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Post by Administrator on Jan 7, 2014 16:41:59 GMT 10
Hey
Thanks for your post and for your news about the new publication in Brazil.
Are you able to tell us how to order a copy? I'm sure out Members will want to know...
By the way, I loved your guide to the island!
Thanks again, Nicholas
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Veniti
Jan 7, 2014 16:32:55 GMT 10
Post by Administrator on Jan 7, 2014 16:32:55 GMT 10
Hi Steve, You mention Constantina Ponirou (nee Veniti) in your message - see below her alien registration certificate from 1948 that includes her birth and marriage details. I hope this assists. Regards, Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Jan 7, 2014 16:12:45 GMT 10
Hi Florence,
The Janissaries hardly existed by the early 19th century and had faded significantly as a force much earlier.
Frankly, I find the story a little hard to accept if the date span you mention is correct. It's possible, of course, that it was a far earlier event and that the story has been passed down the line and the generations have merged in the memories of those recalling the event.
Basically, we'd need a lot more information to make any judgment on the story's veracity.
Can she be a little more specific?
Regards Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Feb 7, 2013 13:08:24 GMT 10
Not really, Florence - in the early period, the location of properties was communicated by citing the owners of the adjoining lots.
Later, the lots were numbered and allocated into parish districts, but this was ten or so years after the dowry contract here.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Feb 6, 2013 9:39:23 GMT 10
Hi Florence,
Your great-grandparents, Evangelos Emmanuel Avgoustis (a shoemaker) and Krystalla Papapanagiotou (a priest's daughter) married on Castellorizo on 21 February 1899.
Their accompanying dowry contract was signed on 18 February 1899 and was in the short form common prior to the turn of the century. It may be translated to read as follows:
There appeared personally before me today Papadia, widow of the late Fr Panagiotis, and Evangelos Emm. Avgoustis and they informed me that the said Papadia had betrothed her daughter Krystalla (to Evangelos) and gives to her by way of dowry a house next to the house of Nikolaos Ag. Nikolaou, 32 eikosafranga, a pair of bracelets, and a plot of land in Pera Meria next to the house of Nikolaos Barbousas which is to be shared with Kotsos Kannis. The wedding will take place on 21 February this month.
In Castellorizo today, 18 February 1899. [signatures follow]
As both the bride's mother and the groom were illiterate, they both signed with an 'x' which was witnessed by Iakovos H'Ioannou (in Papadia's case) and Agapitos Emm. Avgoustis (in Evangelos' case).
Evangelos died on 16 July 1919 aged 50. His cause of death is noted as kidney disease.
If you want to see either or both of these documents, please let me have your private email address.
Regards, Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Feb 4, 2013 8:38:35 GMT 10
Cristian,
Here are some answers to your queries:
Yannis -> Barbayannis 'Barba' is a common appellation for an uncle or a respected older person. Yannis -> Karayannis ->Karayanoglou 'Kara' means black or dark in Turkish, hence 'black John'. Yannis -> Deliyannis 'Deli' is Turkish for 'crazy' or 'mad', so 'crazy John'. Chrystos-> Chrystopoulos 'The 'poulos' suffix originates in the Peloponnese and means 'son of'. Chrystos->Cyristodoulou Christodoulos is a name in itself. 'Doulos' means 'servant', hence 'servant of Christ'. Diamandi -> Diamandoglou 'Oglou' is a Turkish suffix meaning 'son of'. Mihali -> Mihalakis The 'akis' suffix is the diminutive which is common in Crete. Spiridi -> Spiridou This is merely the genitive version of the same name. Dimitri-> Dimitraki->Dimitrakopulos See above.
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Gatani
Dec 24, 2012 7:58:17 GMT 10
Post by Administrator on Dec 24, 2012 7:58:17 GMT 10
Hi Allan,
This is an interesting one - yes, Aikaterini Ioannou Gatani married Kostas Vasiliou Kotsoglou well before 1906. But what we have in the archive is not their dowry contract, but a record of a hearing in that year before the Demogerontia about a dispute that arose between Aikaterini and her brother Mihail about the extent of her dowry (specifically, whether three plots of land set aside for her by her elder sister, Panagiota, were hers or her brothers). The Demogerontia ultimately ruled in Aikaterini's favour and the three plots were assigned to her as part of her dowry.
The only other Gatanis documents relate to Mihail himself (he married Papadia Christodoulou Hatzikoti in 1900) and Konstandina Panagiotou Gatani (who married Konstandinos Ioannou Syrianos in 1897).
