Greek genealogy research encompasses a range of tools and methodologies utilized to trace an individual's Greek ancestry. While interest in Greek genealogy has long existed, many families relied on their own family historians, facing challenges due to limited access to archival sources and a lack of specialized tools and methods. Consequently, research in this field was often arduous, relying heavily on potentially unreliable oral history. Although memories can be powerful, they fade with each passing second. However, as more and more Greeks, particularly those in the diaspora, developed a keen interest in uncovering their Greek family history and ancestry, the need for reliable sources, tools, and methods became evident.
In April 2015, the First National Hellenic American Genealogy Conference was held in New York City. Bringing together pioneers of the field, the conference received extensive attention from Greek American media and proved the dynamics of Greek genealogy research. In September of the same year, a second conference took place in Salt Lake City, with a more specific focus on archival and historical research in Greece. After those two events, developments were rapid, as it became clear that Greek genealogy can become available to everyone.
The foundation of Greek Ancestry in 2020 and the release of historical Greek records in Greek and English by both Greek Ancestry and MyHeritage marked a major shift in the availability of Greek records online.
Types of records available in Greek genealogy
Millions of old Greek genealogical records are now available online on Greek Ancestry and MyHeritage, making research easier for anyone interested across the globe. These records cover almost the entire country of Greece and generally span from the early 1800s through the mid of the twentieth century, although there are fortunate exceptions of records dating even earlier. Depending on the area where one’s family came from and the time period of interest, one can find a great variety of records. The most popular types of records in Greek genealogy are voter lists (the oldest dated back to 1844), vital records (births, marriages, deaths), male registers, refugee registers (covering Asia Minor and Pontos), business directories (covering the first half of the twentieth century) and notarial records (some of which date back to the 1600s).
Each kind of Greek genealogy record has a unique story to tell, therefore you want to collect as many as possible and use their information in a complementary way.
Education and other resources about Greek genealogy
Apart from the vast number of various types of Greek genealogy records that have been made available online in the past few years, there is also a great number of resources that you can use to not only facilitate your research, but also learn more about Greek history. In 2021, Greek Ancestry released the Greek Genealogy Guidebook, an educational platform aimed at providing specialized information about Greek genealogy and family history. There, it is possible to find incredible content about all different kinds of Greek genealogy records, information regarding Greek archival repositories, a specialized genealogy dictionary, articles about Greek history, the formation of Greek names and Greek naming traditions, information and maps about the different regions of Greece, etc. The two International Greek Ancestry Conferences held in 2021 and 2022 are another valuable source of information, as Greek genealogy and history experts from all over the world participated and shared their knowledge and experience.
At the same time, you can visit the Hellenic Genealogy Geek website, where you can access endless resources free of charge. The Hellenic Genealogy Geek website hosts a vast collection of articles and hyperlinks about all things Greek ancestry, including information on Greece and its diaspora, oral history, Greek names, genealogy tips, maps etc. A database of approximately 40,000 Greek names extracted from books is also available.
The Greek genealogy community
In your Greek genealogy and family history journey you will need companions. The Hellenic Genealogy Geek Facebook group, numbering over 42,000 members, is an excellent platform for sharing information, asking questions, requesting assistance, and finding useful contacts and resources.
Additionally, through the Village History Project Initiative sponsored by Greek Ancestry, you can find inspiration and support not only for your personal family research but also for the exploration of your entire village or area of origin. A village history project goes beyond individual surnames and encompasses all the identifiable individuals who resided in a particular village over an extended period. By participating in this initiative, VHPI members truly become historians of their own villages. Through connections with others, they contribute to the collective knowledge of their community, enriching both their own understanding and that of the wider community.
Recommendations before working on Greek genealogy
Before delving into Greek records, it is important to exhaust all other potential sources, such as documents from the country your family emigrated to (if applicable) or oral family history. It is advisable to have a clear understanding of your family's original Greek surname and their exact place of origin before venturing into the realm of Greek records. When it comes to the spelling of Greek surnames, it's wise to keep an open mind but do not overdo it. Greek surnames were somewhat flexible, even until the early twentieth century, so expect to encounter double surnames or slight variations in spelling. However, it's crucial not to assume that all families sharing the same surname are necessarily related. These tips aim to assist you in avoiding common errors and should not discourage you. Rest assured, assistance is available for anyone interested in Greek genealogy.
Explore more about Greek genealogy
- Greece records collection at MyHeritage
- Ask The Expert – New Greek Records on MyHeritage on the MyHeritage Knowledge Base
- MyHeritage Adds Three Historical Record Collections From Greece on the MyHeritage blog
- Genealogy on the MyHeritage blog
- Greek-Born Adoptee’s 12-Year Odyssey Ends in Joyful Reunion with Biological Family on the MyHeritage blog
- Greece’s Top 5 Types of Genealogy Records at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- An Introduction to Tracing your Greek Ancestry at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Greek and South Italian ethnicity
- Greek surnames
- Greek Ancestry
- Greek Genealogy Guidebook by Greek Ancestry
- Specialized webinars by Greek Ancestry
- Hellenic Genealogy Geek website