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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
 
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
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.
 
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
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.
 

History of the Greek flag?

I never really stopped to think about the history of the Greek flag and I want to share that knowledge with my kids. I need to figure out what it is first. I have this feeling the history is rich because I've seen different, older versions of the flag.

Could anyone shed some light on the following aspects:
  • Origins: When was the Greek flag officially adopted, and were there any significant events that led to its creation?
  • Symbolism: What do the colors and the cross represent? Are there any historical or cultural significance behind these elements?
  • Evolution: Has the flag undergone any changes throughout the years? If so, what prompted these changes?
  • Legends/Myths: Are there any interesting legends or anecdotes surrounding the inception or adoption of the flag?
Thanks!

Interesting Greek History Topics I Like

The Persian Wars: The wars fought between Greece and the Persian empire in the 5th century BC were some of the most consequential conflicts of ancient times. Learn about the key events, such as the Battle of Marathon and the Battle of Thermopylae, and the strategies that allowed the Greeks to repel the Persian invaders.

The Rise of Athens: Arguably the most influential city-state in ancient Greece, Athens was the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the arts. Follow the rise of Athens from a humble village to a powerhouse of trade and culture.

The Peloponnesian War: The decades-long conflict between Athens and Sparta was a turning point in Greek history, leading to the decline of Athens and the rise of Macedon under Philip II and his son Alexander.

The Life of Alexander the Great: The young conqueror who led his armies across the known world, Alexander the Great is one of the most famous and admired figures of ancient history. Learn about his upbringing, his conquests, and his legacy.

The Olympic Games: A tradition that continues to this day, the ancient Olympics were a celebration of sports, culture, and political power. Explore the origins of the games and the events that took place.

Learning about the Olympic Games

It's an Olympics year so I thought I would chat a bit about the Olympic Games!

The original Olympic Games, held in Olympia, Greece, were primarily a festival celebrating Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. These games began around 776 BC and featured a range of athletic competitions, from foot races to combat sports like wrestling and boxing. Interestingly, the games were so significant that wars were put on hold, and conflicts paused to allow athletes and spectators to travel safely to Olympia. This ancient tradition of the Olympic Truce or "Ekecheiria" is a testament to the power of sport in fostering peace and unity, a principle that remains at the heart of the Olympics today.

I find it absolutely intriguing how these ancient games laid the groundwork for the modern Olympics, introducing concepts of sportsmanship, excellence, and the idea of bringing people together through the universal language of sport.

Has anyone visited ancient Olympia? Do you guys enjoy watching the Olympic Games?

Studying the Trojan War - Was it Real?

Did the Trojan War really happen? I am doing a bit of research and wanted to know what you guys thought:

The war is believed to have happened around 1200 BCE, and while there is no concrete evidence to support its occurrence, it is widely accepted as factual.

What is confusing me is how prevalent it is in Greek Mythology. In addition to the gods' involvement in the conflict, various stories and legends were added over time to give the tale more depth and drama. For example, the character of Achilles was said to be invulnerable except for his heel, which led to the phrase "Achilles heel" being used to describe a person's one weakness.

While some scholars once dismissed the Trojan War as pure myth, modern archaeological evidence has suggested that it may have been a real event. Excavations at the ancient site of Troy have revealed evidence of a long period of conflict and destruction, and historians have found similarities between the tale as it is told in ancient texts and what is known about the region's history at the time. While many details of the Trojan War are still shrouded in mystery, it seems increasingly likely that it was not just a legend but a real event that has been passed down through the ages.

History of the tradition of decorating boats for Christmas

One of the most interesting Greek Christmas traditions to me is the one where people decorate boats. So, I started to research the history. Here's a bit of what I discovered:

The roots of the tradition of decorating boats in Greece for Christmas can be traced back to the country's longstanding ties with the sea. In Ancient Greece, people would often looked to the sea for both sustenance and inspiration, and it was not uncommon for ships to be adorned with religious symbols and decorations.

It also has ties to early Christianity in Greece. According to Greek Orthodox beliefs, Saint Nicolas (aka Santa Claus) was a sailor, and he is the patron saint of sailors. Decorating boats is often seen as a way to honor him.

Over time, this practice became associated with the Christmas season, and the boats began to be decorated specifically for the holiday.

People also make paper boats to decorate. Some call these the "yule boat" or karavaki. One of the most famous examples of this practice is the Yule boat, or karavaki.

The earliest known evidence of decorating boats for Christmas in Greece dates back to the 19th century. During this time, sailors would deck out their boats with lights and tiny boats. These tiny boats were often placed inside the larger boat, symbolizing protection from harm while at sea.

Does anyone have anything to add?
Share and discuss Greek history!

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