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Post by Administrator on May 29, 2008 8:36:34 GMT 10
Maria Doensen of Melbourne has posted the following query regarding her grandparents:
I like to know more about Emmanuel Fermanis and married to Maria Kannis from Castellorizo they came to Australia in Perth gave birth to girl Rosie then later on few year time they came to Melbourne and gave other five children in Melbourne and know any background Emmanuel grandfather and Maria grandmother and where they born I know is hard to find more background and is in USA or England thank you I am Maria Doensen is my grandfather Emmanuel fermanis and grandmother maria kannis I live in melbourne Nth Ringwood
Emmanuel Nikolaou Spyrou Fermanis married Maria Kotsou Kanni on Castellorizo on 21 February 1914. I am sure other members of this Forum can supply you with further information.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 29, 2008 8:26:12 GMT 10
Maria,
I have started a new thread on the Genealogy Board to answer your question regarding the marriage of Emmanuel Fermanis and Maria Kanni.
Please do become a member of this Forum to make communication easier.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 17, 2008 11:05:34 GMT 10
Please e-mail me via the website 'Contact' link with your address details and I will post you a copy.
If you have access to any any photos shot on the island prior to WWII, please also let me know.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 16, 2008 18:07:44 GMT 10
Diamantaris Yeorgiou Kailis was born on 15 February 1864. He married Konstandina Agapitou on 28 January 1901. He arrived in Australia alone on 21 June 1905, settling first in Perth for 5 months, and then in Day Dawn. He was naturalised in 1907 as 'Diamandi Kailis'.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 15, 2008 16:23:57 GMT 10
All members of the various Spartalis clans originally hail from the town of Isparta in western Turkey, hence their surname. Many of these families descended to the southern coast of Anatolia in the 19th century and settled in places like Kalamaki, Makri, Livisi and, later, Castellorizo. There was a 'Spartalis' presence on Castellorizo from as early as the mid-19th century.
As you say, Mihail Stavrianou Spartalis was born in Kalamaki in c. 1887. There is a dowry contract for him dated 5 December 1907 by which he was betrothed to marry Alexandra Mihail K. Atherinou 'after 2 years'. I believe this wedding never took place and that Mihail married Despina Christofilia the following year. Curiously, there is no dowry contract for this marriage, so the parties either married elsewhere or the bride was not originally from Castellorizo. Perhaps there are others who know why...
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 15, 2008 10:50:18 GMT 10
Mihail Vasileiou Avdelides (as his name is recorded in his wedding contract) married Stavroula Nikolaou Spartali on 19 February 1928.
The groom is described as a carpenter by trade. The gift of 100 English pounds was to be paid to the groom when the bride's two younger brothers, Mihail & Haralambos, reached their majority. One of the two witnesses to the contract is the bride's uncle, Mihail Stavrou Spartalis.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 14, 2008 19:31:38 GMT 10
Allan,
'Agapitou' is merely the possessive (genitive) version of the male first name 'Agapitos', a name fairly common in the islands.
As far as I know, there were at least two distinct clans on Castellorizo which used the name 'Agapitos' as a permanent surname, sometimes interchangeably with their 'true' surname. There was the family you refer to (and belong to), and there was also an 'Agapitou' family from Livisi in Asia Minor that moved to the island after 1922. The teacher Triantafylia Agapitou, whom we see in many of the school photos of the period, married into this family.
But I have also found other examples of the children of (for example) an 'Agapitos' adopting the name 'Agapitou' as a surname, sometimes only for one generation. Commonly, males signed only with their first name and their father's name, and the naming of people thus became a fairly fluid thing, at least until the early twentieth century. So we must be cautious when drawing links between (supposed) family members. Castellorizo was a larger place than we sometimes imagine it to be...
I'll post more information on the Kailis/Agapitou marriage you refer to tomorrow.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 13, 2008 12:47:29 GMT 10
Katina,
Anastasia Diamond (nee Kambouris) is indeed alive and well and residing in Kingsford. She is 97 years young (born 25 April 1911) and very lucid.
