Greek History Community

Need Genealogy help

1 - 3 of 3 Posts
S

Sarah Gouzoules

New member
Trying to trace my Greek genealogy. My great grandfather first came to the US in the 1890s and settled in Lynn MA. I have found it challenging to find greek records because of name changes when they came to the US. My great grandfather, Elias Gouzoules was from Georgitsi Greece. I believe he was born in the 1870s and died in Lynn MA in 1944. I know his father was a Priest in the village. I think his name was Panayotis Gouzoules (my grandfather was named Panayotis Winston Elias born 1901-1982) I believe my great grandfather had 13 siblings. I would love to be able to get names of his mother, siblings etc and if there are any relatives still living in Greece, birth and death dates etc. I have also heard that Panayotis Gouzoules' dad fought in the rebellion. I'd appreciate any suggestions you may have! Thank you! Sarah
 
  • Like
Reactions: Worldwide Greeks Editor, seleanor and blopez34
Sarah Gouzoules said:
Trying to trace my Greek genealogy. My great grandfather first came to the US in the 1890s and settled in Lynn MA. I have found it challenging to find greek records because of name changes when they came to the US. My great grandfather, Elias Gouzoules was from Georgitsi Greece. I believe he was born in the 1870s and died in Lynn MA in 1944. I know his father was a Priest in the village. I think his name was Panayotis Gouzoules (my grandfather was named Panayotis Winston Elias born 1901-1982) I believe my great grandfather had 13 siblings. I would love to be able to get names of his mother, siblings etc and if there are any relatives still living in Greece, birth and death dates etc. I have also heard that Panayotis Gouzoules' dad fought in the rebellion. I'd appreciate any suggestions you may have! Thank you! Sarah
Click to expand...
Do you know how he came to the United States? Perhaps you can look through the Ellis Island records. Ancestry.com is also pretty helpful but you need to pay for their premium account.
 
Sarah Gouzoules said:
Trying to trace my Greek genealogy. My great grandfather first came to the US in the 1890s and settled in Lynn MA. I have found it challenging to find greek records because of name changes when they came to the US. My great grandfather, Elias Gouzoules was from Georgitsi Greece. I believe he was born in the 1870s and died in Lynn MA in 1944. I know his father was a Priest in the village. I think his name was Panayotis Gouzoules (my grandfather was named Panayotis Winston Elias born 1901-1982) I believe my great grandfather had 13 siblings. I would love to be able to get names of his mother, siblings etc and if there are any relatives still living in Greece, birth and death dates etc. I have also heard that Panayotis Gouzoules' dad fought in the rebellion. I'd appreciate any suggestions you may have! Thank you! Sarah
Click to expand...
Perhaps you can find church member records. There is a big Greek community in Massachusetts and perhaps he was a member of an association or church that would have info.
 
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

How Democratic Was Athenian Democracy?

I’ve been studying the democracy of Athens lately, and I find it fascinating that such an influential system didn’t actually last very long in its original form. It’s often described as the birthplace of democracy, and yet when you look closely, it seems both groundbreaking and limited at the same time.

On the one hand, the idea of citizens participating directly in decision-making was radical. On the other hand, citizenship excluded women, enslaved people, and foreigners, which dramatically narrowed who had a voice. It makes me wonder how “democratic” it really was by its own standards, let alone ours.

I’m also curious how stable it truly felt at the time, given the political upheavals and eventual decline.

For those who’ve studied this period more deeply, how do you interpret Athenian democracy? Do you see it as a bold experiment that laid the groundwork for modern systems, or as something far more fragile and constrained?

Information about the Battle of Marathon

I'm planning a trip to Greece later this year, and one of the places I'm really hoping to visit is the site of the Battle of Marathon. I've read the basic history and know it was one of the most important battles of the Persian Wars, but I'd love to learn more before I actually stand where it happened.

For those of you who have visited Marathon or have studied this period of Greek history, what details or stories do you think are especially worth knowing? Are there any books, documentaries, or articles you'd recommend beforehand? Is there anything at the site that many visitors overlook or don't fully appreciate without some background?

I'd really like to understand not just the battle itself, but why it became such a defining moment in Greek history. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Most forgotten period of Greek history?

I was in Crete once eating at a restaurant and there was a pile of artifacts heaped - broken pottery shards, etc. The restaurant told us that they were going to throw them out. I said, but they are artifacts, why?! They said that no one cares about that time period the artifacts came from - something about an Arabic occupation.

I thought it was interesting and it stayed with me nearly two decades later. This is clearly a forgotten period of Greek history. Does this happen a lot in Greece? Got me thinking about Greek history and what else may be forgotten... Would love your thoughts.

Which period of Greek history interests you the most?

Which period of Greek history interests you the most? There are so many fascinating eras that it can be difficult to choose just one.

Ancient Greece usually gets the most attention, especially Classical Athens, Sparta, the Persian Wars, and Alexander the Great. But I also find the Byzantine period fascinating because of its enormous influence on Greek religion, culture, art, and identity. Then there are the centuries of Ottoman rule, the Greek War of Independence, the Asia Minor Catastrophe, and Greece’s experiences during the World Wars and Civil War.

I’m curious which period everyone here finds themselves reading about most often. Is there a particular era, historical figure, battle, city, or event that drew you into Greek history?

I’d also love to hear about periods you think deserve more attention. Which part of Greek history would you recommend someone explore if they wanted to go beyond the usual ancient Greece topics?

Why does the Battle of Thermopylae still capture so much attention?

The Battle of Thermopylae is one of those moments in Greek history that still seems to capture people's attention thousands of years later. The story of Leonidas and the small Greek force standing against the much larger Persian army has become a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and resistance against overwhelming odds.

Of course, the real history is more complicated than the legend, and Thermopylae was only one part of the larger Greco-Persian Wars. Still, there is something powerful about the idea of people choosing to hold their ground even when they know the outcome may not be in their favor.

I also think modern books, movies, and popular culture have helped keep the story alive, sometimes blending history with mythology. Why do you think the Battle of Thermopylae still fascinates people so much? Is it the history itself, the symbolism, or the legend that grew around it?
Share and discuss Greek history!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top