after the maternal grandfather, second daughter after the maternal grandmother. This leads to repeating name patterns in families – useful for us genealogists! If you see the same name appearing among cousins, it often means they were named for the same grandparent. Also, many Greeks went by diminutives or nicknames in daily life (for example, Yiannis for Ioannis, Kostas for Konstantinos). Be aware of these variants when searching records.
Greek alphabetThe Greek Alphabet: Greek records are, naturally, in the Greek language. You do not need to be fluent in Greek to do genealogy, but you should familiarize yourself with the Greek alphabet so you can recognize names and key terms. The alphabet has 24 letters (α, β, γ, δ, …). Spend time learning to transliterate your family names into Greek letters. For instance, “George Papadopoulos” in Greek is “Γεώργιος Παπαδόπουλος”. Practice writing your ancestors’ names in Greek – it will help you spot them in records. There are many charts available that show each Greek letter and its sound/value in English.
Key Genealogy Terms in Greek: Understanding a few common words found in records will go a long way. Here are some you’ll likely encounter, with transliteration:
Γέννηση / Γεννήσεως (Gennisi) – Birth.
Βάπτιση (Vaptisi) – Baptism (christening).
Γάμος (Gamos) – Marriage.
Θάνατος (Thanatos) – Death.
Πατέρας / Πατήρ (Pateras/Patir) – Father.
Μητέρα / Μήτηρ (Mitera/Mitir) – Mother.
Υιός (Yios) – Son (often used in older records to denote “son of”).
Κόρη / Θυγάτηρ (Kori/Thygater) – Daughter.
Όνομα (Onoma) – Name, Επώνυμο (Eponymo) – Surname.
Ηλικία (Ilikia) – Age.
Δήμος (Dimos) – Municipality, Νομός (Nomos) – Prefecture (county).
Ελλάδα (Ellada) – Greece.
Over time, you’ll start recognizing these terms in documents. Many beginners find that after working with a few records, the squiggles of Greek letters start to look like actual words!
Transliteration and Name Variations: When searching databases, try variations of spelling. For example, the surname Karagiannis might also appear as Karayiannis or Carayannis in English transliteration. The same Greek name can be spelled multiple ways in our alphabet. Use wildcard searches if possible (e.g., “Kargian”) or try the “Greek spelling” if the site allows (some genealogy sites support searching in Greek characters). For first names, remember that Achilles might be listed as Ahilleas, Nicholas as Nikolaos, etc.
Lastly, don’t be intimidated by the language. With a bit of practice, you’ll quickly learn to spot key names and dates. And if you get stuck, there are plenty of online forums and community helpers who can translate a word or decipher old handwriting for you. Greek records, especially older ones, might be in handwritten script, but if you know the alphabet and key terms, you can extract the information you need. Take it step by step – even Greek genealogists had to learn those same squiggly letters and archaic terms!
Major Record Types in Greek GenealogyMajor Record Types in Greek Genealogy
Researching in Greece involves piecing together information from a variety of record types. Here we introduce the most important records and how to use them. We’ll cover Orthodox church registers, civil vital records, municipal family lists, notarial records, census and voter lists, military records, and even school records. Understanding what each contains and where to find them will help you map out your research plan.
Greek Orthodox Church
Greek Orthodox Church Records (Baptisms, Marriages, Burials)Greek Orthodox Church Records (Baptisms, Marriages, Burials)
Before the Greek government instituted civil registration, local parish priests were the ones recording life events. For events prior to 1925, the Greek Orthodox Church was the primary keeper of vital records. These church books are therefore a cornerstone of Greek genealogy. They typically come in three types:
Baptismal Records (Ληξιαρχικά Βαπτίσεων): These record births/baptisms. An entry often includes the birth date and baptism date, the baby’s name, the father’s name, the mother’s name (usually including her maiden name), the godparent’s name, and the priest’s name. For example, a baptism entry might say that on 12 March 1890, Ioannis, son of Georgios Papadopoulos and Maria Demetriou, was born in X village, baptized 20 March 1890, godfather Nikolaos something, priest Father so-and-so. After about 1913, churches sometimes recorded additional info like the family’s residence or the godparent’s occupation.
Marriage Records (Γάμοι): A typical church marriage entry will list the date of marriage, the groom’s name and age, his father’s name (and sometimes mother’s), the bride’s name and age, her father’s name, the village or town of residence for each, plus the names of witnesses or the best man (koumbaros). Earlier church marriage entries (1800s) might be brief (just names and date), but later ones can be quite detailed. Additionally, because marriages had to be approved by the local bishop (Metropolis), marriage license indexes are kept at the Metropolis (diocese) level. These Metropolis marriage records include the couple’s information and confirm they weren’t closely related. In some cases (like Sparta’s Metropolis), these have been preserved and even digitized.
Death/Burial Records (Θάνατοι): Church death records typically give the date of death (or burial), name of the deceased, age, sometimes the names of the father or spouse of the deceased, and occasionally cause of death. For example, it might note that “On 5 May 1910, Panayiota Georgiou, age 70, widow of Ioannis, died in X village, buried at Y Church.” Early death entries can be sparse (just name and date). After 1913, some churches added columns for place of birth or even burial location.