I had the pleasure of interviewing her a couple of weeks back and the experience was both a moving and memorable one for me.
My thanks to Bill and his Mum for permitting me access to their wonderful yiayia/mother.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 9, 2008 13:10:09 GMT 10
The circumstances surrounding the sudden death of Mihail Stav. Spartalis on Castellorizo have long been shrouded in considerable mystery. For an analysis of some of these events, see the article on the Mouzahres uprising on the History Board of www.castellorizohistory.com. It should be made clear here that, while there were undoubtedly many serious allegations made at the time regarding the cause of Spartalis' untimely death, and, in particular, about the role that mayor Ioannis Lakerdis played in it, none of these allegations were ever proven to be true. Nevertheless, Lakerdis' unclear role in the entire affair did serve to contribute to his own downfall some years later when he was ousted from office in controversial circumstances. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 9, 2008 8:05:07 GMT 10
Aikaterini (Katerna) Ioannou Koutsoukou married Spyros Yeorgiou Fermanis on 5 February 1906. Aikaterini's father was Ioannis Konstandinou Koutsoukos.
As you have observed, Spyros died soon after the marriage, and Aikaterini re-married on 12 October 1914 (not 1928) to Nikolaos Stavrianou Spartalis. By the time of her second marriage, her father had also died, and her two brothers, Iakovos & Mihail, had assumed responsibility for her and they signed her (new) dowry contract on her behalf.
Let me know if you would like further information.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 5, 2008 17:16:36 GMT 10
Antonis Aristeidou Ghikas was an important personality in the first half of the twentieth century on Castellorizo.
Born on 29 September 1896 on the island of Corfu, Ghikas was a skilled linguist with proficiency in Italian and French. After leaving his native island at a young age, he completed his schooling, and later served as a teacher in French and mathematics, in Alexandria. He then took up employ with the French Consulate through which he began service in the French navy. He first arrived on Castellorizo in late 1916 as an interpreter for the French forces stationed there. While the island was still a French colony, he served as chief of staff in the governor's office.
Later, he was to serve the Italian administration of the island, both as interpreter and as a senior civil servant, until the Italian surrender in Sepember 1943.
Ghikas married Despina Panagiotou Paleologou on 12 September 1920 and they established their home in a house on the Mandraki. They had, I believe, seven children, 4 boys and 3 girls. Today, the families of these children live as far afield as Adelaide, Athens and Venezia.
Others who are Members of this Forum should hopefully have more to add.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Apr 30, 2008 17:05:47 GMT 10
Stefan,
The original page from the calendar, which I have in my private collection, measures approx 25x15 cm (painting only).
I would be happy to send you a larger scan if you wish. Please e-mail me with your preferred recipient address via the Contact link on the website.
It certainly makes a great desktop background!
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Apr 30, 2008 12:28:55 GMT 10
Allan,
This is the wedding of Antonas Kyriakou Antonas and Chrysanthe Vasiliou Tsakalou from late 1942. It is one of the last weddings held on Castellorizo before the civilian evacuation in October 1943.
The couple's offspring reside in Adelaide. Among the families represented in the photo are members of the Fermanis, Paltoglou, Manettas, Papaioannou, Boyatzis, Exintaris, Kakas and Livissianis families.