Nicholas
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Livisi
Dec 18, 2012 14:35:34 GMT 10
Post by Administrator on Dec 18, 2012 14:35:34 GMT 10
Florence, The story of Livisi, modern day Kayakoy (literally 'village of stones') is a fascinating one and worthy of a far longer reply! Like many (predominantly) Greek towns of this section of the Asia Minor coast, Livisi had deep social and mercantile connections to Castellorizo from at least the early 19th century when there was regular movement to and from the island and the mainland. Castellorizo's tax exempt status had encouraged the first movement to the island from the town, but later arrivals were more the product of worsening conditions for Christian minorities with the onset of WWI. Livisi and its (then smaller) sister town of Makri (now Fethiye) boasted a combined population of over 6,000, most of whom were Greek, but there were also Turks, Jews and even Italians living in the town at the turn of the twentieth century. Livisi's population depended primarily on agriculture, but there were also some traders among them. From 1914, most Christians began to depart for good, many to Castellorizo, but only after some horrible massacres occurred, some of which are graphically recounted in a well-known text which should be available for you online: The Persecution and Extermination of the Communities of Macri and Livisi, 1914-1918 (1919) . Those that remained until after the War departed with the compulsory exchange of populations between 1923-24. Many Castellorizian families can trace a connection to Livisi and Makri. Some bore the name Livissianis/Livissianos as a remnant of their place of origin, while others bore names especially characteristic of the town. They were generally well-received on the island, though there are accounts of some discrimination in the early years. Here is a photo of what Livisi looks like today, a ghostly reminder of what was once a bustling town: Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Dec 6, 2012 9:47:02 GMT 10
Hi Cristian,
I have a few leads that may assist here.
We know that Iakovos (Jack) Christofis married Maria Yeorgiou Mihail Exikana in 1897. We also know that he died on 7 March 1908 of pneumonia at a young age.
Not sure if this assists but at least it gives some background.
By the way, do you know when Yeorgios Christofis died? I have a record of someone with that name dying on 11 March 1921 aged 62, but there is an extra name added (Sonikou) so I am not certain if it's the same person. Does it ring a bell in the family?
'Christofis' was the father's name, hence the eldest sons of both Iakovos and Yeorgios bearing this name. So it is possible that there was another surname or nickname that they used at the time.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Dec 6, 2012 8:22:51 GMT 10
Hi Alec, I have quite a few of these fascinating French documents, most of which I have sourced from our own National Archives (they were usually withheld on arrival). Have you searched online to see what is there for your family? Try www.naa.gov.au. From my own quick look online, there appear to be quite a few files relative to your family, but only one has been digitised for online viewing. You can apply (for a fee) to have more files digitised if you find what you are looking for. Remember also to search for variants of the surnames you are looking for. It was not at all unusual for names to be recorded incorrectly, or in an abbreviated form, when migrants first arrived. There are also some details of departures from the island in French archives, particularly during the war years. I don't think there are any references to the Protomastorou family there, but if you give me your mother's family details I will check for those. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Dec 6, 2012 8:13:59 GMT 10
Hi Alec,
Yes, I do have a copy of the municipal death entry for Nikolaos Konstandinou Protomastorou. He actually died in his home on 22 January 1921 aged 62 years. The cause of death is described as 'cardiac arrest'.
The originals of this and the other death records I have are held by the municipality on the island, but they are difficult to access.
Are you happy for me to post the document on this thread, or do you prefer that I email you privately? If so, may I please have your current email address?
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 19, 2012 13:32:15 GMT 10
Thanks very much, tughra!
Another great cover, this time from Dimtirios K Protomastorou (on Castellorizo) to Efstathios K Hloros in Port Said.
Note the French censor's stamp and the stylish pre-printed envelope.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 12, 2012 6:36:52 GMT 10
Despina,
A great story - do you still have the cross she was awarded? Can an image be posted on the Forum?