Where to find church records: These records are usually kept in the local village or town church where the events occurred. In villages, the books might be physically in a cabinet in the church or the priest’s home. In cities, the metropolitan church or diocese office might store them. Access can be tricky – it often requires polite persistence and local connections. Priests are understandably protective of their registers because they contain personal info about community members (including the living). If you plan to visit, try to get an introduction from a local or bring a letter of permission. Sometimes, records have been transferred to the local General State Archives (GAK) branch, especially if a church closed or the books were collected for preservation. It varies by location.
Online access: Very few Greek church records are online or indexed. However, there are some notable efforts:
The Monemvasia and Sparta marriage records (1835–1935) have been digitized and indexed as part of a project by MyHeritage. These cover an entire region’s official marriage license books – a huge boon if you have ancestors from Laconia (Sparta region).
FamilySearch has microfilmed some church books (for example, certain islands or big cities), but these often must be viewed at a Family History Center and are not fully indexed.
Always check GreekAncestry.net and major genealogy sites for any new collections; Greek records are being digitized slowly. (MyHeritage, for instance, hosts some church record collections like the Sparta marriages and Corfu baptisms.)
If you can’t travel, consider writing a letter or email to the parish priest or Metropolis office. Write in Greek if possible (or have it translated) to increase your chances of a reply. State the exact event and names/date you seek. Some have had success this way, while others might not hear back – results vary. When you do get access to church records, it can be profoundly moving to see your ancestor’s name handwritten perhaps over a century ago. Church books are a direct link to your family’s milestones.
Civil Registrations and Municipal Records (Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates)Civil Registrations and Municipal Records (Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates)
Greece was relatively late in adopting government civil registration of vital events. Starting in 1925, a law required all births, marriages, and deaths to be officially registered with the state. From that point on, the local town hall (the Ληξιαρχείο, Lixiarcheion, or civil register office of each municipality) created certificates for these events. Here’s how to navigate civil records:
Post-1925 Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates: If your ancestor was born, married, or died in Greece after 1925, you can request a copy of the civil record from the municipality (Δήμος) where the event took place. These certificates are similar to what you’d expect in other countries – a birth certificate will have the baby’s name, date and place of birth, parents’ names, etc. A marriage certificate will list the couple’s names, ages, date/place of marriage, parents’ names, etc. These are official state documents and are often required for legal purposes (citizenship, property claims, etc.), so Greek municipalities are accustomed to issuing them upon request.
How to obtain them: You usually must either visit the town hall in person, or send a written request (some municipalities accept email requests). The request should be in Greek and include as much detail as possible (full name, exact date or at least year, parents’ names if known). There may be a small fee. Some municipalities respond quickly, especially if the request is for a direct ancestor and you explain it’s for family history. Keep in mind, these offices operate in Greek – so correspondence in Greek is highly recommended. The Greek government also has an online portal for recent certificates (for Greek citizens), but for genealogy purposes it’s often easier to deal directly with the local office.
Mitroon Arrenon (Μητρώον Αρρένων) – Male Register: This is a special type of civil register that predates 1925 and continues afterward, and it’s one of the gems of Greek genealogy. The Mitroon Arrenon is essentially a register of male citizens in each municipality – historically used for conscription and taxation. It was instituted soon after the Greek War of Independence (1820s) as the new government’s way to enumerate all males. Every village or town kept a list of all boys born there, usually entered at the time the boy reached age 0–1 or so (or when they were preparing for military service). The entries typically include the boy’s name, birth year (and sometimes exact date), place of birth, father’s name, and often the father’s occupation. Over time, these registers served in lieu of birth certificates for many Greek men.
Why is this so valuable? For one, it can provide a documented birth year for male ancestors born in the 19th century, even if no church baptism record survives. It also firmly places the family in a specific locale. For example, a Mitroon Arrenon entry might read: “Κωνσταντίνος Γεωργίου Παπαδόπουλος, born 1875 in [village], son of Georgios Papadopoulos (farmer).” It’s effectively an official birth registry for males.
Accessing Mitroon Arrenon: These registers are kept at municipal offices (town halls) and copies are often at the local GAK (General Archives) regional office. They are usually not online (with a few exceptions where volunteers have indexed some). However, MyHeritage recently added large collections of Greek Male Registers – for example, MyHeritage’s “Greece, Electoral Rolls and Male Registers, 1856–1950” which includes indexed names from many areas. This is a huge help – it means you might find an ancestor’s birth year and village by searching a database, rather than writing to a village. Check those online collections first. If your ancestor isn’t in them, then consider contacting the municipality or archives. The Spartan Roots blog example noted that the Sparta GAK archive had many village male registers on file and staff who could search them. When contacting an archive for a lookup, provide the man’s name, approximate birth year, and village.
Dimotologion (Δημοτολόγιον) – Town or Family Register: The Dimotologion is another municipal register, essentially a family register listing all members of a household. These were generally compiled in the mid-20th century (around the 1950s) but include people born in late 1800s and early 1900s. A Dimotologion page will list a family surname as a header, then the husband, wife, and children, with details like each person’s birth year and place, parents’ names (for the husband and wife), occupation, and sometimes notes on death or relocation. It’s somewhat akin to a census record or a family group sheet created by the local government. If you can locate your family in a Dimotologion, it’s incredibly useful – you get an entire family unit in one snapshot.