I will post a more detailed list of the persons pictured soon.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Apr 23, 2008 18:46:42 GMT 10
In early 1943, an Italian export company, Mabo SA, sponsored the publication of a calendar that featured 12 watercolours of the Dodecanese islands, then under Italian dominion. The month of June was adorned by a charming watercolour of the Kavos promontory by an unknown artist. It is reproduced here: Most prominent in the painting is Florestano di Fausto's beautiful Palazzina della Delegazione which was erected in 1926 as part of the Italian regime's ambitious programme of colonial construction in the islands. As is well known, the building only stood for some fifteen years before its destruction in the hostilities in February 1941, curiously two years before the calendar's publication. Today, its surviving lower level, which serves as one of the island's bars, is the only reminder of its former grandeur. To the right stand the some of the houses of Kavos and the eighteenth century mosque which has recently been re-opened as a museum of the island's more recent history. Another irony of this calendar is that Castellorizo was to be taken by the Allies in September 1943 following Italy's surrender, while the calendar was still in circulation. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Mar 23, 2008 17:27:11 GMT 10
Allan, Here are some of the names: 1. Kyriakos Gonios 2. Pantazis Pantazides 3. Ioannis Pan. Hatziyiannakis 4. Spyros Diamandaras 5. Panayiotis Hatziyiannakis 6. Yeorgios Pispinis 7. Mihalis Nittis 8. Mihalis Hatzikomianos 9. Evangelos Gravas ( o Syrianos) 9. Yeorgios Stef. Paltoglou (rear) 10. Apostolos Boyiatzis 11. Kostas Papastefanou (priest) 12. Christodoulos Passaris (municipal policeman) 13. Nikos Palaios (boys' headmaster) 14. Manolis Foundas 15. Antonis Ghikas 16. Vassilis Tsikou Galettis 17. Mihail Vassiliou Theofilou (groom) 18. Efstratia Pantazi Pantazides (bride) There are others I can name, but these are the easier ones to identify. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Mar 18, 2008 11:26:37 GMT 10
Allan,
This is a photo of the wedding of Mihail Vassiliou Theofilou and Efstratia Pantazi Pantazides on 19 September 1937.
Let me know if you would like to know the names of others in the photo.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Jan 25, 2008 12:35:47 GMT 10
Allan,
A beautiful photograph that captures the elegance of school life during this period. I have made some minor corrections to names that I know. I hope others have more to add.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Oct 22, 2007 11:17:41 GMT 10
Here is a photograph of a boys' class from c. 1924 taken on the steps of the Santrapeia school: The first boy from left in the second bottom row is Yeorgios Anastasiou Fermanis, while others in the photo include Vanias Pitsikas, Adam Adamides, Ioannis Anast. Papanastasiou and Nikos Exindaris. If any members or guests are able to identify anyone in the photo, they are asked to post the details here. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Aug 27, 2007 14:38:35 GMT 10
Further to the above post, here is a photo from 1998 of all that stood of the Tringali gates. As mentioned earlier, this pillar has now been removed and no trace remains today of the residence of the Italian administrator of the island. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Aug 22, 2007 12:08:34 GMT 10
Castellorizo's period of Italian rule (1921-1943) carried with it mixed fortunes for the island community. While the later years of Italian colonialism brought undoubted hardship for the local population, significant benefits came about from the early years of the occupation. In particular, the decade between 1925 and 1934 was characterised by considerable industry on the part of the occupying regime, especially in the aftermath of the March 1926 earthquake, which signalled a period of public construction and other infrastructural improvements for the islanders. Most notably, the installation of a public power supply and improved shipping links were important initiatives for the community at the beginning of the 1930s. This period of Italian rule on Castellorizo is closely identified with the individual who represented the Italian Governor of the Dodecanese islands on the island. Salvatore Tringali (1876-1950) was until 1924 a senior finance bureaucrat based in Rhodes. In September of that year, he was posted to Patmos as delegato (delegate) of the Italian Governor. In March of the following year, he was transferred to Castellorizo, a post he was to retain until July 1934 when he and his family were transferred to Simi. Tringali was an energetic and much-loved administrator of Castellorizo. He lived with his wife (Rosa) and two sons, Massimo & Renato, at the governor's residence in Pera Meria (on the site of the present hotel). Below is a photo of Tringali, his wife and youngest son Renato at the gates of their residence. One of the two pillars seen in this photo was still standing as recently as 2005 but has since been demolished. Renato Tringali, the only surviving member of Salvatore's family, is now 87 years young and lives with his wife Alessandra and their family in Rome. They have visited Castellorizo in recent years and still retain a great fondness for the island and its people. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 20, 2007 15:49:21 GMT 10
George,
When you have a moment, please become a member - the more that do so, the more useful this Forum will become.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 19, 2007 7:07:01 GMT 10
George,
Ilias Yeorgiou Roditis married Maria Panagiotou Haralambou Kofou (from Karpathos) in February 1902 on Castellorizo. I assume these are your grandparents (?).
