My Ancestry
Greek Genealogy Records
Top 16 Resources for Greek Genealogy Records
Are you searching for Greek genealogy records to trace your Greek ancestry but unsure where to begin?
You’re not alone. Many Greeks ask themselves the same question – How do I find my Greek ancestors? This is why we’ve compiled a list of 14 great resources for Greek genealogy records to help you get started.
Top 14 Resources for Greek Genealogy Records
1. The ancestry of your Greek last name article
Are you struggling to find Greek genealogy records for your family and not sure where to begin? Sometimes, looking at your Greek last name can point you in the right direction. The article here provides 28 Greek surname suffixes (surname endings) and identifies where they likely originated. Although, this isn’t always accurate, it can help you refine your search if you have hit a hurdle. For example, if the Greek surname you’re researching ends in –akis, then you may like to focus your search in Crete.
2. Ancestry records
Ancestry (Ancestry.com) is the largest database of genealogy records, with over 20 billion records including court records, newspapers, voter records, birth, marriage, and death certificates. As the largest and most popular DNA testing website, Ancestry continues to accumulate new data. Therefore, by taking an Ancestry DNA test, you will more likely be matched with distant relatives who may hold the key to the answers and Greek genealogy records you seek. Ancestry will also update your results as they continue to grow their database and refine the results, making them even more accurate.
3. MyHeritage records
MyHeritage holds one of the largest databases of Greek genealogy records. MyHeritage’s DNA test is also very reputable and worth taking. Although MyHeritage’s database is not as large as Ancestry’s – with 4.1 billion profiles, 59 million users, and 54 million family trees – there is also a high chance that you will be matched with distant relatives who may hold the key to the answers and Greek genealogy records you seek.
4. Your local Greek Orthodox Churches
It may surprise you to learn how many Greek genealogy records are available from your local Greek Orthodox Church or the local Greek Orthodox Church of the area you are searching in. Greek Orthodox Churches were the place where many Greeks throughout history held official ceremonies such as christenings (baptisms), weddings, and funerals. Therefore, many official documents relating to these ceremonies are housed in Greek Orthodox Churches. Additionally, as oppose to documents in government buildings, Greek genealogy records in churches are more likely to have survived countless wars and Ottoman occupation. The challenge however, is that many records housed in churches are not digitized and in poor condition. Still, it is certainly worth calling up churches in the villages and towns in which you are searching.
5. Hellenic Genealogy Geek Facebook group
Hellenic Genealogy Geek Facebook group is a companion to the Hellenic Genealogy Geek Blog established by Georgia Keilman. The group is filled with Greek genealogy experts such as Georgia Keilman and Carol Kostakos Petranek, but also many avid Greek genealogy aficionados who are very generous with their time, helping fellow members in their Greek genealogy journeys. Greek genealogy records are often shared in the group and members can help you find the specific records you are after. With over 26,000 members, this is a great resource!
Click here to join the Hellenic Genealogy Geek Facebook group.
6. Hellenic Genealogy Resources Facebook group
Hellenic Genealogy Resources is another useful Facebook group for Greek genealogy records and assistance. Admins and members in this group are also very generous and able to help you with Greek genealogy questions. This Facebook group is considerably smaller than the Hellenic Genealogy Geek group and predominantly focuses on Greek genealogy records from the United States. Regardless of where you are up to in Greek genealogy journey, this Facebook group is a great resource.
Click here to join the Hellenic Genealogy Resources Facebook group.
7. Greek Ancestry & History Facebook group
Greek Ancestry & History is a Facebook group established by Dorothy Stavros to support the Greek diaspora in learning about Greek genealogy and history. Dorothy and her admins strive to help others in their journey.
The group has helped many members who have struggled to trace their ancestry due to Greek surnames being changed (mostly as a result of persecution and migration) and following the trail, through documents combined and facts, to solve the mystery of their Greek ancestry.
Click here to join the Greek Ancestry & History Facebook group.
8. Greek Ancestry website
Greek Ancestry is a website established by historian Gregory Kontos. An expert in Greek migration history, Gregory is a leader in the Greek genealogy community. The website offers searchable databases, allowing you to access an immense number and variety of Greek genealogy records from all over Greece and the Greek Diaspora. Greek Ancestry also launches educational initiatives that provide you with tools required to effectively research your Greek ancestry.
Click here to visit the Greek Ancestry website.
9. Hellenic Genealogy Geek website
Hellenic Genealogy Geek website is the latest resource launched by Georgia Stryker Keilman.
Georgia created the website out of frustration with the lack of a central organised repository of Greek genealogy resources. Facebook groups have many great resources posted by many members, which get lost as new posts are made. On this website, you will find over 1,900 links, sorted by category.
Click here to visit the Hellenic Genealogy Geek website.
10. Guide to creating your Greek family tree article
Whether you’re just beginning your Greek genealogy research or further along in your journey, creating a family tree is an important step. In this article, you’ll learn how to create your Greek family tree and compile your Greek genealogy records.
Click here to receive your guide to creating your Greek family tree.
11. Hellenic Genealogy Geek blog
The Hellenic Genealogy Geek blog, established by Georgia Keilman, has over 2,400 resources for Greek genealogy records and the ability to search for over 40,000 surnames.
Click here to visit the Hellenic Genealogy Geek blog.
12. Spartan Roots website
Spartan Roots is a website established by Greek genealogy professional Carol Kostakos Petranek. For the past several years, Carol has volunteered to preserve records in her ancestral area of Sparta. She has digitized and continues to digitize Greek genealogy records in the city of Sparta and over 140 villages within Laconia. You can access records and other resources via her website.
Click here to visit the Spartan Roots website.
13. Forebears website
Forebears claims to be the largest database of name meanings and distributions. You can search first names and surnames via this website and it will bring up how many instances of that name currently exist in each country, the meaning, demographics, and links to MyHeritage records with that name.
Click here to search your surname on Forebears.
14. Vrisko Greek surname finder app
Vrisko is a Greek finder app and has Greek surname finder feature called “Από πού κρατάει η σκούφια σου;”. Search your surname and the app will show you where in Greece your name is from. The data is based on phone number registrations within Greece. This app is in Greek and really only useful if you can read and write Greek (or know someone that does).
Click here to search your surname on Vrisko.
15. General State Archives of Greece (GAK) website
GAK is a website that houses the general state archives of Greece and provides you with contact information for the regional services in Greece. Although the website is in Greek, it can be translated to English. If you are accessing the website via Google Chrome, simply right click on the page and select “Translate to English”.
Click here to search the General State Archives of Greece (GAK) website.
16. FamilySearch website
FamilySearch is a nonprofit family history organization dedicated to connecting families across generations. Considered the largest genealogy organisation worldwide, with over 4 billion names on record and almost 5,000 centers. As a free website and with free 24/7 expert phone support, this is a great free resource for searching your Greek genealogy records!
Are you commencing your Greek genealogy journey? Begin your journey with the most simple and accurate step – a DNA test.