Accessing Dimotologia: These are held at municipal offices and local archives. Many have not been digitized. The researcher behind Spartan Roots painstakingly copied lists of available Dimotologia in Sparta’s archive. To use them, you typically need to know the exact village and the family surname as used in that village. If writing for information, you might ask, “Is there a Dimotologion for Village X and does it list a family by the name of Y?” Some archives might provide a household extract if asked nicely. Because they were created more recently (1950s), privacy can be an issue for living persons; but for genealogy (targeting older generations) it’s usually fine.
Civil Registers 1840s–1920s: Even before 1925, note that Greek municipalities did sometimes maintain local registers of certain events:
Some areas, right after independence (1830s–40s), attempted to record births and marriages at the town level. These early civil registers are hit-or-miss and often incomplete.
In the Ionian Islands (under British rule pre-1864), civil recording started earlier (e.g., Corfu has birth registers from 1840s).
In late 19th to early 20th century, larger towns might have kept “Marriage Registers” or “Death Registers” at the mayor’s office in addition to church books. These often mirrored what the church recorded.
When you contact archives, ask if any “Ληξιαρχικά βιβλία” (civil vital books) exist for your village prior to 1925. Sometimes you’ll get lucky with a small set of early records.
In summary, civil records become crucial especially for the 20th century. If you’re researching a more recent ancestor (say died in 1960s in Greece, or born in 1930s), you’ll be dealing mostly with municipal offices. For older ancestors, the Mitroon Arrenon and any early registers can fill gaps when church records are spotty. Always use both church and civil sources together – they complement each other. For example, you might find a birth in a male register and then seek the baptism in the church book, or vice versa, to get the full picture.
Notarial Records (Wills, Dowry Contracts, Land Deeds)Notarial Records (Wills, Dowry Contracts, Land Deeds)
One of the richest (yet often untapped) sources in Greek genealogy are notarial records. In Greece, virtually all legal transactions have historically been handled by notaries (συμβολαιογράφοι) – a system inherited from Byzantine and Venetian times. These records can include:
Dowry contracts (Προικοσύμφωνα, proika) – agreements made at a marriage about the property or money the bride brings. They often list the bride’s family members and what each contributes.
Wills (Διαθήκες, diathikes) – detailing property to be distributed among heirs, explicitly naming children, siblings, etc.
Land sales and transfers – which can establish who was in a village at a certain time, and relationships if property passed within a family.
Business contracts, loans, powers of attorney, and more.
Why are these so valuable? They link generations and contain personal details you won’t find elsewhere. A dowry contract might name the bride’s father and mother and even grandparents, or a will might list all children (including married daughters by their married names). Some notarial documents include multiple generations in one text – for example, a grandfather partitioning land to grandkids, referencing that the parents are deceased, etc. They also can push your research back before the start of church records. In some parts of Greece, notarial archives survive from as early as the 1600s (e.g., in parts of Crete, the Ionian islands, etc., from Venetian times). In the new Greek state, notaries kept volumes of contracts throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Accessing notarial records: This is perhaps the most challenging area for a beginner, but not impossible. Notarial records are typically held in the General State Archives (GAK) for each region. For example, if your ancestors were in a village in Messenia, the notary books for that area might be in the GAK archive in Kalamata or Athens. You will likely need to either visit the archive in person or hire a researcher. The documents are in old handwritten Greek (sometimes with legal phrasing), so decoding them can be difficult but very rewarding. Some archives have begun digitizing or indexing notary files, but progress is slow.
A beginner-friendly way to dip into notarial records is to look for published translations or abstracts. For instance, Greek genealogy blogs or sites occasionally share translated examples of interesting documents (like a fascinating dowry contract from 1864 Sparta that was showcased, revealing names and social context). Check if any local historical societies in your ancestral region have published books containing transcriptions of old wills or contracts. University projects have also digitized some collections.
Remember, notarial records are bonus material – you don’t need them to build your family tree, but they can enrich it immensely. As your comfort with research grows, keep them on your radar. They might break down a brick wall or reveal the story behind an ancestral home or how an heirloom property passed down the family. Because these records date back so far (in some cases to the 1400s under Venetian rule!), they can be a gateway to much earlier generations that church or civil records don’t cover.
Census and Voter ListsCensus and Voter Lists
If you’re coming from research in other countries, you might expect national census records to be a staple. In Greece, national censuses were indeed conducted (the first modern census was 1828, then 1861, 1870, 1879, 1889, 1896, 1907, 1920, etc.). However, most Greek census records contain only statistical data, not names of every individual. They were used to count population and demographics, not to register each person’s name in publicly accessible forms. Thus, unlike the rich individual data of (say) a U.S. census, Greek census publications might just tell you that a village had 100 men and 120 women in 1879, etc. As genealogists, we need other nominal lists to fill this gap. Fortunately, there are census substitutes that are very useful:
Voter Lists (Εκλογικοί κατάλογοι): Voting registers list eligible voters (historically, adult males over 21) in each area. They were compiled for elections and often published by the government. A voter list entry will include the man’s name, father’s name (as an identifier), age (or year of birth), and village of residence. For example, a 1875 voter list might show “Papadopoulos, Georgios son of Dimitrios, age 45, village X.” These are incredibly handy for placing a male ancestor in a specific location and getting an approximate birth year. Voter lists exist from the mid-19th century onward (after Greece became a constitutional monarchy). Many have been indexed: GreekAncestry.net has a huge collection of voter lists covering 1840s–1930s, and MyHeritage’s collection mentioned earlier includes electoral rolls too. If your ancestor was alive during that period, there’s a good chance you can find him in a voter list. Keep in mind variations: sometimes they are organized by prefecture, sometimes by municipality.
