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Post by florence on Jul 21, 2013 19:13:35 GMT 10
Hi Nicholas
The other day I was talking to a cousin, Anastasia/Daisy Panourias (nee Augustes) who told me that her maternal Great-Grandfather was originally a Cypriot, surname Georgiou, who as a 7 year old was adopted by a Castellorizian family as his father feared he would be called up as a Janissary. (Even though there was no immediate threat the father wanted his son beyond reach.) Apparently, a Cassie merchant trader visiting Cyprus took the boy at the father's request and was 'adopted' by this Cassie family, yet kept his surname of Georgiou. Daisy is not sure of the Cassie family's name. This young boy ended up marrying his "adoptive" sister.
I am not sure about the dates - all I know is that Daisy's mother Flora Georgiou was born in 1905 in Castellorizo - so maybe the mid 19th century???
Can you please tell me more about this corps? Was Castellorizo a common destination/refuge for such young boys? If the above story is accurate why was Castellorizo seen as a safer haven than Cyprus?
Regards Florence
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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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