I think that Ilias had a brother Antonios who also married in 1902 on the island, but I don't believe that the surname Roditis was restricted to one family, because I have seen other examples of families unconnected to yours who were given that paratsoukli (nickname) by virtue of their link to Rhodes.
On the Kremastos side, Nikolaos Kremastos had three children who married on the island between 1908 and 1922 (Smaragda, Ioannis and Christodoulos). While I have heard of the link before, I am not sure of the precise connection between this family and the Roditis clan. Maybe others have more details...
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Aug 13, 2007 16:00:11 GMT 10
This photo was given to the Castellorizo Forum for display. It shows a group of young men on Castellorizo in the early 1930s in typical pose. From left to right: unknown, Panagiotis Roditis, unknown, unknown, Philippis Karpathios, Nikos Kazacos and Theodoros Kaperonis. Seated in the foreground is Loukas Tsabatsis.Any corrections or further information on those unidentified to date would be appreciated. Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Aug 19, 2007 9:00:16 GMT 10
Francesco,
Great photos - I don't think the first link is quite right, though...
Does you family have any link to Castellorizo?
Please feel free to become a member of the Forum when you post your reply.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Aug 18, 2007 17:06:16 GMT 10
Francesco,
Thank you for the photos of your recent stay on Castellorizo.
It's great to see that the council chambers (dimarcheio) were re-painted while you were there!
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Aug 11, 2007 7:40:49 GMT 10
Bill,
Thanks for these great photos of the island taken only a couple of weeks ago.
I have taken the liberty of adding a few captions to them to highlight the more important places of historical interest.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Jun 15, 2007 7:24:29 GMT 10
There is only one known photo of the devastating fire which destroyed much of the Kavos promontory on 6 July 1944. It was taken by a British officer of the Levant Schooner Flotilla, WE Benyon-Tinker, who had entered the harbour while the fire was raging. His account of what he saw is in the following terms: The fire, which had started in the usual mysterious fashion, had by then reached one of the houses where ammunition was kept. This was going off quite nicely, and the general atmosphere was redolent of a good pre-war Guy Fawkes night! Most of the houses along the waterfront were blazing merrily, and the place was covered by a dense pall of black smoke – heavy and motionless in the still air…we watched blazing Casteloriso in typical Nero-fashion – we had no fiddle, unfortunately, and had to do with the voice of Bing Crosby coming over the ship’s wireless. He sang better than we could have fiddled anyway! British laxness in dealing with the outbreak of the fire, as indicated by Benyon-Tinker’s casual reaction, led to a number of allegations against them regarding the fire’s cause, though there is still no conclusive evidence that the fire was deliberately lit. Here is Benyon-Tinker’s photo: Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on Aug 13, 2007 11:25:29 GMT 10
Milli,
To assist in identification, I have re-scanned and enlarged the image.
Nicholas
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Post by Administrator on May 23, 2007 17:14:44 GMT 10
Here is a photograph of the junior girls' class from 1928. The teacher in the middle is the headmistress of the girls' school, Anastasia Arnaoutoglou. Behind her stands Eleni Agapitou, who assisted in instruction of the junior classes. The other teacher at left is Evangelia Harami. I would be grateful for any names of the students that can be identified by members of the Forum. This photo was given to the Castellorizo Forum by Irini Livissianis of Kingsford, Sydney, who is seated at the extreme right of the front row of children. Nicholas Attachments:
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Post by Administrator on Sept 19, 2007 12:28:12 GMT 10
The earthquake was reported widely in the Italian press of the day. Here is an extract from 'Il Mattino Illustrato' (vol III, no. 15) which was published in Naples. The image to the left shows the density of the housing on the Kavos peninsula prior to the Second World War. The image to the right shows some of the destruction along the waterfront (the first single storey building on the right is the current bank). Nicholas
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