1860s “Male Census” / Farmer Census of 1856: In the 1850s, Greece conducted a special census focusing on agricultural households (often referred to as the Farmer Census of 1856). This listed heads of families in rural areas (it was basically a land tax assessment). Not every region did this, but where it exists, it’s a snapshot of household heads in mid-19th century. GreekAncestry has many of these by county. Similarly, in 1879 the government did a name census of males (to update voter rolls), which in some contexts is referred to as a census. These are worth searching for early ancestors.
Local or “Parish” Census of 1828: In a few areas liberated during the War of Independence (like parts of the Peloponnese and Athens areas), the provisional government took name censuses around 1828. These are rare but if you’re lucky to have ancestry in those locales, you might find a head-of-household listed. They are often published in historical archives or books.
Twentieth-century Census data: Starting with the 1951 census, family names were recorded, but those are closed to the public for privacy. The 1928 and 1940 censuses did enumerate individuals by name, but accessing those records is not straightforward for researchers. They are stored in the Greek Statistical Authority. Generally, Greek genealogy relies more on the other records we discuss, rather than national census returns.
In practice, voter lists will likely be your go-to “census substitute.” They can help locate male ancestors in between other records. For example, if you find great-grandfather in an 1872 voter list in his village, and again in 1875, but by 1880 he’s gone, it could indicate he died or moved between 1875–1880, guiding you to look for a death or migration in that window. Voter lists also sometimes indicate profession or property classes, giving a tiny insight into social status.
Keep an eye out for published village histories too. Some villages have printed all the families who lived there based on voter lists or school lists. These can serve as a pseudo-census, enumerating families around 1900 or so.
Military Service RecordsMilitary Service Records
Military obligations have touched nearly every Greek family (all Greek men historically had to serve). For genealogy, military records can provide documentation of birth, physical descriptions, and service details, though accessing them can require effort. Here are some avenues:
Draft Registration and Conscription Lists: Since the late 19th century, Greece maintained conscription lists to call up men for service. These often overlap with the Male Registers (Mitroon Arrenon) discussed earlier – in fact, those male registers were born out of early military catalogs. An older “military catalog” of the 1840s–1870s might have been later formalized into the Mitroon Arrenon record. So checking the male registers is essentially step one for draft-age men.
Service Records (Φάκελοι στρατιωτών): If an ancestor served in the Greek army, especially in major wars (Balkan Wars 1912–13, World War I, the Asia Minor campaign 1919–22, World War II, etc.), there may be a service file or at least a record of their unit. The Hellenic Army Archives (and Navy/Air Force) hold personnel files. These are not online; one must request them via the Greek military. Privacy laws mean you usually can only request records for deceased individuals and often need to be next-of-kin. However, if you have, say, a grandfather who fought in WWII or a great-grandfather in 1912, you can try writing to the Army History Directorate with their details. The response might include enlistment info, ranks, awards, etc. Keep expectations modest as these requests can take a long time or may not yield much unless the person had a notable career.
Casualty and War Memorial Lists: For those who died in military service, their names are often inscribed on village war memorials (common in Greece), and published lists of war dead exist for the Balkan Wars and World Wars. If an ancestor went missing or died in war, local archives or newspapers might list them as a fallen hero.
Old Militäriká (Military Lists): Some 19th century archives include lists of men eligible for service or those who actually served in specific campaigns (like lists of fighters in the 1821 Revolution, or in the 1897 war). These can sometimes be found in historical archives or books of lists.
Obtaining Certificates of Military Status: Interestingly, descendants sometimes need a “Certificate of Military Service” for things like property inheritance. If you have a relative who dealt with that, they might have such a certificate that shows when/where an ancestor served or that they fulfilled service. It’s worth asking in the family if any old paperwork like that exists.
For a beginner, pursuing military records is usually a later step, unless family lore tells of an ancestor’s heroic military past and you want to verify details. A practical tip: the Male Register in the 1900s sometimes has a column noting military service class or number. And as mentioned in the School Records section below, a school record might explicitly label a father as “στρατιώτης” (soldier) or note if he was away on military duty.
One more thing: If your ancestor emigrated at conscription age (late teens/20s) in the early 1900s, check if he might have been evading military service (quite common!). Greek newspapers in America sometimes published lists of “draft evaders” from certain regions. This is a niche case, but it happened. Conversely, if he returned to Greece to serve in the Balkan Wars and then went back abroad, he might show up in Greek military archives briefly.