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 7, 2012 16:10:36 GMT 10
And, finally, here is the actual itinerary of the day's visit to Castellorizo: It reads: '4th day 1. Departure at night for Castellorizo 2. Blue Grotto in the morning 3. Governor's delegate to come aboard: tribute 4. Arrival at Castellorizo 5. Visit to church/castle 6. Return on board before breakfast 7. Departure to be at Kos the next morning' Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 7, 2012 15:57:50 GMT 10
Here is a still image of the King and his party as they are leaving the Cathedral: The sign above the entrance reads 'Long live the Royal Family'. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 6, 2012 14:19:27 GMT 10
As promised, here are a series of snapshots (with commentary) from the film of the Italian Royal family's visit to Castellorizo on 22 May, 1929. The film begins with a slow pan of the houses on the edge of the Kavos promontory as far as the Palazzo della Delegazione (or 'dikitirio'): The next two shots are edited harbour views that show two of the island's caiques adorned with welcome wishes to the visiting monarchs: Next, we get our first glimpse of the motor launch that has transported the King, Vittorio Emanuele III, and his family to the 'Blue Grotto' that morning prior to their disembarkation: In the next image, the King has disembarked and turns to wait for his family. We get our first glimpse of the hundreds of oriental carpets that have been laid out by the local population along the planned route of the Royal Family: Queen Maria Elena, their two daughters and their niece have now also disembarked and the King turns to wait for Governor of Italy's Aegean island possessions, Mario Lago, to lead them into the dikitirio: Lago, dressed in white, joins the King and turns to his right to call upon the island's delegato, Salvatore Tringali, to greet the King: Tringali comes forward and welcomes the monarch and his family to Castellorizo while the Queen moves forward towards the Castellorizian women who bow deferentially towards her: Passing the island's four priests and municipal councillors on their left, the Royal Family, accompanied by Lago, ascend the stairs of the dikitirio: Another edited shot follows - this time of the island's womenfolk applauding the arrival: A close-up of one of the women - Evangelia Ilia Louka (nee Samatatzi) - is next. Evangelia was chosen because she was the most recent bride on the island. Her marriage to Ilia Louka (Livissianos) had taken place ten days earlier on 12 May 1929: Next we see the King & Queen on the balcony of the dikitirio: And another (edited) shot of the women: There now begins a fascinating sequence that shows the long walk of the Royal Family from the square of Kavos to the Horafia where a special church service was to be held in the island's Cathedral. We first see the Royal Family as they descend the stairs of the dikitirio: A camera had been placed above the Efe/Stamatoglou shop in Kavos which allowed an aerial view of the proceedings: Their walk is lined by flag-waving locals who greet the Royal Family rapturously: As they approach the Horafia, the Royal Family is greeted by four female school students who nervously present bouquets of flowers to them. One of the young girls is Maria Dimitriou Paltoglou: Another short (edited) sequence of the women in Kavos follows: The King, escorted by Lago, is then seen entering the Horafia proper through the cermonial archway that still greets visitors today: He turns to acknowledge some locals who are gathered on a heavily-adorned balcony: Another edited shot follows - this time of the young men in Kavos applauding the Royal Family's arrival. Leading the group is Mihail Christodoulou Konstandinou: We jump now to the conclusion of the church service when official party is seen exiting the Cathedral and making its way back down to the harbour for the Royal Family's departure: Eagerly following them is a large section of the crowd: More shots of the women follow: After which we get a glimpse of the caique Anna, which was owned by its captain, Nikos Papanastasiou, passing the square of Kavos. It was the Anna that escorted the King's launch to the Grotto that morning as it was at the time the island's only motorised caique: The concluding images show the launch leaving the square: Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 2, 2012 7:49:29 GMT 10
Among the numerous fatalities during the years of French occupation were a number of deaths to the occupying force brought about by the hostilities and by disease. On 19 November 1920, Roger Deroo, a 21 year-old naval adjutant to the Governor, Raymond Terme, died as a result of an infection after only a few weeks on the island. He was given a funeral with full military honours in which the local population took part. Courtesy of the Deroo family (who recently visited Castellorizo for the first time since their family member's death), here is an image of the funeral procession as it departed the Cathedral of Sts Constantine & Helene: At left is local priest and Archiepiscopal Vicar, Ioannis Kisthinios. The four people holding the pall ribbons are, from left, mayor Ioannis Lakerdis, local doctor Christodoulos Konstandinou, Vlassios Antonas and second-in-charge of the occupying forces, Le Moigne. Carrying the coffin are members of the local municipal constabulary which includes Eleftherios Kaperonis. The archway just visible in front of the Cathedral was a temporary papier-mache structure erected by the Governor for the visit to the island of the Admiral of the French Navy, Ferdinand de Bon, two months earlier. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 2, 2012 7:31:20 GMT 10
To assist in the relief effort, a company of fascist 'blackshirts' was transported to the island. They were photographed at the gates leading into the cathedral and schools precinct: Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 2, 2012 7:19:29 GMT 10
Some Italian soldiers chose to record their names within the hamam in a style reminiscent of ancient times: Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Sept 25, 2012 8:09:57 GMT 10
Courtesy of our good friend in Italy, Antonio ('anvex'), here is a YouTube link to the previously unavailable footage of the visit to Castellorizo of the Italian Royal family on 22 May 1929. More detailed commentary to follow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OhlL7sm38UNicholas
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Post by Administrator on Aug 21, 2012 17:50:19 GMT 10
Cristian,
Sorry for the delayed reply.