Greek school
School RecordsSchool Records
School registers? For genealogy? Yes – in Greece, school records can be a surprisingly rich source, especially for the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Greece established public schooling in the 1800s, and many villages kept “Μαθητολόγιον” (Mathitologion) or school rosters of the students each year. These records have helped genealogists track families and ages of children.
What might you find in a school register?
The name of the student, and often father’s name.
The age or birth year of the student (some lists give exact age in years for that school year, others list year of birth).
The village of birth and village of residence of the child.
The father’s occupation (which is fascinating detail for family history).
Sometimes notes if a student withdrew or transferred.
For example, a 1908 school roster from a village in Laconia lists “Anastasios Lerikos, age 7, born in Alaimbey, residing in Alaimbey, father Dimitrios (occupation: worker)”. From this we verify the child’s birth year (~1901), the father’s name and job, and that the family lived in a certain hamlet (which might be crucial if that hamlet is recorded under a larger village’s records). If you follow the same child in subsequent grades, you can see if the family moved or if the father’s occupation changed – even clues like a father listed as “εργάτης” (worker) one year and then noted as “αποθανών” (deceased) or “ορφανός” (orphan – meaning the child’s father died) the next. In fact, researchers have used school books to narrow down a father’s death to within a school year – for instance, seeing a child’s father alive in the 1908 record but listed as deceased in 1909. Similarly, if a father is marked as “μετανάστης” (immigrant) it indicates he was overseas that year (commonly in America or Canada by the early 1900s). This can provide a timeframe of when he left Greece, which you can then match to passenger records.
School records also include girls, which is especially valuable because women are harder to trace in Greek records. Girls usually attended separate classes or schools, but often the registers put the girls in a section either within the same book or a separate book. You can identify a girl because her surname will use the female form (as discussed earlier). So, Vasiliki Papadopoulou might appear, listed as daughter of so-and-so. Tracing female lines in Greece is challenging, so school records and marriage dowries are some of the few sources where daughters show up by name in the era before modern records.
Accessing school records: These are typically found in the local General Archives (GAK) branch for the area, rather than at the school (especially since many old village schools have closed or tossed old books). In the Spartan Roots example, the researcher visited the Sparta GAK and was allowed to photograph pages from early 1900s primary school books. Not all archives may have them, but it’s worth asking. Some school records have been donated or discovered by local museums or libraries as well. They are not indexed or online as far as major projects go, but if you’re on-site in Greece, definitely inquire at the archives about “Βιβλία μαθητολογίου” (student registers) or “Βιβλία σχολείου” for your village.
As a beginner, you might not start with school records, but I mention them so you know they exist. Down the line, if you’ve gathered birth and family info from other sources, school registers can be a next layer to explore family movements, occupations, and confirming birth years. They literally show your ancestors as children, which adds a charming dimension to genealogical research.
Other Records and SourcesOther Records and Sources
Beyond the major categories above, be aware of a few other types of sources that can aid your Greek genealogy quest:
Newspapers: Greek newspapers (both in Greece and in diaspora communities) can have obituaries, wedding announcements, lists of missing persons after wars, etc. The major Greek-American paper The National Herald (Ethnikos Kirix) has archives going back to the early 1900s available online. In Greece, historic newspapers (in Greek) might mention notable local events or even publish government announcements like name changes or loss of citizenship of emigrants. If your family had any prominence or unusual story, newspapers could be worth searching (there are digitized Greek newspapers on the Greek National Library site and other archives).
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Archives: The Greek Orthodox Church of America, for instance, does not release sacramental records centrally – you have to go parish by parish. But sometimes archdiocesan publications had content like lists of members or donors that might list community members.
Cemetery and Death Memorials: In Greek villages, graves are often reused after some years due to limited space, so old gravestones may not survive. But some families have memorial plaques or churches have honor rolls of priests or donors. In diaspora, Greek cemeteries or sections (e.g., in the U.S., many Greeks were buried through Orthodox churches) can be sources of birthplaces (tombstones sometimes inscribe the home village). Also, Greeks traditionally publish memorial booklets on the 40-day or 1-year memorial of a death – these are like small cards or pamphlets that may have a photo and a bio. If you find one in your family, it’s a precious genealogical source.
Passport Applications and Emigration papers: If an ancestor left Greece, they might have obtained a passport or an exit permit. The Greek General State Archives in Athens have some collections of old passport registers and emigration records (for example, lists of people who got permission to go to America in 1910s). These are not widely digitized, but GreekAncestry and others have indexed some by region.
Village or Prefecture History Books: Local history enthusiasts in Greece often publish books with historical and genealogical info of a village. These might include transcribed lists of voters, lists of families, war heroes, etc. If you can find a book about your ancestral village or region, it could save you time by consolidating info from various records.
At this point, you might be thinking: “Wow, there’s a lot of different records!” Indeed, Greek genealogy involves assembling pieces from many places. Don’t feel overwhelmed – you don’t need every record type for every ancestor. Use what’s most readily available first, then gradually venture into other sources as needed. Many genealogists start with civil and church records and later, once they have the basics, explore notarial archives or school books to enrich the story. It’s like peeling an onion, layer by layer, each source adding more details about your family’s past.
Online Resources for Greek Genealogy ResearchOnline Resources for Greek Genealogy Research
The internet has revolutionized genealogy, and Greek research is slowly but surely catching up with more online data each year. Here are key online resources, databases, and communities that can aid your search:
GreekAncestry.net: An ever-growing digital platform dedicated to Greek genealogy. Founded by Greek genealogist Gregory Kontos, it hosts indexed collections from all over Greece (vital records, voter lists, male registers, town resident lists, etc.). You can search by name in specific regions. Many records are pay-per-record or by subscription, but there are also free databases and a helpful blog. The site also offers a Guidebook (Greek Genealogy Guide) and educational articles. If you hit a roadblock, their professional services or consultations could be an option. GreekAncestry is essentially the “one-stop shop” for Greek archives data being brought online in a structured way.
MyHeritage Greek Collections: MyHeritage, a major genealogy company, has invested in Greek records in recent years. Notably, they partnered to digitize records from Sparta’s archives (the marriage and male register collections) and also host the Corfu vital records (1841–1932). Their big combined collection “Greece, Electoral Rolls and Male Registers, 1856–1950” is a treasure trove of millions of names. Searching this could yield birth years and hometowns for ancestors. MyHeritage is a subscription site, but they often allow free searches and some free record views (and many public libraries have access). If you already have a MyHeritage subscription (common among those with European roots), definitely leverage it for Greek research.
HellenicGenealogyGeek.com: This is a long-running website and blog by a Greek-American genealogist. It curates thousands of links and resources relevant to Greek genealogy. You’ll find links to immigration databases, naturalization resources, Greek-American archives, and more on their site. The blog often posts updates on newly available records, and sometimes transcriptions of lists (like Greek members of certain societies, or military casualty lists, etc.). They also have a Facebook group by the same name, which is very active and helpful for researchers of Greek ancestry around the world.
General State Archives (GAK) – Digitized Collections: The Greek National Archives have a portal (often referred by its software name “Arxeion Mnimon”) where they have scanned various documents. It’s not the easiest to navigate without Greek, and much of it is not indexed by name. But if you are looking for certain historical documents (like say, a particular notary’s book or a certain year’s voter roll) and can navigate Greek, you might find digitized images. For example, the GAK site has some Old Phone Books, Government Gazettes, and other goodies digitized. This is more of an advanced resource – don’t worry about it too much at the start.
DNA and Genetic Genealogy: While not a record source per se, DNA testing (through companies like MyHeritage) can connect you with relatives who share Greek ancestry. If you’re open to it, having a DNA test can be a complementary tool – it might identify cousins still living in Greece or elsewhere who descend from your family and could have information or family lore. There are also region-specific DNA projects (for example, seeking to map DNA from Mani Peninsula families, etc.). If you match someone with a shared surname or village in their family tree, you’ve got a lead to work together. Keep in mind that if your Greek lineage is very far back or from a very endogamous (internally married) region, interpreting matches can be complex.
Online Forums and Social Media: In addition to the Hellenic Genealogy Geek group, there are Reddit communities like r/Genealogy and r/Greece that occasionally discuss Greek genealogy. The Greek Ancestry and History group on Facebook is another, and there are region-specific groups (for example, “Arcadia Greek Genealogy” group, etc.). Joining these can keep you updated and give you a place to ask for translations or advice.
Guides and Webinars: A number of passionate Greek genealogists have produced webinars and guidebooks. For instance, Legacy Family Tree Webinars has a recorded webinar An Introduction to Tracing your Greek Ancestry by Gregory Kontos). GreekAncestry has hosted conferences: the January 2021 Greek Genealogy Conference videos are on YouTube. Watching these can boost your understanding significantly.
Whenever you use online resources, remember to record the source of any information you find (so you can cite it or find it again). Also, use multiple sources to cross-verify, especially if looking at user-contributed data. The Greek genealogy community online is still smaller than, say, the Irish or Italian one, but it’s tight-knit and enthusiastic – people are usually very willing to help newcomers. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Planning an On-the-Ground Research Trip to GreecePlanning an On-the-Ground Research Trip to Greece
If you have the opportunity to visit Greece for genealogical research, it can be incredibly fruitful. Nothing compares to walking the streets of your ancestral village or handling original records in an archive. However, careful planning will make your trip far more successful:
Schedule Archive Visits in Advance: Identify which General State Archives (GAK) branches or other archives you need to visit. Most Greek prefectures (counties) have a GAK office in the capital city. For example, if your family is from Chania, Crete, you’d go to GAK Chania; if from Sparta, GAK Laconia (Sparti). Archives have limited staff and hours (often weekday mornings). It’s wise to email ahead (many have an email – often listed on the GAK website) to inquire if they have the records you seek and if you need an appointment. Some archives might pull records in advance for you if you specify what you want to see. Mention you are coming from abroad for family history – staff might then be extra helpful (Greeks are very hospitable, especially if you show respect and genuine interest).
Municipal Offices (Dimarheia): If you need recent records or the Male Register and cannot get it from the archive, a stop at the town hall of your ancestral town could be in order. Be prepared that local offices may not speak much English. Bringing someone bilingual is a huge asset. Show up with your request written in Greek, if possible. There might be some bureaucracy (“come back tomorrow” or “talk to X person”). Be patient, friendly, and respectfully persistent.