Anastasios Vasiliou Piperoglou married Anastasia Diamanti Ververi on Castellorizo on 7 May 1922.
Anastasia's father was Diamantis Apostolou Ververis.
I hope this assists.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Aug 20, 2012 8:20:41 GMT 10
Hi tughra,
Another wonderful cover - thank you.
It confirms again the role Agamemnon Komninos played in Port Said for his compatriots during these years.
Your post refers to two covers though only one is attached.
Thanks again, Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Jul 11, 2012 18:39:53 GMT 10
Despina,
Welcome to this Forum.
To assist us, can you please provide their full names, ie their maiden names, if known, and their husbands' first names (which would have been their middle name after marriage).
Thanks, Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Jul 6, 2012 8:20:51 GMT 10
Cristian,
I think this is a reference to Anastasios Vasiliou Piperoglou who, in 1922, married Anastasia Diamanti Ververi on Castellorizo.
Incidentally, and this will interest Allan, the house of Vasilios Piperoglou was located next door to the house of Zafiris Xanthis in the Kavoulaki precinct. Of course, Zafiri's eldest daughter, Xanthi, had married Savvas Argyrou Berberis in 1901 and another daughter, Anastasia, had married Agapitos Spyrou Karasavas in 1911. In both cases, houses next to the Piperoglou house were given as part of the dowry.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Jul 4, 2012 16:53:34 GMT 10
Here is an image of the square of Mesi tou Yialou immediately after WWII showing the damage caused to the waterfront establishments and homes, in particular the arched cafe of Hatzikomianou and, beside it, the cafe of Yiannifou (Sergis). Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Jun 29, 2012 17:19:01 GMT 10
In the aftermath of the bombardments in early 1917, many of Castellorizo's inhabitants chose to depart for safer havens. Some traveled to Crete, while others moved to Egypt while they awaited passage to Australia and South America. Here is a shot of the section of the quayside known as Kavoulaki (or Kaoulaki) as boats are frantically loaded for travel. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Jun 29, 2012 10:09:06 GMT 10
Yet another magnificent Gabriel watercolour from 1916, this time of schooners (caiques) and smaller vessels moored along the quayside. The painting gives us an idea of the level of maritime activity in the island's harbour before the impact of the hostilities was felt. Nicholas
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Gravas
Jun 6, 2012 18:02:24 GMT 10
Post by Administrator on Jun 6, 2012 18:02:24 GMT 10
Sophia,
The only death entry I can find is for Irene who died on 21 September 1937 aged 74. Her cause of death is noted as 'heart condition'. The names of her parents are listed as Yeorgios Passaris and Christina Santrape.
Given that she is described as 'married' at the time of her death (as opposed to 'widow'), it appears that Evangelos survived her.
Hope this helps, Nicholas
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Gravas
Jun 6, 2012 13:37:03 GMT 10
Post by Administrator on Jun 6, 2012 13:37:03 GMT 10
Sophia,
Yes, I also know him as a shipbuilder from Syros, hence his nickname. You're probably right - the name may have originated from his father's occupation. Another possibility is that he made the clocks/timers for the boats that were built on the island.
The 1907 dowry contract I referred to contains no direct connection - as you suspected, it is merely a reference to a location in an unrelated contract.
As for birth and death records, I have quite a few copies here and am in the process of compiling them into a database. Let me know which birth/death you are after, and I will do my best to find it. Currently, I have here death records from 1902-1914, 1918-1922 and 1929-1937. I only have birth records for the 1929-1937 period.
Nicholas
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Gravas
Jun 6, 2012 7:59:18 GMT 10
Post by Administrator on Jun 6, 2012 7:59:18 GMT 10
Sophia,
Yes, I have heard this before and there is some further (earlier) evidence for it, aside from the 1914 dowry contract you refer to.
In a municipal death entry from 1902, Evangelos is listed by this name as one of the witnesses to the burial, while in a 1907 dowry document the house given as part of the dowry is described as being adjacent to his house and he is again described by this surname (rather than 'Gravas' or 'Syrianos').
Of course, 'Horologas' means watchmaker or watch repairer though I am not aware if he ever worked as one. Do you have any information through the family?
Nicholas
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