Local Churches: To see church books, you often need to talk directly to the priest of the village or parish. This can be the trickiest part, as cold-calling a priest might lead nowhere (they might say records don’t exist even if they do, out of caution). Here, leveraging local connections is key. If you have any contact in the village (distant relatives, the mayor, even a taxi driver or café owner who is willing to help), have them introduce you to the priest. A small gesture of respect – like bringing a gift (perhaps a nice icon or something from abroad) – can help break the ice. Explain you’re seeking your progonoi (ancestors) and that you’d be grateful for any help finding baptisms or marriages. Some priests will gladly open up the books and even help you interpret them; others may refuse. If refused, politely accept it – you could then ask if the records might be at the Metropolis office instead, or try another approach later. Don’t give up after one “no” – sometimes visiting on a different day or with a different person can yield a “yes.” As one genealogist put it: Local people are the key to obtaining access to village church records!.
Language and Helpers: If you don’t speak Greek, consider hiring a local translator or guide for a day in the archives. Some professional genealogists in Greece offer their services for a fee – but if that’s out of budget, even a college student or a friend-of-a-friend who is bilingual could accompany you. Having someone to communicate with officials on your behalf smooths the process. Carry a notebook and note down terms you learn or archive reference numbers of files to request.
Plan for Multiple Days: Things in Greece often take longer than expected. A clerk might ask you to return in a couple of days for a document. The archive might be closed on a day you thought it was open (holiday you didn’t know about, etc.). Plan some buffer time. If your ancestral village is remote, allocate time to actually go there, but also time in the nearest city for archives. Many people try to do too much in one trip – focus on one or two regions per trip if possible.
Visiting the Village: When you get to your family’s village, talk to people! In many Greek villages, everyone knows the local surnames and family histories. You may find second or third cousins still there. Visit the kafenio (coffee shop) or the plateia (village square) and mention your surname and that you’re descended from so-and-so who left long ago. You might be directed to an old uncle or yiayia who remembers the family. It can be an emotional and fulfilling experience. Also, check the local cemetery for any familiar names – even if graves are newer, you might spot family names that indicate kin.
Document Everything: Take photographs of archive documents (ask permission first – most archives allow non-flash photography). If you get records from a town hall, make copies. Bring a portable scanner or use a scanning app on your phone. Jot down source details (archive name, record book number, page, etc.). This will help you later when you’re organizing your findings.
Traveling for genealogy combines detective work with cultural immersion. By walking where your ancestors walked, you gain insight that no online search can provide. Do remember that smaller archives or offices might close for summer vacation (often August) or have irregular hours – double-check timing. And always have a Plan B for days off: if you can’t research, use the time to enjoy the local culture, visit museums, or church services – you might stumble on historical exhibits or commemorations relevant to your family’s past.
Overcoming Language BarriersOvercoming Language Barriers
A big concern for many is the language barrier. How can you work with Greek records if you aren’t fluent in Greek? Here are some encouraging tips to manage the language issue:
Learn the Greek Alphabet: As emphasized before, learning the alphabet is step one. It unlocks the door – once you can sound out names, you realize “Αθανασία” is Athanasia, or “Ιωάννης” is Ioannis, and those suddenly become familiar. Many find it helpful to carry an alphabet cheat sheet, with each Greek letter and an English equivalent sound.
Use Translation Aids: Leverage tools like Google Translate for short phrases (you can type in Greek text or even use your phone’s camera to live-translate text in front of you). Tip: using artificial intelligence (AI) to transcribe and translate Greek records, especially handwritten records, does not produce fully accurate results. However the process is improving.
Key Names and Keywords First: When you look at a record, focus on extracting names, dates, and places – these are usually written in a consistent way you can learn. For example, if you know the structure of a baptism entry, you can skim for capital letters (names) and numbers (dates). You don’t have to translate every word. Usually, knowing “υιός” means son and “θυγάτηρ” means daughter, or recognizing “και” (and) is enough to parse an entry.
Practice with Examples: Before diving into your own family records, practice reading some examples of Greek records with translations. The Spartan Roots blog posts often show an image of a record and then transcribe and translate it. Spend time with those to train your eye.
Community Help: The Greek genealogy community is very helpful with translation. If you find a record and can’t decipher parts of it, you can post it (in a forum or group) and often someone will help read it. Just be sure to not violate any archive copyright rules if posting images. Transcribing the text yourself and asking for help with specific words is a good approach too – it helps you learn and others can assist on the tough bits.
Modern Greek vs. Katharevousa: One complication: older records (pre-1970s) might be in a more archaic form of Greek (called Katharevousa, a formal purist language) as opposed to modern Demotic Greek. This mostly affects some terminology and the spelling of certain words. For instance, “of the father” might be written as “του πατρός” in Katharevousa rather than modern “του πατέρα”. It’s a small difference but if you use a modern dictionary, you might not find “πατήρ” (ancient form for father). The genealogical word lists typically include these older forms. Over time, you’ll pick up the common ones.
Hiring Translation: If you have a bunch of documents and you really want them fully translated, you can hire a translator (there are professionals who specialize in old Greek). But for the purpose of building your family tree, a full translation is often not necessary; extracting the key facts is enough. That said, if a notary will or contract seems juicy, getting it translated might be worth the investment for the story it contains.
Keep Notes of Greek Terms: As you learn a new word or phrase, jot it in a notebook or digital note. For example, note that “νομίμως” means legitimately (as in legitimate child), or that “χήρα” means widow. Building your personal mini-glossary will accelerate your future research.
Above all, don’t let the Greek language scare you away. Many researchers who started with zero Greek have successfully traced their family lines by focusing on recognizable patterns and using the community for support. Greek is a phonetic language (words sound like how they’re written for the most part), so once you can pronounce what you see, you often realize you do know the name or word (like “Dimopoulos” or “Thanasis”). Each record you work with will improve your skills. It’s like solving a puzzle – a bit challenging but completely doable and actually fun once you get the hang of it.
Connecting with Living Relatives and Heritage OrganizationsConnecting with Living Relatives and Heritage Organizations
Genealogy isn’t just about documents and the past – it’s also about living connections. As you trace your Greek roots, you may discover distant cousins or other family branches, and there are many organizations that can enrich your journey:
Connect with Greek Relatives: If you know of any cousins or family still living in Greece (even if distantly related), consider reaching out. A polite letter or Facebook message in English (with a bit of Greek courtesy like “Γεια σας” – hello) can work; many Greeks, especially younger generations, know some English. Share what you know about the relationship (“My grandfather Nikolaos was the brother of your grandmother Maria, and he moved to America in 1920,” etc.) and express a warm desire to share family history. You might be rewarded with new stories, photographs of common ancestors, or even an invitation to visit! On the flip side, you might unexpectedly hear from someone who found you via your research or DNA test. Embrace those connections – it’s heartwarming to piece together family branches that lost touch over time.
Greek Ancestry and Cultural Organizations: In the diaspora, there are numerous associations based on region of origin. For example, in the U.S. you’ll find societies like the Pan-Cretan Association, Pan-Macedonian Association, AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), and local Greek organizations. These groups often have events, reunions, or even scholarship contests where writing about your heritage is encouraged. They are great for networking – someone in that circle might have already researched families from your ancestor’s village or have access to Greek records. The National Hellenic Museum in Chicago or the Hellenic Heritage museums in certain cities can also be resources.
Genealogical Societies and Conferences: Keep an eye out for events like Greek genealogy conferences (sometimes held virtually or in Greek-American hubs). The Hellenic Historical and Genealogical Association (HHGA) has organized workshops in the past. The Greek Ancestry site also holds webinars. Engaging with these can give you new ideas and energy, and you might make friends who swap research tips.
Visiting Relatives’ Villages: If you travel to Greece, meeting any distant family there can be a highlight. Greeks are famously welcoming – they may insist on treating you to a big meal and showing you around. Come prepared with old family photos or pedigree charts to explain the relationships despite language gaps. It can be fun to create a simple family tree poster with both Greek and English names to share with them, so everyone can visualize the connections. If you don’t have known relatives there, you might still meet villagers with your surname who could be related. Many villages also have summer festivals (πανηγύρια) honoring their patron saint – attending one can connect you with many people at once as they gather from near and far.
Honor Your Heritage: As you accumulate information, consider ways to share and preserve it. Maybe start a small family newsletter or a Facebook group for your extended family. Or record an oral history interview with your oldest Greek relative so that their memories are saved for future generations. There are also Greek heritage cooking groups, dance groups, etc., which, while not directly genealogy, deepen your cultural understanding – and you might meet someone who shares a surname or region with you.
Give Back to the Community: Once you’ve made some headway, you might volunteer to help index records or translate for others. It’s a virtuous cycle – the more people contribute to making Greek genealogical sources accessible, the easier it becomes for everyone. Even contributing your family tree (with sources) to WikiTree or FamilySearch’s communal tree could help a distant cousin find you.
In Greek, there’s a word “φιλότιμο” (filótimo), which roughly means a sense of honor and altruism – Greeks take pride in helping others, especially when it comes to something as meaningful as family and heritage. You’ll find that many people, from archivists to villagers to online friends, will go the extra mile to assist you, not for any gain but for the love of heritage. In time, you may do the same for someone else. Through genealogy, you’re not only building a family tree, but also joining a global family of Greek root-seekers.
ConclusionConclusion
Researching Greek genealogy can be challenging – records are not always easily accessible and language can be a hurdle – but it is immensely rewarding. You will uncover the names and lives of those whose existence led to yours, often against the dramatic backdrop of Greece’s history. Each discovery, whether it’s finding your great-grandmother’s baptism in a tiny village church book, or a 100-year-old photograph a newfound cousin sends you, is a cause for celebration.
Remember that genealogy is a journey. Take it one step at a time, use the resources and strategies outlined in this guide, and don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice along the way. The fact that you’re delving into Greek records means you are preserving your family’s story and the broader story of the Greek diaspora experience. As you fill in the branches of your family tree, you’ll gain a deeper connection not just to names and dates, but to the traditions, struggles, and triumphs that your ancestors handed down through generations.
